Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Richard Irwin

Male 1807 - 1845  (~ 38 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Richard Irwin 
    Born CA 1807  , Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Interesting suicide, business 
    Misfortune , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    committed suicide 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-115539 
    Died CA 1845  [1
    Buried North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I115539  Generations
    Last Modified 12 May 2024 

    Family Elizabeth Ann "Ann" Gouinlock,   b. 6 Jan 1816, Hexham, , Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Married 11 Aug 1837  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Children 
     1. John Irwin,   b. 1838, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Richard Irwin,   b. 1840, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Jul 1906, Clinton, Hullett Twp., Huron Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years)
    Last Modified 13 May 2024 
    Family ID F40460  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Richard Irwin was described as a short, slender, active and quick tempered man whose main claim to fame was in striking the first blow at Absalom Shade's economic monopoly in downtown Galt. Born in Ireland, Mr. Irwin succeeded, in 1835, in renting Mr. Shade's White or Cash Store from Mr. Shade's step-son, James Kimball Andrews. Mr. Irwin managed to find financial backing from Hamilton and soon had the store full of goods of every description at much reduced prices. It is said that trade in Galt was revolutionized in a single day by the reduced prices. Mr. Irwin did not remain long in the White Store but about two years later built a stone store on the west bank of the Grand River near the Main St. bridge. The store was later owned by Gavin Hume. He later married a daughter of Galt teacher John Gouinlock then sold the store and settled on a farm on the Blair Road near that of his father-in-law. It is reported that shortly thereafter he started to drink heavily and committed suicide in one of the rooms of his house.


      Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge

  • Sources 
    1. [S313] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1851, Pg.31.

    2. [S507] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Galt - First United Presbyterian.
      Richard Irwin & Ann Gownlock married 11 Aug 1837 in Dumfries, wit: William James & John Gownlock

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - CA 1807 - , Ireland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMisfortune - committed suicide - - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 11 Aug 1837 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth