William Edward Irwin and Marvin Elmore Irwin were early day photographers in Texas before moving to Chickasha, Indian Territory, in the 1890s where they had studios in Chickasha and Duncan. They were the sons of William Pinkney Irwin and Mary Frances Irwin who moved to Lampasas County, in the Texas Hill Country, sometime between 1873 and 1875. Ed Irwin apparently took up photography early and Marvin and Minnie, his sister, who were both younger, assisted him and became interested in photography.