Wahkiakum Co. Eagle-June 27, 1968 IRVING, Robert Edward Age 82, who died Sunday, was born in Cathlamet. He was the son of Thomas A. and Mary T. Irving, who were early settlers in the Elochoman valley. Thomas Irving immigrated from Ireland and fought in the Civil War at the age of 14 before migrating with the lumber industry westward until arriving in Cathlamet. He was a pioneer of this county, having been born and spending his entire life here. He was married to Maude Jones, and besides his wife he was survived by four children; a son, Melvin; three daughters, Margaret Hollar, Eugenia Bussone of Long Beach, and Ione Orth; a brother, Russell of Cathlamet; 11 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren. Although spending much of his early years on the family farm in the Elochoman valley (now the Ozment farm), Bob as he was known to everyone, engaged in other activities in later years. At one time he was engaged with Tom Warren in what was then a livery and drayage business as it was known in the old days of the horse and buggy. Their stables were located on the site of the present Feiring’s Building Material building. He served as sheriff of Wahkiakum county in the 1910s. In later years he served two terms (the maximum then allowed by law) as county auditor, from which position he retired to his home in Rosedale where he was living at the time of his death. Among his public service were two functions in which he served long hours without compensation. He was a member of and chairman of, the Wahkiakum County Selective Service Board during WWII, serving for many years until the board was consolidated with the Cowlitz County Board. In August 1958, he was appointed to the Board of Cemetery Commissioners of Cemetery District No. 1, he continued to serve by election thereafter until February 1967 when he resigned because of poor health. He was one of those instrumental in the creation of the District’s Perpetual Care fund into which all contributions to the district are accumulated with only the interest being used for current operations. He was a member of the Cathlamet Lodge, I.O.O.F., and of the Elochoman Grange. He served as master of the Grange in its early years. Services were held Tuesday at the Congregational church with Rev. Chester Shulda officiating. Dowling Funeral Home was in charge. Greenwood Cemetery-Cathlamet, Wa. 06 Sep 1885/6-23 Jun 1968 (As transcribed by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society 2006 from original newspaper collection.)