Biography - C. H. Irion

DR. C. H. IRION. Among the people of Bossier, as well as the surrounding parishes, the name of Dr. Irion is almost a household word, for he has been an active practitioner of this section since 1884, and during his career as a practitioner of the healing art he has won an enviable reputation. He was born in Avoyelles Parish, La., in 1861, to Hon. A. B. and Caroline (King) Irion, both of whom were born in this State, the former in 1833 and the latter in 1836. The former was a graduate of the University of North Carolina, in the class of 1853 or 1854, and after leaving college began practicing law at Marksville, La., a calling he followed until the breaking out of the late war, when he espoused the Confederate cause and served until near the close, when he was elected to the State Legislature and returned home to enter upon his duties. After the cessation of hostilities he resumed the practice of his profession, and in 1880 was elected, by the Legislature, as circuit judge of the district, of which Rapides, Avoyelles, Saint Landry and Calcasieu Parishes compose a part, and served four years. Immediately upon the expiration of his term he was elected to Congress from the Sixth District, serving faithfully and efficiently one term. He was married in 1859, his wife being a member of a prominent Louisiana family. His father, Robert R. Irion, was born in Virginia in 1808, and with his parents removed to Louisiana about 1825, his father being George Irion, a major in the Revolutionary War. Dr. C. H. Irion was educated at home by private tutors, but his knowledge of medicine was acquired in Tulane University, Louisiana. He is now one of the leading physicians in this parish, and gives every promise of becoming eminent in his profession, for he not only gives each case a thorough diagnosis but studies each with interest and intelligence. He was married in 1887 to Miss Kate Stafford, by whom he has two children-a son and a daughter. He is a member of the K. of P., and in his political views is a Democrat, being a member of the Democratic Executive Committee of Bossier Parish. His wife is a daughter of Gen. Leroy A. and Catherine (Wright) Stafford, natives of Louisiana. The former was killed on May 9, 1864, at Chancellorsville, the same field on which Gen. Jackson was killed. His widow survives him, and is a resident of Rapides Parish.

Contributed 29 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass, extracted from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, published in 1890, pages 134-135.