C. G. Kessler

Family/Spouse: A. Dicks. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Book Reference: 1156

Ward married Marie Verona Irish on 14 Jun 1941. Marie (daughter of Rev. James William Irish and Grace Elinor Cleghorn) was born on 9 Feb 1905; died about 2003. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Book Reference: 1155

Other Events:

• Occupation: Supt. for Methodist Church in Western WI
• Book Reference: 1105

Notes:

from: Kathryn Sims Martin
Below you will find material pertaining to James William Irish given or related to me by his son, Foster William Irish who was my step-father. More material will be forthcoming - it is taking me a bit longer to sort through that of Foster William Irish since it evokes so many memories, as I am sure you can understand.

Souces and notes: JAMES WILLIAM IRISH (Reverend)

"Minutes of West Wisconsin Conference: The Methodist Church for 1943". Pgs 695-696.
"Rev. James W. Irish, son of Rev. William R. and Martha Banks Irish, was born in Big Spring, Wisconsin, March 17, 1868, and was reared in the Methodist tradition.

In 1885, at the age of 17, he left home and went to Aberdeen, then Dakota Territory, to work in a brother-in-law's printing office. He remained several years, establishing a speed record in type setting, joining the union, becoming a foreman and later, night editor.

Early in 1891 he decided to enter the Christian ministry. With characteristic zeal, he set about getting the education that his early entry into business had precluded, entering the preparatory department of the University of Nebraska. The same year he married Grace Elinor Cleghorn of Whiting, Iowa, and with her loyal assistance, pursued his studies while serving charges. He joined the West Wisconsin Conference in 1896. In 1898 Brother Irish was graduated from the University of Wisconsin and later received a divinity degree from Garrett Biblical Institute. In 1918 Lawrence College gave him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

The following churches knew James W. Irish as pastor: Mt. Horeb, Black Earth, Richland Center, Ashland, and First Church, LaCrosse. For twelve years he was District Superintendent, first, of the Ashland District and later of the Eau Claire District. For several years he was Executive Secretary of the West Wisconsin Hospitals and Homes Association.

Brother Irish was never a man of rugged health. During his work as District Superintendent, the rigors of travel in Northern Wisconsin resulted in an attack of tuberculosis. With his usual intensity of of purpose, he conquered this disease and pronounced cured inside of a year. The subsequent years of travel finally took their toll of his strength and in 1930, brother Irish asked for a supernumerary relation and took up residence in Milwaukee. Three years later he retired.

Throughout his entire life, new ideas and new techniques, whether for the work of the Kingdom of God or for produects of his skillful hands, always held a great attraction for him. He worked with fervor on a project and attacked entrenched wrong in a community with undivided energy, let the chips fall where they may. As a result, one of his early churches was dynamited and an attempt was made on his life. His greatest effectiveness in the ministry, was as pastor and friend of his people rather than as a pulpit orator. His visits were anticipated and remembered with delight in hundreds of homes. He had an orderly mind and excelled as an organizer, as many a young pastor on his two districts could recall.

The crucial test of a man's faith, particularly if he be an active restless soul (as was this man) is how he could take years of illness and passivity and linger on a "workless worker" in a world of work. To this final and severest test of all, James W. Irish bent his loyal heart and came off victor, achieving that serenity which is the most exquisite fruit of a man's faith. He never lost interest in the great tides in the church and in the world, but as he became unable to read, he learned patiently and cheerfully to occupy himself with handwork and games. Whenever there came a period of recurring health, he entered gladly into the life of the church to which he belonged. Not the least of his life's labors was his contribution to the work of the churches in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa during his years of retirement.

After several paralytic stokes, James W. Irish died December 13, 1942, eight years after the death of his wife. Funeral services were held at the Kenwood Methodist Church, Milwaukee, with the Revs. Charles W. Heywood, Robert B. Stansell, R.J. Bailey, and George F. Barber participating. Other services were held on December 17 at Barabo in the undertaking parlors. Ministers participating in this service were Revs. Dean W. Irish (nephew) who read the scripture and offered prayer; Ernest E. Horth who sang two beautiful songs, and John W. Birchall who delivered a brief address. Burial was in the beaufiful Baraboo Cemetery. The grave-side services were conducted by the Revs. W. F. Tomlinson and R. Harold Gee, E.J. Sachtjen, S.J. Lambright and Paul B. White.

