Ireland History
Ireland is the outgrowth of The Irish Settlement. For the very first beginnings go to the Ireland Settlement link on this website. One particular family named Stewart (Stuart) eventually came to America and went to Virginia where it is believed that John and Robert Stewart were born. When they became young men they came through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky and on to Indiana. The Stewarts married two of Elizabeth Cartmill Green's daughters. John married Jane Green and Robert married Mary Green. Other early settlers were the Green, Armstrong, Anderson, Norman, Kellams, Hardin and Rodman families. John Stewart's military records of the War of 1812 report that he was with the U.S. Mounted Rangers in Missouri. He was discharged from service in 1815 and shortly thereafter came back into Indiana. These particular mounted rangers were once commanded by Daniel Boone. Robert Stewart had a gunshop in the settlement. Robert was also the first coroner of Dubois County, serving from 1818-1820. Coroners in those days also had among their normal duties, the responsibility of "fence viewer" and "overseer of the poor".
Ireland is situated on Highway 56 in the Northeast part of Madison Township, Dubois County Indiana. Ireland was first called American City, and its settlers were proud of its name and location. However, it was found that another town bore the name, the name was then changed to Ireland, in honor of the nativity of John Stewart. John Stewart, a veteran of the War of 1812, had purchased the land from the United States on December 23, 1816, a short time after Indiana became a state. John Stewart died in the fall of 1842. His son James, and four others laid out the town. The map is dated May 20, 1865, but the place was a small size village many years before that. By 1870 the population of Ireland was 370. The first known house in the village was built by Harvey Green in 1839. The second home was that of Dr.E.A.Glezen. The home also served as his office for over 50 years. Ireland was known as the garden spot of Dubois County. It is recognized that Ireland was settled by the Scotch-Irish, but in and during the middle 1800's many German settlers came into the area. Now the Ireland area is a mix of many cultures, with German being the largest.
In its early days Ireland had many lodges and organizations (none of the following remain today) including, Modern Woodman, Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, Pocahontas, Rebeccas, Grand Templars and Womens Christian Temperance Uniion (WCTU). Temperance of liquor was strongly practiced for many years in the community. Each time a saloon opened it seemed to catch fire and burn down. It was not until proprietor Hogan built his saloon next to the doctors office, that a saloon survived. Thomas Schitter actually obtained the first official license to operate a tavern in 1940. Tom called the tavern the Shamrock Cafe, the Shamrock has remained on the same location and is still in business today. The Shamrock is on the location of the first home built in Ireland, which is mentioned above. Other businesses included a blacksmith shop, a 4 story flour mill, two undertakers, a beanery (restraunt), two doctors and two dry-goods stores. A township libary was also ran by Mrs. William Monroe. There were at least three hotels in Ireland in the 1800's. The Ferguson Hotel, the Green Hotel and the Hardin Hotel. The Hardin Hotel was operated by William Hardin from 1859-1876. His son Issac ran the hotel for a number of years thereafter. Ireland had a race track and stables south of Ireland in the 1870's. Horses were bred, raised, trained and raced there. The operation was named Alder Creek Stables and was owned by Sebestian Anderson.
The first church in Ireland was the Ireland Methodist Church, which was organized in 1861. The church was completed in 1878. The church has been renovated from time to time and still stands on the same site. The most noted person from the churches membership was Lily Dexter Greene. She was a missionary to India for over 48 years. Lily was an 1893 graduate of DePauw University and later gained a PhD from John Hopkins University. She could speak 6 different Indian languages. The Womens Society of Christian Services (WSCS), in the 1940's, collected enough money in her honor, to build a church in India. They also called this church the Ireland Methodist Church. A super-centurian was counted among the members of the Ireland church. Minnie (Armstrong) Kearby, born on April 14, 1893, is still living today. On April 14, 2004 she will reach 111 years of age! The Methodist held services in Ireland for 118 years. In 1986 a movement was started by the congregation to attract new members. The district and state leaders of the United Methodist Church were summoned and were interested. These leaders personally looked at the area and the Ireland Church, they decided that the way to expand and get new members was to have a new start and location. 10 acres located at the corner of County Road 350 and State Hwy. 56 was selected and purchased. A minister, who had participated in other new starts, was sent to the area. This minister was Stephen Seitz. From this beginning sprang the Shiloh United Methodist Church. The first official services were held in the Jasper Community Arts building, there were 25 original members. In 2004 there are 480 members and 554 regular attendees. The church has a very active Sunday School with classes for all ages. The church has many bible studies, organizations and ministeries. Rev. Seitz remains the minister along with 3 assistants. In 1996, the Ireland church was closed. All remaining active members of this congregation became members of Shiloh UMC. Shiloh UMC has proven to be very successful and a great addition for the area.
