Edward G. Irvin was born in Spencer, Indiana on August 13, 1893. He graduated from Kokomo, Indiana High School in 1910 and entered Indiana University the same year. He assisted with the founding of Kappa Alpha Nu and served on the fraternity’s Incorporation Committee. After leaving Indiana, Irvin pursued a career in journalism. He worked in various cities throughout the country until he served in World War I. After the war he worked on the staff of the Indiana Freeman. In March of 1922, he established the Shining Star, a weekly newspaper in Anderson, Indiana.

The success of this venture brought a bid for Irvin’s services from the Gary, IN Sun. He accepted the position of editor, but later resigned to become sports editor for the Chicago Daily Bulletin. Irvin later organized and operated the Afro-American Manufacturing Company in Chicago, which produced novelties, candies and specialties.