Harrison T. IRELAND, who represents Richland township as a member of
the board of supervisors of Marshall county, enjoys the reputation of
being one of the most enterprising, though conservative, citizens of the
county, one who never courts popularity, but one whom his friends and
neighbors are pleased to honor with their respect and highest
confidence. His residence is on section 35, Richland township, where he
has lived as a boy and man for nearly forty years, not always upon the
same farm, however, but on one of two farms on that section. He is a
native of La Porte county, Indiana, born October 2, 1848, and is a son
of Pleasant and Matilda B. (NEWELL) IRELAND, the former a native of
Preble county, Ohio, born January 23, 1813, and the latter of Kentucky,
born December 11, 1811. She was the daughter of John NEWELL, who came to
Lacon about 1856, and later returned to La Porte, Indiana, where he
died.
Pleasant IRELAND was the son of James IRELAND, who lived in
Ohio, but late in life removed to Indiana, where his last days were
spent. The boyhood and youth of Pleasant were spent in Ohio, where he
grew to manhood on a farm, and his education was received in the pioneer
schools of his native state. He removed to Indiana with his parents, and
was there married to Matilda B. NEWELL, in 1833. Until 1855 he made La
Porte county, Indiana, his home, and during that time was engaged in
farming. Coming to Marshall county, Illinois, at that time, he resided
for two years in the city of Lacon, then settled on a farm on section
35, Richland township. On this section the parents resided until their
death, the mother dying November 15, 1890, and the father September 1,
1892. They were the parents of five children, two of whom died in
infancy. Three are still living, who are as follows: Frank N., a banker
of Washburn, Illinois; Harriet, wife of Isaac WIKOFF, residing in
Winfield, Kansas, and our subject. Frank N. was a member of the
Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and discharged his duties
faithfully and well during the dark days of the civil war.
Pleasant IRELAND and his wife were members of the Christian church,
having united with that body at an early day, and both were well
grounded in the faith. He was a close student of the Bible and well
versed in theological discussions of the times, able to hold his own
with any opposed to his views. For some years he served as deacon in his
local church. Politically, he was a republican from the organization of
the party, and in his political views was as strong as in his religious.
He cared nothing for the honors of office, we believe served in no
official capacity save that of township assessor.
Mr. IRELAND,
whose name introduces this sketch, was but seven years of age when he
came with his parents to Marshall county, Illinois, and here his entire
life has since been spent. His education was received in the district
schools, and, like most farmer boys, he was early trained to work, and
taught that he must do his part in the cultivation of the home farm. He
continued to reside at home, assisting his parents until he reached his
majority, when he began life for himself, and his active career has made
him one of the foremost citizens of his adoption.
In 1869 Mr.
IRELAND was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth M. OWEN, a native of
Richland township, Marshall county, born July 16, 1849, and a daughter
of Walter OWEN, an early settler of this locality, but who now resides
near Lexington, Illinois. She grew to womanhood in this township, and
received her education in the district schools. By this union four
children have been born, three of whom are now living – Frank B., a
medical student; Walter O., now residing in Washburn, Illinois; Zylphia
Ludell, at home. Each of these children have had good educational
advantages, such as to prepare them for useful lives.
Mr. IRELAND
has always been a farmer and success has crowned his efforts. From time
to time he has added to his possessions until he now owns one thousand
and sixty-four acres of well improved land, his home farm being well
stocked and all the buildings of a most substantial character. He is
thorough and systematic in all his work and gives personal attention to
every detail.
Religiously, Mr. IRELAND is a member of the
Christian church, of which body his wife is also an active member, both
taking an active interest in the work of the church, aiding the cause in
every way possible. For some years he has held official position in the
church. Politically, he is a stanch republican, and has taken an active
part in the councils of the party. He has been township clerk, township
collector, school treasurer of his township for the past sixteen years,
and for two years has been a member of the board of supervisors,
re-elected second term of two years and chosen chairman of the board in
1896. In every position held he has been faithful to the trust reposed
in him, and no man enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow
citizens to a greater extent.
Extracted May 2011 by Norma Hass from The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
Hon. Harrison T. IRELAND, whose position in public regard and
whose prominence in political circles is indicated by the fact
that he is the present representative of his district in the
state legislature of Illinois, is, notwithstanding the honors
that have been conferred upon him, a man of rather diffident
nature who shuns ostentation and display. His election,
therefore, was even a greater compliment to his personal worth
and his fidelity in citizenship. He is perhaps equally well
known because of his extensive agricultural interests in
Marshall county, where he owns seven hundred acres of fine
farming land and is engaged extensively in raising, buying and
shipping live stock. His home is on section 35, Richland
township, and he is a native son of the middle west, his birth
having occurred in La Porte county, Indiana, October 2, 1848.
