My Genealogy Hound

R. M. IRELAND, agent of the Southern Express Company and freight agent of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad at Lebanon, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., July 28, 1844, and is one of twelve children born to the marriage of Benjamin W. and Fannie (Stratton) Ireland, who were of Irish descent, born in North Carolina and Tennessee in 1789 and 1817, respectively. The father was a teacher by profession, but later in life followed merchandising and farming. He died in 1853. The mother was a daughter of James and Fannie Stratton and after her husband’s death lived on the old home place with her children until 1875, when she broke up housekeeping and afterward resided with her children. She died in Nashville in 1881. Our subject attended the common schools and one session at Chapel Hill Seminary in Marshall County. In 1871 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Sumner County, and held the office four years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Second Tennessee Cavalry, and participated in many of the battles of the war, serving until the close, not being wounded or captured during his service. December 9, 1867, he married Maggie Scroggin, who died in January, 1875. A year later he came to Lebanon and became night watchman for the Lebanon Depot, and eight months later was appointed express messenger and baggage master on the railroad between Lebanon and Nashville, and in 1878 was given his present position. October 2, 1878, he married Addie Kelly, daughter of Hanson and Annie Kelly, of New Orleans. Mrs. Ireland was born October 2, 1857. They have three children: Laura, Hanson and Fannie. Mr. Ireland is very popular as a railroad official, and in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of the K. of P., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.