San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-09-25
Gov. John Ireland, OF Texas.
Courier Journal, August 18th.

Courier Journal, August 18th.
Gov. Ireland is native Of Kentucky,
and the old house in which he was
born, and where he spent his child
hood, is probably yet standing, not
far from Priceville, in Hart county ;
at least it was o few years ago, and
the boy is yet pleasantly remembered
by the old citizens.
In the best sense Of that abused
term, Hon. John Ireland is self
made man. His adopted state has
done herself and him the honor Of
making him her chief executive, and
only three or four years ago he came
within one vote Of being elected
United States senator by the legisla-
ture. He is yet but little past the
prime of life, and the future may have
still greater honors in store for the
Kentuckian who has fought and won
so many hard battles of life.
Gov. Ireland was the son Of respect
able but poor parents. His father
was small farmer living in q remote
portion of the country and far from
either town or railroad. A clever
man he was, and yet remembered for
his homely good sense and honest
ways. He was poor man, however,
and scarcely saw money from one end
of the year to another. The future
statesman was one of q large family,
and at the first outlook life promised
but little for him. There seemed
nothing for him to do but pass Ms
life in the obscurity of his ancestors
an humble life, but quiet one,
and perhaps blessed with peace and
contentment for which the successful
statesman might be willing now to
exchange all his honors.
Young John Ireland was made OF
stern stuff. Educational advantages
were limited everwherein those days,
and if the boy learned to read and
write he was in great good luck.
Schools distracted but little attention
from his labors on the farms of his
father and neighbors until he grew
up. When he did so he developed
q restless nature, and it was not long
before he found his way to Munford-
vile, the county seat, where he SHRED
out" for his board and clothing.
Later on John went to Hardin
county, where he found employment
with blacksmith at the munifcent
sum of SO month. He showed the
stuff that was in him as early as then.
His restless spirit was not long con-
tented with shoeing horses, and at
the age of ten he emigrated to Texas,
going through with some party "by
land" probably.
Young Ireland settled in Seguin,
or near there, and studying law, was
soon admitted to the bar. He rose
rapidly in his profession, and for
years has been recognized as one of
the leading lawyers of the Lone Star
State. A man of his intellectual
force and energy could not have kept
out of politics if he had tried, and he
soon rose to prominence which
eliminated two years ago in his
nomination and election TO the high
est office in the gift of his fellow
citizens.
Gov. Ireland is man who would
rise to distinction any where. OF a
high order of intellect, he is the pos
SCISSOR of tireless energy and unwear
led patience. He has remedied the
defects of his early lack of education,
and few men are better or more
extensively informed than he.
81 always knew John Ireland would
make great man" said an old neigh
Dor of his to reporter who CHANGED
to meet him recently. "As boy, he
never gave up anythingh he undertook,
although he was not considered extra
ordinarily intelligent; but he had the
making of man in him and it show
ed at an early age"
The governor has never been back
on visit to his old home. He is
said to have half-brother and other
relatives there yet. He has not for
gotten them in spite of the years that
have passed since he left, and is
always delighted to receive any news
from his old county.