His paternal grandfather, James IRELAND, was for some years a
resident of Ohio, but spent his last days in Indiana. His son,
Pleasant IRELAND, was born in Preble county, Ohio, January 23,
1813, and was reared upon the home farm in that state, while his
educational advantages were such as were afforded by the pioneer
schools of the locality. He accompanied his parents on their
removal to Indiana and was there married to Miss Matilda B.
NEWELL, who was born in Kentucky, December 11, 1811, and was a
daughter of John NEWELL, who after some years' residence in the
Hoosier state removed to Lacon, Illinois, about 1856, but
subsequently returned to La Porte, Indiana, where he died. Mr.
and Mrs. Pleasant IRELAND began their domestic life in La Porte
county, where he devoted his energies to farming until 1855,
when he came to Marshall county and for two years was a resident
of Lacon. He then took up his abode on a farm on section 35,
Richland township, where he continued to engage actively in
agricultural pursuits until he put aside the more arduous duties
of a business career. He retained his residence in Richland
township, however, up to the time of his demise, which occurred
September 1, 1892, when he was seventy-nine years of age. He had
for almost two years survived his wife, who died in 1890, at the
age of seventy-nine years. They were the parents of five
children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being Frank
N., a banker and farmer of Washburn, Illinois; Harriet, the wife
of Isaac WIKOFF, a retired druggist living at Winfield, Kansas;
and Harrison T. The elder son was a member of the
Seventy-seventh Illinois .Volunteer Infantry during the Civil
war. The parents were members of the Christian church, with
which they united at an early day. Mr. Pleasant IRELAND was a
very close student of the bible and was always able to uphold
his side of an argument concerning religious questions. For some
years he served as deacon in his church and his political
support was unfalteringly given to the republican party, for he
believed that its principles best conserved good government.
Harrison T. IRELAND spent the first seven years of his life in
the state of his nativity, after which he accompanied his
parents on their removal to Marshall county. He was a student at
different times in the public schools of Lacon and of Washburn
and in the district schools near his father's farm. When not
occupied with his text-books his time and energies were largely
given to the work of the farm, so that he became thoroughly
familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil. He has never
sought to change his vocation, but has continued actively in
farm work, adding to his property as opportunity has offered,
until his landed possessions are now extensive, comprising seven
hundred acres in Marshall county. He raises the crops best
adapted to climatic conditions and to the soil and is also
extensively engaged in raising, buying and shipping live stock.
On the 28th of October, 1869, Mr. IRELAND was united in marriage
to Miss Elizabeth M. OWEN, a native of Richland township,
Marshall county, and a daughter of Walter Owen, one of the early
settlers of this locality. They became the parents of four
children, three of whom are now living. Dr. Frank B. IRELAND,
the elder son, is successfully engaged in the practice of
medicine at Washburn, Illinois. He married a Miss STUBERT and
they have one son, Harrison B., now six years of age. Walter O.,
who married Miss Anna LUTZ, is a traveling salesman with
headquarters at Washburn. Ludell is a graduate of the Washburn
high school and is at home.
Both Mr. and Mrs. IRELAND hold membership in the Christian church, in the work of which they take an active part, while contributing generously to its support. Mr. IRELAND also belongs to Washburn lodge, No. 421, A. F. & A. M., and to Lacon chapter, R. A. M. His position is never an equivocal one upon any question. He stands firm in support of his honest convictions and over his private life and public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. Recognized as one of the leaders in the ranks of the republican party in Marshall county, he has filled various local offices, acting as school treasurer for eighteen years, as supervisor of Richland township for four years, and as chairman of the board for two years. In 1904 he was the choice of the republican party for the state legislature and received the endorsement of the public at the polls. On November, 1906, he was re-elected as a member of the Forty-fifth general assembly, so that he is now representing his district in the state legislature, where he has made such a creditable record. Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, Mr. IRELAND commands the respect of his political adherents and opponents alike, while personally he is popular, winning friends wherever he goes. His life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and characterized by the utmost integrity as well as activity in his business affairs.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from
Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
