Irvin Shrewsbury was born in 1817 in Kentucky, but moved to Indiana with his parents. When grown he worked as a blacksmith until 1854 when he came to Independence township, homesteading on Section 26 on the Watertown road. In 1855 he moved his family here, his wife Jemima, four sons and one daughter. Later three children were born here Anna, Martha and Arthur.
Irvin Shrewsbury was enterprising and public spirited. He conducted a store and inn, served on the first town board of Independence, was postmaster, and was elected to the first legislature on the Republican ticket in 1859. Later he moved to Iowa where he died in 1871. Later his son Frank and his wife, Ida Ingerson, lived on the farm preempted by his father. Son Arthur married Eva Johnson, daughter of J. C. Johnson of Lyndale. Daughter Martha married William Styner, and daughter Anna married Orlando Styner in 1879. Their children, all long time residents of Independence and Maple Plain are Roy Styner, Louise Conover and Sadie Quaas, Son Irvin died in Russia in 1909 and son Glen died at Camp Grant October 10, 1918. Daughter Nancy, wife of Edward Beal died in Minneapolis in 1932.
