Ireland, 200 and counting
Sourced from local sources, including www.irelandindiana.com
There’s a wee bit of Irish in everyone, even those with lots of German blood flowing through their veins.
Which is why everyone needs to hightail it to that most Irish of Dubois County towns — Ireland, Indiana — as the community celebrates its Bicentennial this weekend (see full schedule of events at the end of the article).
That’s right — Ireland is the same age as Indiana, the 19th state in the union — and she’s looking mighty good for 200.
So how did a county known as a hotbed of Germans Americans start out in its earliest days (this would actually have been before there was a Dubois County, as that was not established until 1818) as an Irish Settlement?
Well of course there’s a tale to tell — and that’s no blarney!
John and Robert Stewart (Stuart) were born in the Country of Ireland but the likely nomads eventually emigrated to America, settling first in Virginia. They soon ventured west through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky, and finally on to Indiana, where they found love (or at least women to marry). John wed Jane Green and Robert married Mary Green, both Elizabeth (Cartmill) Green’s daughters.
John Stewart was a soldier. According to military records he served with the U.S. Mounted Rangers in St. Charles County, Missouri, during the War of 1812, his unit once under the command of Daniel M. Boone (Daniel Boone’s son).
While in the military, he was wounded in battle. After his discharge in 1815 he returned to Indiana, where he purchased land from the United States on December 23, 1816, in the northwest corner of what would later become Madison Township in Dubois County. He bought this land about the same time a portion of the Indiana Territory gained statehood.
This land purchase was the establishment of Ireland, Indiana. According to Ireland’s history as recorded by Junie Himsel, “John Stewart built his mansion house on this land. A mansion house is described as two log cabins, ten feet apart, with one roof covering both homes. All of his life when asked where he was from he would reply, Ireland, at first it meant the country he was from and later it meant the town he established.”
His brother, Robert Stewart, opened a gun shop in the Irish Settlement. Robert was also the first coroner of Dubois County, serving from the county’s inception in 1818 to 1820.
John Stewart died in the fall of 1842. His son James and four others platted the town and the map is dated May 20, 1865, but Ireland began as a village in 1816, an outgrowth of the Irish Settlement.
The Stewart log school was built around 1820. The first known stick-built home in the village was built by Harvey Green in 1839. The second home was that of Dr. E. A. Glezen, Ireland’s first doctor in 1846. The home also served as his office for over 50 years.
By 1870 Ireland’s population was 139. While Ireland was settled by the Scotch-Irish, many Germans settled in the area in the mid-1800s.
In the early days, a portion of the Jasper/Petersburg Road, 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.
In the late 1930s, to get some needed income caused by the Depression, the Shamrock Cannery was established near Ireland. It was a co-op owned by area farmers. Acreage allotments were given to farmers as to how many acres they could plant. All the planting and picking was done by hand.
In its early days Ireland had many lodges and organizations. Temperance 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 a saloon was built next to the doctor’s office that a saloon survived.
Other businesses included a cafe, blacksmith shop, four-story flour mill (1855), two undertakers, a beanery (restaurant), two doctors and two dry-goods stores. A township library was run by Mrs. William Monroe in the 1850s. There were at least three hotels in the 1800s, the Ferguson Hotel, Green Hotel and the Hardin Hotel. Ireland had a race track and stables south of town in the 1870s.
Pioneers from the Ireland area served in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War and 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.
In 1982 the first St. Patrick’s Day Celebration was held. The idea to have an annual parade was born in the Shamrock Cafe in 1981, originating from Janet Mc’Schitter and Mary Jane O’Keusch. The parade was discontinued after 20 years in 2002 but Ireland is still the place to visit on St. Patrick’s weekend as, in 2009, St. Patrick’s Celebration, Inc. was formed and many activities added.
However, the big birthday party for the Town of Ireland is starting this Friday, August 26. The Ireland Bicentennial Parade will be held Sunday, August 28 at 1 p.m. EDT and six grand marshals have been chosen — all for their dedication to the community.
They include:
Delbert “Junie” and Sharon Himsel
The Himsels met at the Dubois County 4-H Fair and were married on November 11, 1959 in Christ Lutheran Church in Haysville.
They have four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Sharon and Junie’s favorite things about Ireland are the clean atmosphere, the old Ireland Spuds and the home town feel. They hope the town remains clean and progressive, has an appropriate community center, and keeps a pristine elementary school and Historical Society.
Junie has been a farmer nearly all of his life and continues today while Sharon has been a bookkeeper and computer lab technician. Their accomplishments are too numerous to include here, but of special note, Junie has worked diligently to preserve the history of old cemeteries in the Ireland area. He was the originator and charter member of the Ireland Historical Society in 1996 and has served as president for 18 years; also the creator (in 2002) and publisher of the website www.IrelandIndiana.com.
He is a life member of the State and National Sons of the American Revolution and also the State and National Mayflower Society.
Sharon has been a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for over 50 years and published the history of the Lutheran Church in Dubois County.
Tom and Esther Kellams
Tom was born in Ireland and Esther in Ferdinand.
Along with her family, Esther moved to Ireland at the age of one. Both have lived in Ireland all their lives. Around the age of eight, the two met while playing with other children in the neighborhood. They were married on May 9, 1957 in St. Mary Church in Ireland.
Throughout their 59 years of marriage they have raised three children and have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The Kellams’ favorite thing about Ireland is that it is a small town, where they know nearly all of the friendly, helpful, and family oriented people. They are glad to know that Ireland offers an excellent elementary school which has received many awards throughout the years.
