My Genealogy Hound

JOHN IRELAND is a well-to-do farmer of the town of Fayette, Seneca County, and his, place, which is conveniently located within three miles of Bearytown, is well cultivated and bears the improvements usually found on a first-class farm.

Our subject was born in the above town January 14, 1822, and is the son of David and Margaret (Frantz) Ireland, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to Seneca County, and upon reaching mature years were here married. The father was a very prominent and influential farmer of this section, owning the fifty -five acres of land on which our subject now resides; one hundred acres lying in the town of Fayette, and one hundred and twenty-five acres in the town of Varick. He was first a Whig in politics, but during the Civil War changed his views and thereafter voted for Democratic candidates. Religiously he was a member of the Reformed Church.

To David and Margaret Ireland there were born seven children, all of whom grew to mature years, and five are now living. John spent his boyhood days in farm work and in attendance at the district school, where he mastered the common branches. A little later he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith with the intention of learning the trade, but after working at it for two weeks, abandoned it on account of sickness and returned home. On recovering from this illness his parents would not give their consent to his returning, and consequently he remained at home until twenty-three years of age. Februarys, 1845, he was married to Miss Catherine Stahl, who was born in the town of Varick November 3, 1823, and who is a daughter of Michael and Barbara (Smith) Stahl, natives of the Keystone State.

For three years after his marriage our subject lived on the old homestead, being employed by the month by his father. At the end of that time he operated a farm on shares in the town of Varick, but during the gold excitement in California disposed of his share in the estate and made ready to join a party bound for that western state. This purpose he did not carry out, however, as the company abandoned their project, and Mr. Ireland then worked out by the day for a couple of years. He later moved to his present estate, which was then owned by his father, and which he worked for him on shares for a time. Finally he was given a deed to the place, and here he has resided ever since. In the ‘70s he erected a brick residence, which to-day is one of the best and most attractive of the dwellings in this locality.

To our subject and his excellent wife there have been born seven children. The eldest, Frances L., married Benjamin Sell, and is living near Cayuga Lake. Christina married Alonzo Stout, and makes her home in this county. Phebe Adelia married Jedediah Townsend and is living three miles south of Romulus. George A. is a substantial farmer of the town of Varick. Margaret is the wife of William S. Brooks and is living near Hayt Corners. Mary Ellen is the wife of Richard Murray, a resident of the town of Fayette; and Seymour W. is married and living in the town of Varick. Mr. Ireland is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote in 1844 for James K. Polk. He has never been an office-seeker, having his time fully occupied in looking after his private interests. Socially he is a member of the Grange.