The Ireland family of Johnstown, New York, trace their descent to David Ireland, who married a Miss Honeymoon. He lived in St. Andrews, Scotland, and they were the parents of two children: Rev. James, mentioned below and Margaret, married Professor Durey.
(II) Rev. James Ireland, son of David and ———— (Honeymoon) Ireland, was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, situated on the Scotch coast, where all of his children were born. He married Agnes Stuart, a descendant of the ancient family of Stuart, who prior to the days of Mary Queen of Scots always spelled their name Steward and Stewart, the name being derived from the office held by an ancestor, Lord High Steward of Scotland. In the year 1860 Rev. James with wife and children came to America, settling first at Three Rivers, Canada. After remaining there one year the family crossed to the United States, and settled in the town of Broadalbin, Fulton county, New York; later at the village of Sodus, Wayne county, where Rev. James Ireland was pastor for ten years. He later was at Marion, Wayne county, where he died September, 1873. He was a Presbyterian minister. Children, all born in Scotland:
- Ellen, married Edwin Danford (or Danforth); two children:
- Marion, married Henry Butts;
- Edwin W., married Genevieve McGeorge.
- John N. Stuart, born May 18, 1843; he came to the United States with his parents, and after several years spent in Niles and Cleveland, Ohio, in mercantile life, he settled in Johnstown, New York; in association with Thomas Rowles, and later with his brothers, he was extensively engaged in glove manufacture; he was vice-president of the former First National Bank, village trustee and water commissioner. He married, May 6, 1873, Kate M., daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth Dorn, of Johnstown; children:
- James Stuart, married Anna Stewart; children:
- Isabel, born August 18, 1898, and
- Helene, born February 7, 1903;
- Nellie Pierson, born February 20, 1877; married James Evans, and has a son John;
- Elizabeth D., born January 28, 1879:
- John, born August 21, 1881;
- Katheryn, born August 7, 1884.
- James Stuart, married Anna Stewart; children:
- James, a glove manufacturer of Johnstown, married Susetta Edgar; children:
- Stuart, married Isabella Stanton; children: Eleanor, Robert and Marion;
- Louise;
- James (2).
- David, see forward.
(III) David, youngest son of Rev. James and Agnes (Stuart) Ireland, was born at Forfer, Scotland, August 30, 1856, died May 7, 1909. He was four years of age when his parents settled in Canada, and five when they came to New York state. He was educated in the public schools of the different towns in which the family resided, finishing at the Sodus Academy. Not inclining to a professional life like his father, he became a commercial traveler for the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company, one of the leading dry goods houses of Rochester. He remained with them for several years, and in 1874 settled in Johnstown and engaged in the glove business with his brothers, John and James, the former having already been located there for some time. They built the brick factory opposite the Colonial cemetery on Green street, but in 1879 their business had so increased that they were compelled to erect the factory now used by the firm on West State street, which they subsequently enlarged. After the death of the senior members of the firm, John N. S. Ireland, his sons, James S. and John, were taken in as partners, the business still being conducted under the original firm name, Ireland Brothers. Later the Bridge street mill was purchased and David Ireland gave it his own personal attention, having given up representing the firm on the road, which he had done since the organization of the house. Some three years prior to his death, failing health compelled him to close the mill, and from henceforth he was not as actively engaged as heretofore. Mr. Ireland was happily adapted to his calling of commercial traveler, having a keen mentality that made him more than an ordinary business man, and being a ready talker and of a very genial nature, he applied his energies in such a way that success must surely follow. He also allied himself with interests outside of his firm, being a member of the Board of Trade, a director of the People's Bank, the Grand Opera House Company, and the Diana Knitting Company, of which he had served as treasurer. He was an attendant of the Presbyterian church, and interested in all good works. He was a Republican in politics, being a member of the county committee for several years, and serving as treasurer at time of his death, and his advice and opinions had great weight in the party's councils. Socially he was a member of the Lotus and Colonial clubs. Mr. Ireland possessed acknowledged business ability, was always approachable and affable to his friends, cordial and pleasant, and possessed that broad view of life gained in his long years of travel, that made him generous and tolerant of other peoples' opinions. He was honorable and just in all his relations with his fellowmen, high principled and upright. He married, October 30, 1879, Elizabeth D. Pierson, born January 25, 1860, daughter of Abram Veghte and Jane (Dunn) Pierson, of Johnstown. Children:
- Clara, born January 11, 1881, died December 23, 1883.
- Harriet, born April 3, 1885, died August 14, 1908.
- Leah, born October 30, 1887.
- William, born November 7, 1889.
- Elizabeth, born September 12, 1891.
Abram Veghte and Jane (Dunn) Pierson had other children:
- James D.,
- Amanda, married John J. Russell, M.D.;
- Charles,
- Eli, married Nora E. Dement.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Pierson) Ireland survives her husband, and is a resident of Johnstown, New York.