The Ireland Presbyterian Church was built in 1885. This church was the outgrowth of the 1817 log church and the 1849 church at Shiloh Cemetery. Presbyterian Church services were held in Ireland until 1940. In 1940 the church closed and those who wished to became members of the Jasper Presbyterian Church. You may read about the early Cumberland Presbyterians in The Irish Settlement link on this website.
The St. Mary's Catholic Church was built in 1891. It was of wooden frame construction. St. Mary's was founded in 1890 with 37 original members and was a mission church. St. Mary's was served by priests from St. Joseph's in Jasper and by Jasper College. Father Anthony was the first priest. In 1904 a new brick church was begun and it was completed in 1905. The first mass was held on Christmas Day in 1905. There were 45 families in the parish at that time. The church has been renovated and remodeled over the years and is in outstanding shape. As of January 24, 2004 there were 986 families and between 1200 &1300 regular attendees. The church and the grounds, which include a cemetery and softball field, are always neat. Also on the grounds are other buildings used by the church, public, individuals and civic organizations. The church is one of the most active in the diocese. St. Mary's also hosts what is known as the famous Ireland Picnic. The church also has many active organizations, including the St. Ann's Society, Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent DePaul Society.. The present priest is Father Zach Etienne.
The pioneers of the Ireland area served in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Spanish American War. So, as the Civil War was brewing, the Ireland Home Guards were organized May 4, 1861. The home guards were trained and were ready to do battle. They mustered into the 58th Regiment on December 17, 1861. They served in the battles of Corinth, Ft. Bragg, Sherman's March to the Sea, Chickamauga and Murfreesboro. The soldiers wore the Union Blue in Company "C" and Company "E". Those in Company E gained the name and reputation as the "Sharpshooters of the Irish Settlement". Twenty-four men from Company E lost their lives in the Civil War. Ireland area natives have served their nation well in all the nation's wars since.
From the Ireland area, John McCausland became the first county school administrator in 1843. Rev. A.J. Strain also from Ireland, was the second county school administrator. He served for over 20 years. It must be mentioned that Rev. Strain, a Presbyterian Circuit Rider, named as such because they rode their horse from church to church and house to house to serve the people. He did this and also served the schools well. George R. Wilson, while he was the superintendent of schools, had Rev. Strain's picture placed on all the teacher's license of those days to honor the memory of Rev. Strain.
There have been many one-room school houses in the Ireland area since 1820, including the Stewart Log School in Ireland. These led to the first frame school house in Ireland being erected in 1862. The town continued to grow and in 1884, a two story structure was built on the site of the 1862 building. In 1896, two more rooms were added to the school. In 1905 the first four year accredited high school began. In 1915 a new school was built and a high school remained in Ireland until 1970. Go to the Ireland High School link on this website for further details of the high school. Madison Township schools were then consolidated into the Greater Jasper School District in 1970. Grade school continued to be held in Ireland. In 1989 the old high school building was torn down. This lead the way for the new state of the art, Ireland Elementary School (K-5) to be built. It opened it's doors in 1990.. Ireland Elementary School has attained the state's 4-star rating and won the coveted Indiana Blue-Ribbon award for being rated the best 4 star school in Indiana in 1999. Ireland Elementary was also nominated for the National Blue Ribbon award. Ray Mehling has been the only principal to date. Enrollment in January of 2004 was 376 students. The success of the Ireland Elementary School has greatly contributed to the growth and stature of the Ireland area.
The first U.S. Post Office near Ireland was one mile west of town. It was called Alder Creek, it opened in 1851. The post office was relocated in Ireland in 1853. The postmasters that have served the area total 27. The Anthony Wigand family held the position for 52 years. Anthony served 20 years and his wife, Clara served 32 years. The familiar green Shamrock cancellation insignia was used exclusively by the Ireland, Indiana Post Office on St. Patrick's Day. Permission to use the Shamrock Insignia and also to use green ink was given to Mrs. Wigand through a telegram dated March 15, 1955. The telegram was sent by the Postmaster General's office in Washington D.C.. The post office is in a green building located on Green Street in Ireland. Many around and near Ireland have a Jasper, Indiana address. The reason for this is that Ireland never did have a rural mail carrier. If you wish to have an Ireland, Indiana address, just go see the present postmaster of Ireland.
