He was born in 1844/45 (5 [19 in 1864], 6 [19 in 1864]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5).
When he enlisted, he was a butcher, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5, 6).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair (5).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 9 February 1864 (1, 5, 6, 7, 12). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Shipley (5, 6). He was mustered in as a private, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Burke (5, 6). He was a private, in company D (1, 14, 15, 16).
On 12 September 1864, he was detailed as regimental butcher by Eli Sellers (3, 9).
He may have returned from being absent sick, on 18 October 1864 (10).
On 25 October 1864, he was relieved from duty in the regimental quartermaster department (2). He may have been the regimental butcher, since he was replaced by Thomas Irving (D), who was the butcher, at least on 20 November 1864.
On 3 July 1865, he was promoted to corporal, effective 1 July 1865 (1, 4, 6 [1 Jul 65]).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 7 [5 July], 12). He was a corporal, in company D (14, 15, 16).
In 1890, he was living at 1526 Cuthbert Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (7, 8). He was a stoker (8). Jefferson Bayley was also living there (7, 8).
On 15 August 1902, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (11, 12).
On 15 June 1908, he again applied for a pension (12).
On 9 December 1927, he died, at Lansdowne, [Delaware County,] Pennsylvania (12, 13).
On 10 January 1928, his widow, Harriet Irving, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (11, 12).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (William R Iving)
2 special order 102, HQ 91st PA, 25 October 1864 (Wm R Irving)
3 special order 78, HQ 91st PA, 12 September 1864 (Private Irving; reference 2 suggests identifying this "Private Irving" as William Irving, not Thomas Irving)
4 special order 39, HQ 91st PA, 3 July 1865 (William Irving)
5 company D, second descriptive roll, entry 37 (William Irvin)
6 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 7 August 2004 (William R Irving)
7 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 171, page 1 (image 1191 on Ancestry), line 7 (William R Irving)
8 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (William R Irving)
9 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 13 September 1864 (Private Irving)
10 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 18 October 1864 [the consolidated morning report for 19 Oct 64 repeats this remark] (Privt Irving; may be Thomas Irving)
11 pension index, by name (William R Irving)
12 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company D (William R Irving)
13 Pennsylvania death indices, 1927 ('Irving,William R;--116079;Lansdowne;Dec.9.')
14 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William R Erwin)
15 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William R Irvin)
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William R Irving)