Grundy-Bureau County IL Archives Biographies.....Ireland, Wilber July 30, 1860 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 3:48 am

Author: George B Harrington

Wilber Ireland, who carries on farming and stock-raising on section 7, 
Leepertown township, where he has a finely improved property of two hundred 
acres, was born in Grundy county, Illinois, July 30, 1860, his parents being 
J. G. and Eliza C. (Searl) Ireland, both of whom are now deceased. The father 
was born in Ohio, probably in Greene county, in the year 1831, and was only 
two or three years of age when brought to Illinois by his parents, Mr. and 
Mrs. Jonathan Ireland, who settled in Magnolia, Putnam county, Illinois. The 
father was a native of Virginia and about 1835 or 1836 removed with his family 
to what is now section 6, Leepertown township. The work of development and 
improvement had scarcely been begun within its borders, much of the land was 
still covered with the native prairie grasses and only here and there had a 
settlement been made to show that the seeds of civilization had been planted 
on the frontier. Jonathan Ireland purchased a farm at one dollar and a quarter 
per acre and at once began its development, for not a furrow had been turned 
nor an improvement made when it came into his possession. He made his home for 
many years on section 6 but about 1866 sold that property to his son, J. G. 
Ireland, and spent his remaining days in De Kalb county, Illinois, with 
relatives, passing away in the '70s, when more than eighty years of age. His 
wife had died upon the old home farm in Leepertown in 1860, when more than 
sixty years of age.

J. G. Ireland, father of our subject, was reared upon the old homestead farm 
and early became familiar with the arduous task of developing new land, while 
with the family he shared in all the hardships and privations incident to life 
upon the frontier. The occupation to which he was reared he chose as a life 
work and about 1867 he purchased the old homestead from his father, continuing 
to reside thereon until his death, which occurred in 1882. In politics he was 
a stanch republican, earnest in his advocacy of the principles of the party, 
for he believed that they were most conducive to good government. The family 
largely attended the Methodist Episcopal church and were ever found on the 
side of right, progress and improvement. J. G. Ireland was married to Miss 
Elizabeth C. Searl, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1832, a daughter 
of John and Elizabeth Searl, who came to this state in the early '30s, 
settling on what is now known as Searl Ridge, in Selby township. Mrs. Ireland 
was therefore reared in Bureau county, which was her home until her death in 
1897. Unto Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Ireland were born nine children, seven of whom 
reached adult age, namely: Albert, a farmer who is married and lives at 
Griswold, Iowa; Wilber, of this review; Viola, a resident of Princeton 
township; Mrs. Amelia Wade, of Putnam county, Illinois; Charles, Frank and 
May, all living in Leepertown township. The other two died in infancy.

Wilber Ireland was reared in Leepertown township and attended the country 
schools, wherein he mastered the common branches of English learning. During 
the periods of vacation he was set to tasks connected with the farm work and 
early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of 
the agriculturist. He remained at home until twenty-six years of age and since 
that time has been located on a farm adjoining the old homestead. He has a 
finely improved property, which comprises two hundred acres of rich and 
productive land that is now devoted to general farming and stock-raising. His 
fields are richly tilled and everything about the place is indicative of the 
skill and labor of the owner. He has also found time to aid in matters of 
public progress and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, 
have frequently called him to public office. He has served as highway 
commissioner for several years and has been school director for the past 
twenty-two years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. 
In this faith he was reared and his mature judgment has sanctioned its policy 
and its principles.

Mr. Ireland was married in this county to Miss Mary Rhyne, a sister of Timothy 
Rhyne, of Selby township, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. She 
was born June 4, 1860, in Leepertown township, and by her marriage has become 
the mother of eight children, of whom one died in infancy. The others, all yet 
at home, are Grace, Eva, Lottie, Loelda, Vernie, Dollena and Wilda.

Socially Mr. Ireland is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Royal Neighbors. His wife also belongs to the latter organization. They are 
members of the Congregational church of Bureau and having spent almost their 
entire lives in this locality are well known, while good qualities of heart 
and mind have gained for them friendly regard and kindly consideration.

Source: "Past and Present of Bureau County, Illinois", by George B. 
Harrington, A.M. Chicago: The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1900, Pages 471-472

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