Irving was born in 1860[1] to Herbert Irving, the son of immigrants from Dumfries, Scotland, and his wife, Catherine Dergavel. Irving, who was referred to by his initials J. D., had six siblings: two sisters and four brothers. In 1881, at the age of 21, Irving bought a small sawmill in Bouctouche, and would additionally own a farm where he would raise cattle, silver foxes, and grow vegetables.
J. D. Irving had a son and a daughter with his wife Minnie Hutchinson Irving. After Minnie's death, Irving remarried to Mary Elizabeth Irving (née Gifford) and had two daughters and a son, K. C. Irving, who would grow up to be an industrialist. J. D. Irving was considered to be a major entrepreneur in Kent County and was the owner and operator of "a sawmill, gristmill, carding mill, a general store, lumber business and three farms."[1]
J. D. is cited as being the founder of the modern-day holding company J.D. Irving Limited within the Irving Group of Companies. J. D. Irving Ltd grew significantly under his son, K. C., later his grandsons J. K., Art, and Jack, and their children.[citation needed]
