Edwin Carlisle Irelan was born on October 21, 1875 in Baltimore, Maryland and was a life-long resident of the city.

His father, George, was commissioned a Third Assistant Engineer in the U.S. Navy on September 16, 1862 and was promoted to Second Assistant Engineer on October 27, 1863. He served on the steamers Pocahontas and Itasca of the Gulf squadron on blockade duty. He resigned on November 10, 1865. He was Past Commander of the Dushane Post No. 3 and Past Senior Vice Commander of the Department of Maryland, G.A.R.

Edwin was a charter member of the Dushane Post Camp No. 5 and would later join the James A. Garfield Camp No. 1, both of Baltimore. He was elected Commander of the Maryland Division on June 25, 1908. He was elected Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief at the 1911 National Encampment and Council-in-Chief at the 1912 National Encampment. In 1923, he was appointed National Counselor. At the 1925 National Encampment, he ran against C. S. Scott of the California Division and won by a 94 to 62
vote. He appointed the first Graves Registration Chairman during June 1926.

He started his career as an errand boy. He entered  Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg and after worked as a stenographer while attending the University of Maryland. He graduated in 1901 and was admitted to the bar the same year. He gained employment with the Agency Department of the American Bonding Company as an attorney. He was employed as an Assistant Secretary of the Maryland Casually Co. in 1931.

In 1919, he ran for the First Branch City Council in Baltimore's 18th Ward but was defeated.

Edwin was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, a Past Master of the Arcana Lodge No. 110, A.F. & A.M. and a Deacon of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Eutaw Conclave of Heptasophs, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and Royal Arcanum.

He married Carrie I. Haller and helped raise two step-children. After Carrie's death, he married Clara Norris.

Brother Irelan died on November 28, 1949 and is buried at the Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville, Maryland.