Riverside County
Biographies
JAMES
NORMAN IRVING
In former years a civil engineer, J.
Norman Irving was closely indentified with reclamation work in Southern
California and now figures prominently in financial circles of Riverside as the
senior member of the firm of Irving & Conrad, investment bankers, with
offices at 3640 Main street. He was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada,
September 26, 1879, a son of William Irving, who was a native of Scotland, born
near Annandale, in the county of Dumfries. As a lad of twelve the father made
the trip to Canada with his parents, who settled in Kingston, where he took a
course of study which qualified him for architectural and engineering work. In
association with his father, William Irving designed and erected many of the
collegiate and public buildings which distinguish Kingston among Canadian
cities. In 1881 he established the Kingston Car Works, of which he became
president and manager. As a civic worker he also accomplished much, serving for
a number of years as a councilman of Kingston. At the invitation of Matthew
Gage, he came to Riverside in 1887 to act as engineer of the Gage Canal system.
Under his supervision the Gage canal was constructed from the Terquisquito arroyo to its present terminus and Arlington
Heights was developed. In 1894 he was made manager of the Riverside Trust
Company, Limited, so continuing until 1901, when his title was changed to that
of consulting manager, in which capacity he acted throughout the remainder of
his life. As an investigator of irrigation practice in Southern California he
rendered important service to the federal government from 1901 until his death
on September 23, 1904. At the age of thirty-four years he had married Eliza
Gage, who was born in Coleraine, Ireland, in 1839, a
daughter of James and Margaret (Orr) Gage and a sister of Matthew Gage, of whom
extended mention is made on another page of this work. To Mr. and Mrs. William
Irving were born six children: Elizabeth Brow, who is the wife of John M. Mylne; Margaret Eva, now Mrs. Stewart E. Malloch of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Kathleen, who married
Edward V. Trevelyan; William Gage, a prominent Riverside attorney whose sketch
is published elsewhere in this work; Robert M., a horticulturist; and J.
Norman.
The last named was but eight years
of age when the family came to Riverside, and here acquired his grammar and
high school education. His advanced studies were pursued in Cornell University
at Ithaca, New York, where he joined the Tau Beta Phi fraternity, and in 1911
received the degree of Civil Engineer. Following his graduation he was a
construction engineer for the Gage Canal Company until he engaged in irrigation
investigations for the United Stated government, and later located in Los
Angeles, where he was associated with the well known firm of Quinton, Code
& Hill, consulting engineers, who were intrusted
with large irrigation projects. Mr. Irving returned to Riverside in 1923 to
look after his investments and is now a partner of the business of Irving &
Conrad, dealers in bonds and other high-grade securities.
In 1913 Mr. Irving married Miss Joan
Malloch of Hamilton, Ontario, and they now have four
children, Joan, Robert, Mary and Lilla, all in
school. For relaxation from business cares Mr. Irving turns to photography and
although an amateur, he has connection with the Riverside Bowling Club, the
Victoria Club, the Los Angeles Athletic Club and the California Club of Los
Angeles. Manifesting a deep and helpful interest in everything that touches the
welfare and progress of his city, Mr. Irving is vice president and a director
of the Community Hospital and one of the members of the Riverside Chamber of
Commerce. He has always dealt honorably with his fellowmen and stands
deservedly high in public esteem.
Transcribed By:
Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: California
of the South Vol. II,
by John Steven McGroarty, Pages
441-443, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S RIVERSIDE BIOGRAPHIES