The Ireland Historical Society promotes the history of the town and its early settlers. Some of their memories of Ireland are that it was at one time home to one of the largest flour mills in the area, a glove factory, sawmills, and a large planing mill. There were several hotels, a library, lawyers, doctors, and the first known drugstore in the county. Ireland also had one of the first state commissioned four-year high schools in the county.
Tom and Esther co-owned agricultural businesses in Ireland, Holland and Ferdinand. In 1994, they decided to sell their business. Esther managed the Touch of Class Outlet store in Huntingburg for 11 years. Tom is currently a part-time sales representative for Eaton Monument Company.
Tom and Esther are involved in numerous things within the community (again, too many to list).
Mike and Carol Schmitt
The Schmitts met at The Rustic dance hall in Jasper. They were married in Precious Blood Church in 1964. They have four children, Chris, Bart, Liz and Gabby, and six grandchildren.
Their vision for the town of Ireland is that it maintains its small town environment and beauty with well maintained homes and lots of families.
Carol previously worked at Wilson Drug Store, The Apothecary Shoppe and Kmart Pharmacy. She continues to work one day per week. Mike was employed at Mundy Implement Sales and the Old Ben Coal Company in Petersburg.
Mike designed and built the miniature town of Ireland, which is located in the basement of the Ireland Historical Society Building in hopes of capturing the true essence of Ireland over the years.
He has been a member of the Ireland Fire Department for over 50 years and has served as Chief and Assistant Chief. As with the other to couples,
Mike and Carol are involved in many things within the community.
Here is the event schedule for the Ireland Bicentennial Celebration this weekend.
Friday, August 26th
5:00PM – 12:00AM Food Booths Open East of K of C Building
5:00PM – 12:00AM Beer Garden Open K of C Parking Lot
5:00PM – 8:00PM Ireland Historical Society Open House Ireland Historical Society Basement
6:00PM – 6:30PM Opening Ceremonies Main Stage
6:00PM – 9:00PM Farm Machinery Threshing Church Softball Field Bottoms
6:00PM – 9:00PM Antique Tractor Show Church Softball Field Bottoms
6:00PM – 8:00PM Ireland High School & Sports Alumni Gathering East of Ireland Historical Society
6:30PM – 7:30PM Old Irish Fashion Show Main Stage
6:30PM – 8:00PM Heirloom Demonstrations Church Softball Field Bottoms
7:00PM – 7:40PM Olympics of the Forest Lumberjack Show Church Softball Field Bottoms
7:00PM – 9:00PM Kids Games Open Valley Behind K of C
7:30PM – 8:30PM Emily Ann Thompson Main Stage
9:00PM – 12:00AM The Matte Gray Band Main Stage
9:15PM – 9:55PM Olympics of the Forest Lumberjack Show Church Softball Field Bottoms
Saturday, August 27th
8:00AM Color Me Crazy Fun Run/Walk 5K Ireland Elementary School
8:00AM – 10:00AM Breakfast Sandwich Sale Ireland Fire Station
9:00AM – 8:00PM Heirloom Demonstrations Church Softball Field Bottoms
9:00AM Home Run Derby Ireland Youth Sports Field
9:00AM – 3:00PM Craft/Vendor Show Ireland Elementary Cafeteria
10:00AM – 9:00PM Kids Games & Inflatables Open Valley Behind K of C
10:00AM – 5:00PM Farm Machinery Threshing Church Softball Field Bottoms
10:00AM – 5:00PM Antique Tractor Show Church Softball Field Bottoms
10:00AM – 8:00PM Ireland High School & Sports Alumni Gathering East of Ireland Historical Society
10:00AM – 4:00PM Quilt Show Ireland Historical Society
10:00AM – 5:00PM Ireland Historical Society Open House Ireland Historical Society Basement
10:30AM – 12:30PM Talent Show/Lip Sync Contest Main Stage
11:00AM – 12:00AM Food Booths Open East of K of C Building
11:00AM – 12:00AM Beer Garden Open K of C Parking Lot
11:00AM Ireland’s Fittest Contest South Side of Church Cemetery
11:00AM – 11:40AM Olympics of the Forest Lumberjack Show Church Softball Field Bottoms
1:00PM WBDC Corn Hole Tournament of Champions (Reg. at 12) Grant Street
1:00PM – 2:30PM Kirby Stailey Main Stage
2:00PM – 2:40PM Olympics of the Forest Lumberjack Show Church Softball Field Bottoms
2:45PM – 4:00PM Jon & Stacey Main Stage
4:15PM – 5:15PM Debbie Schuetter Main Stage
5:30PM – 6:30PM Adam Gregory Main Stage
5:30PM Adult/Child Pedal Tractor Pull West Walnut Street
5:30PM – 6:45PM St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Folk Choir Ireland Historical Society
6:45PM – 7:25PM Olympics of the Forest Lumberjack Show Church Softball Field Bottoms
7:00PM – 8:30PM The Derby Boys Main Stage
8:30PM – 9:00PM O’Blarney Drop Main Stage
9:00PM – 12:00AM Steven Padilla Main Stage
Sunday, August 28th
11:00AM – 4:00PM Select Food Booths Open East of K of C Building
11:00AM – 4:00PM Music Provided by Supreme Sound Entertainment Main Stage
12:00PM – 4:00PM Beer Garden Open K of C Parking Lot
1:00PM Parade
After Parade Beard Contest & Time Capsule Showing Main Stage