Two sons and two daughters survive. They are: Foster of Evanston; Russell of Scarsdale, New York; Marie (Mrs. Ward P. Kessler) of Elkart, Indiana and Elinore (Mrs. Russel H. Baum) of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Of his father's family, there remain two sisters, Josephine Irish Starling of Dallas, Texas, Martha Irish Karnopp of Winnetka, Illinois, and two brothers Gilbert H. of Dallas, Texas and Luther B. of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Members of three generations of the Irish family have served consecutively in the West Wisconsin Conference. They are: Wm. R., James W., and Deane W. now active in service at Dodgeville.
John W. Birchhall."

Comments made by his son, Foster William Irish, to me in an oral interview in 1979, indicate that James William left home at about age 15 because he didn't get along with his step-mother; that James William went to North Dakota where he learned to be a printer, that he went to San Francisco as a printer and that he traveled on a ship to Seattle which ran into whale, that he was a "tramp printer" who rode on freight trains from town to town, and that he was helped financially by his wife when he attended school to become a minister.
Kathryn Sims Martin - simsmartin@sbcglobal.net

James married Grace Elinor Cleghorn on 22 Dec 1891. Grace was born on 4 May 1871 in IA; died on 31 Jul 1934; was buried in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Baraboo, Sauk Co., WI. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Book Reference: 1106

Other Events:

• Obituary: Rev. William R. Irish Rev. William R. Irish died at his home in Baraboo, Thursday, October 6, in the 82nd year of his age. Rev. Irish suffered a stroke of paralysis while attending the Annual Conference at Viroqua the first of September. Rev. Irish served a number of prominent pulpits in the West Wisconsin Conference and was the pastor of the church in this city from 1876 to 1879 and he continued his residence in Mauston while he was Presiding Elder of the Portage District so that some of his children spent much of their childhood and youth in this city. Three sons and three daughters survive him, all of whom were with him in his last sickness and death. Rev. Irish was twice married and is also survived by his wife. Funeral services were held in the First Methodist church in Baraboo, Saturday a.m. at 10 o'clock. Rev. W. W. Moore, D. D., pastor of the Baraboo church, Rev. E. C. Dixon, D. D., of the First Church in La Crosse, and Rev. R. A. Barnes, former District Superintendent, spoke of his life and work. The Conference Quartet sang a number of selections. There were 22 ministers of the Conference in attendance. The burial was in the Baraboo cemetery and the Masonic fraternity, of which Rev. Irish had long been a member, took charge of the service at the grave. --Mauston Star [Mauston, Juneau Co. WI], Thursday October 13, 1921
• Occupation: Circuit Rider for the Methodist Church in WI
• Book Reference: 1036

Notes:

From: Joe Travis
W. L. reports the brothers - Rev. William R. Irish and Rev. Joseph E. Irish, are 3rd cousins through their great, great, grandfather, Ebenezer Britton. Perhaps I'm reading it wrong, but it appears that it is the wives of William and Joseph that are the 3rd cousins - (descendants of Ebenezer Britton) - see notes on wives.

From 1880 Census
Census Place La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Family History Library Film 1255432
NA Film Number T9-1432
Page Number 543C

William R. IRISH Self M Male W 39 NY Methodist Pastor ENGLAND NY
Martha IRISH Wife M Female W 39 IL Keeps House ENGLAND ENGLAND
Cora IRISH Dau S Female W 20 WI At Home NY IL
Josephine IRISH Dau S Female W 18 WI At Home NY IL
Lila IRISH Dau S Female W 14 WI At School NY IL
James IRISH Son S Male W 12 WI At School NY IL
Gilbert IRISH Son S Male W 7 WI At School NY IL
Lutha IRISH Dau S Female W 4 WI NY IL

Is last entry Lutha or Luther?

William married Martha M. Banks on 30 Jan 1859. Martha (daughter of James Banks and Comfort Sexton) was born on 17 Jun 1840 in IL; died on 7 Aug 1881 in Hammond, St. Croix Co., WI. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Book Reference: 1037

Notes:

From: W. L. Irish
[A Mayflower Descendant]
Ebenezer Britton (1715-1758)
m. (2) Sarah Bullock
Their son,
Samuel Britton (1761-1835)
Their son,
Samuel Britton (1761-1835)
m. abt. 1782, Mindwell Butterfield
Their daughter,
Linda Britton (1787-1859)
m. 1804, Morris E. Sexton
Their daughter,
Comfort Sexton ( - -1889)
m. James Banks
Their daughter,
Martha Banks (1840-1881)
m. Rev. William R. Irish.