Gaston, Joseph. "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders." Vol. 3. Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 643. MARION EDWARD McIRVIN Marion Edward McIrvin is a representative of one of the families earlyÊestablished in the Columbia river valley. He was born in Putnam county Missouri, July 31, 1860, and came to Washington with his father across the plainsÊmaking the long and tedious journey which at length brought the family toÊClarke county Washington, where he was reared and educated. After puttingÊaside hisÊtext-books he engaged with his father in the lumbering business nearÊthe Chehalis river for three years and in 1883 he turned his attention to agricultural and commercial pursuits, purchasing in that year forty-one acres of landÊincluding the present site of Felida. This land he cleared and thereon built a store and conducted a general merchandise business for fourteen years. InÊfact he became the founder of the town of Felida, named the place and through his influence the railroad station which was there established was also called Felida. Mr. Mclrvin was appointed postmaster under President Harrison and continued to fill that position until 1904, when he disposed of his mercantile interests there and built his present residence. While conducting his store he set out an orchard of fifteen acres and became an active factor in developing the fruit raising interests of this locality. For the past three years he has been connected with the salmon fisheries,Êpurchasing fishÊtraps at Chinook, Washington. In March, 1882, Mr. Mclrvin was married to Miss Etta May Lewis of King county, Washington, and they now have seven living children: ÊHarley A., Elsie, the wife of Fay Davis, of Felida; Eldon; Ethel, the wife of Hugh Miller, of Vancouver; Earl; Vernie; and Clyde. They also lost a son, Lloyd who was the seventh in order of birth. - Mr. McIrvinÊis well knownÊin various lodges, holding membership with the Elks at Vancouver, the Red Men of Felida, the Odd Fellows lodge at Felida and the encampment at Vancouver, while he is also a member of the Grange of Felida. It is characteristic of Mr. Mclrvin that he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. In this he seems dominated by the resolute spirit and unfaltering purpose which characterized the early settlers who, coming to the west in pioneer times, have reclaimed this region for the purposes of civilization and through its cultivation have made it a rich and prosperous district of the country. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.