Sometime around 1898, the Dubois County Telephone Co. installed telephones in Ireland. These telephone exchanges were located in homes. The exchanges were run by "telephone operators". One such operator, Annie Morgan, worked at that job for 48 years. One telephone operator, Dora Lee (Meadors) Frank is still living today. The newer dial system was installed in 1954. Since then many changes have developed in the phone services for all areas.
In 1930 a high power line was run from Petersburg to Ireland. The citizens thus gained the use of electricity. In the early 1940's the Rural Electric Administration (REA) brought electricity to the town and the rural areas. The REA still provides excellent services for all in the areas they service. You can also get your telephone service through the REA affiliate "Touchstone Energies".
The early roads in and around Ireland were mostly dirt with very few rock roads. The eary road through Ireland was called the Jasper/Petersburg road. The road made a zigzag through town going north then west. From the Jasper/Petersburg road, turn north on Green Street, then west on Main Street, then northwest on Jasper/Petersburg road. It wasn't until 1933 that the present Hwy 56 was paved and routed straight through town. This greatly improved traffic flow through Ireland. In the early days, a portion of the Jasper/Petersburg, just east of the center of town, was fondly called Bill Street. This was because within 1/4 mile, there were five men by the name of William living along that stretch of the road.
Ireland Water Utilities supplies city water to the area. This utility started in 1966 with 200 customers. Today it has more than 1200 customers. A sewage district has been formed. The sewage district has much improved the town of Ireland and will allow further progressive development over the years.
Ireland has an efficient modern fire department & first responders. Go to the Ireland Fire Department link on this website.
Semi-pro baseball was played in and around Ireland for over a hundred years, from the middle 1800's to the early 1970's. There were at least five known locations where the team played in and around Ireland. Ireland used other names for the team but the one that lasted the longest was the Ireland Merchants. The Ireland Merchants got that name from the fact that the merchants of Ireland supplied the uniforms. The merchants bought the uniforms and placed their ads on the back. The team played many area towns through the years. Starting in the 1950's, the Deer-Trail League was formed. Ireland played in that leauge until it folded in the 1970's. The games were always played on Sunday afternoons. Baseball, in this form, left Ireland as the slow-pitch softball leagues came to the county. However, for those of us who played baseball for Ireland, there remains a memory that the years cannot take away.
During the summer the Ireland Youth Sports, Inc. has a summer recreation program for the youth of the area. Many citizens of the community volunteer time and effort to make this program a success. Most activities are held on the grounds of the Ireland Elementary School, the grounds also includes a great little leauge baseball field. . Also for the youth, we have the 4-H clubs, Girl and Boy Scouts and other local and county youth functions are also supported by the community.
In 1982 the first St. Patrick's Day was held. The idea to have an annual parade was born in the Shamrock Cafe in 1981. The idea was from Janet O'Schitter and Mary Jane O'Keusch. Food stands, bake sales and sporting activities supported the parade. Many other happenings were seen on St. Patrick's Day. However, somewhat due to bad weather that time of the year, the parade was discontinued after 20 years in 2002. Ireland is still the place to come on St. Patrick's week-end.
The Ireland Historical Society, Inc. has the "Walls of History" in it's building on Walnut Street. Go to the Ireland Historical Society link on this website.
Come to Ireland for fine food. Toni's Pizza and the Catfish Inn restraunt are in town. Spuds, a convience store and grocery, also has sandwiches. Two full course restraunts are in Ireland. The Shamrock has been in Ireland since 1940, it serves a full menu. The Chicken Place (formerly Leinenbach Cafe starting in 1949) also has a full menu of food. It's name tells you what the Chicken Place specializes in. Ireland is well known far and wide for it's friendly restraunts.
Ireland is a thriving place with a variety of businesses in the town. The Bank of Ireland began in the 1960's. This bank was purchased by the German American Bank, which remains in town. The Old National Bank also had a branch bank here, it ironically closed last year on March 17. Ireland is also located only 4 miles form the wood capitol of the world, Jasper. A large regional hospital is also located in Jasper. This provides many jobs for local residences. Many new housing subdivisions are being developed around the town and the future of Ireland is very bright. If you are looking for a place to live or a place to raise a family, look no further. Ireland is the place. The compiling of this history is ongoing and subject to being updated from time to time.
Perhaps the songwriter was correct when he wrote, "Sure, a little bit of Heaven fell from out of the sky one day....and they called it Ireland". Ireland, Indiana that is !!!
The information above is to the best of the knowledge, handed down information, research and historical writings that the writer has heard and found. If anyone has any other additional history or remarks, they are welcome. Go to home page and click on the writers e-mail link to respond.
to be continued
