INNMAN, Irwin I. 

After receiving a good education in the common and high schools of Illinois and attending an excellent academy in that state, Irwin I. Innman, of Routt county, this state, came west and for a number of years was employed in the hazardous occupation of a fireman at Denver and Leadville, in which he gained vigor of frame and flexibility of function, combining as the result of his training in this trying field of heroic effort alertness of mind, force of nerve, suppleness of body and readiness in action. These qualities have been of great service in his subsequent career as a ranch and stock man and proprietor of a leading livery business. Mr. Innman came into the world March 26, 1868, in Union county, Illinois, the son of Murphy M. and Martha F. (McCurddy) Innman, natives of Georgia who moved to Illinois in early life. The father prospered as a carpenter and farmer in that state until advancing age obliged him to retire from active pursuits, and he is now living in St. Louis, Missouri. The mother died on November 14, 1903. Ten children were born to them, of whom five are living, Mollie J., Elizabeth F., Emma F., Zora and Georgia having died at various ages. The living children are Ira F., David H., Murphy M., Iva C. and Irwin I. The last named grew to manhood on the paternal homestead in his native state, and there learned the business of farming thoroughly under favorable circumstances. He attended the public schools in the neighborhood of his home, was graduated at a high school, and afterward passed several terms at Union Academy in his home county. In 1887 he started out to seek his fortune in the farther West, and coming to Colorado located at Denver, where he became a member of the city fire department. In this branch of the public service he did good work for a period of eight years, part of the time as a private and the rest as captain. In 1896 he was sent to Leadville to re-organize the fire department there, and when the re-organization was completed he was placed at the head of the department as chief, he having also been the purchasing agent of a new outfit for the service. He held the position of chief four years, then resigning in 1900, he moved to Routt county and, in partnership with Dr. J. H. Cole, engaged in raising cattle for two years. At the end of that period he sold his interests to his partner and bought the Thomas E. Ferguson ranch on Williams's fork, which comprised two hundred acres at that time. After greatly improving the place and bringing it to an advanced state of productiveness he traded it in May, 1904, for the livery business owned by E. B. Thompson of Craig. To this enterprise he has since given his attention with good results, building up a large and increasing trade and equipping his stables with every needed appliance for a first class business. Politically Mr. Innman is a Republican in national affairs and fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order. He was married on March 20, 1894, to Miss Maud A. Hodson, a native of Wichita, Kansas. They have had four children, of whom two died in infancy and Raynetta S. and Adella are living. Mr. Innman has made good use of his opportunities in this state and has prospered in all undertakings. He is a well esteemed and influential citizen, wise in counsel and vigorous in action for the general food of the community in which he lives.

Submitted by Irwin Michael Kirmer