Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Irish, David 1881
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Ionia Sentinel, 17 Nov 1881

The funeral services of Mr. Irish were held Tuesday afternoon at the 
Presbyterian church.  There was a very large attendance, nearly all the old 
citizens being present.  The pastor, Rev. James Lamb, preached a brief and 
beautiful sermon from the text:  “He giveth his beloved sleep.”

Prayer was offered by the Rev. Job Pierson, and the choir sang “Thy will be 
done,” and “Jesus lover of my soul”  The benediction was pronounced by Mr. 
Pierson.

----

David Irish, who died on Saturday evening, was one of the early pioneers in 
Ionia county, one of our oldest and most respected citizens.  He has lived in 
the county nearly half a century and so far as we have ever known, never made 
an enemy.  His death was not unexpected, for he had been feeble for some time, 
though his faculties were unimpaired, and is a fresh reminder, if any were 
needed, that time is rushing on, and that the inevitable day is not far off at 
the best.  Happy are they who can, like the deceased, leave behind them the 
record of a stainless life, and at the last meet death with the same fortitude 
and cheerful hope.

Mr. Irish was born April 8, 1811, at Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vermont, and 
was therefore 70 years of age.  He had exactly lived out his allotted time.

In 1836 he removed to Michigan stopping in Detroit, where he remained two 
months, when he came to Lyons in this county, where he lived, engaged for the 
most part in mercantile pursuits, until 1850.  In that year he came to this 
place and engaged in business in partnership with the late Daniel Ball.  We do 
not recollect just how long he remained here at that time, but he returned to 
Lyons, but soon after purchased the property known as the “Eagle hotel” now 
Bailey house, and for many years kept the model hotel.  All the old timers will 
remember the big fire place in the office, the excellent table, and clean, well-
kept beds, of the hostelry kept by David Irish.  It was before the days of 
railroads, when the old-fashioned stage coach, with its four spanking horses, 
used to drive gaily into town heralded by the sound of horn, and crack of 
driver’s whip.  There was no “inn” between Detroit and Grand Rapids, so 
homelike and popular as the “House of David” as it was called.

In 1856 on the accession of President Buchanan, Mr. Irish was appointed 
postmaster, a post which he filled with fidelity, and satisfaction to the 
public.  At an early day he held the office of county clerk.

Feb. 10, 1833, he was married to Miss Leonora Lyon.  Of this union were born 
six children, five of whom survive viz:  Henry D., Edward L., Delia (Mrs. L.F. 
Mills), Laura, and Nellie.  Emily, Mrs. Sidney Sherman, died some time since.

During his entire life he was a believer in, and professor of the Christian 
religion, and for many years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church.  Soon after coming to Ionia he joined the Presbyterian church, of which 
he has been ever since one of the most consistent and devoted members, and 
always had a firm faith in the doctrine of immortality.  For some years he was 
engaged in business as a merchant, but old age and failing health admonished 
him and he retired from business, from which for the last year or two he kept 
aloof entirely.  He was a model husband and father, a kind, warm-hearted 
friend, a good citizen, an exemplary christian gentleman, and an honest man.  
He lived respected, and died regretted.  More than that, mortal man could not 
desire.


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