F. H. Ireland was born in Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire, England, July 8, 1838. In the year 1861, when he was 23 years old, he came to America. It was during the same year that he was married to Miss Jane Parkhouse. It was 53 years ago, in 1868, that the Ireland family moved to Holton and settled on a farm just north of town, which has been their permanent home. During this period, which covers a half century, saw many changes and improvements ... His first residence was a log house, such as many of the homes were in those earlier days. The house stood south of where their splendid residence was erected. It was upward of fifty years ago that Mr. Ireland united with the Methodist Episcopal church. At that time the services were held in a one room building, the seats were made of heavy planks. As was the custom the Ireland’s rode to services in a wagon, and parents and family attended the services together, a custom which we are getting away from too rapidly. For a number of years he served as steward of the church. For a period of 55 years, he and Mrs. Ireland lived in the holy bonds of the marriage relationship. During the period of eight years before her decease, which occurred four years ago last August, Mrs. Ireland was in frail health. Since the death of his companion, Mr. Ireland has lived in the home of his son Howard and wife, Emily ... It was five minutes past one o’clock in the morning of February 28, that his long life of more than 82 years was ended ... Mr. Ireland is survived by six sons and two daughters. They are William R., Frank, John, Henry, Mrs. Jennie Smith, Howard, Bert and Mrs. Emma Canfield. One son died during infancy and his son Russell preceded him two years ago. There are 23 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren ... Burial was made in the family lot in the Holton cemetery.
The Holton Recorder, March 3, 1921.