Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-05-04

Fred D., travelling man of Milwaukee,
were at his bedside as was also his
wife
Mr.. Irish was born Aug. {, 1888, in
Paris, Oneida county, n. Y, of New
England ancestors. In 1885 his par
ents removed to Weseyville, Pa,
where they remained until 1897 when
they returned to Perryville, n. Y.
the district school. In 1S49-50 he was
a student at the Oneida Conference
Theological seminary at CaZenoyia, n
Y, and especially strong in mathe-
MATES. At this time, being 16, he COM
menced to teach school. In 1851 he
came to Wisconsin, settling at Sexton
Vile, Richland county, and pursued the
occupation of surveyor. Soon after be-
coming of age he was elected county
surveyor ana for considerable time
railroad from Madison to Prairie du
CHEN. July u, 1855, he was married
to Miss Lucy f. Britton of La Crosse
but formerly of Richland county by
whom he had six children. His wife
died in 1872, ann in 1874 he was again
married, his bride being Miss Isabella
II. Cobban of Eau Claire. At a great
revival in Richland county in 1858 Mr..
Irish was converted and Joined the
Methodist Episcopal church. The next
year he began to preach at Viroqua
and there 40 years ago he began a
friendship with Jerry Rusk which was
sincere, deep and mutual to the end of
Gen. Rusks life.
He was appointed presiding elder of
the st. CroiX district, and removed to
Hudson. and afterwards to New Rich
mond. In 1871, while actively engaged
in serving his church in this capacity,
he was approached by leading men of
the district, and urged to accept the
nomination of senator for the twenty
fourth district. This large district.
embracing eight counties, had such
varied and important interests to sub
serve. that whoever represented it In
the legislature required much verSatil-
itv of talents. aud keenness of obser-
vation. to satisfy his constituents.
believing that the call was in the line
of providence, Mr.. Irish accepted the
nomination in behalf of the republican
party. and was elected by the nnpreCe-
dcnted majority of nearly two thous-
and votes 1t was the first instance OF
clergyman ever having been elected
to the senate of Wisconsin,; and Mr..
Irish entered upon the discharge of his
duties with a strong desire to ad-
vance the interests of the state by a
faithful and judicious Christian
course The famous Graham temper
ance bill found in him an ardent
friend; and its passage has, by its
friends, been often imputed largely to
his activity and influence. Whatever
conclusions may have been arrived al
concerning the bearing of this law on
the great issues of temperance. it was
regarded at the time as an essential
measure by temperance men, and was
During both years Of Mr.. lrish's SER
vice in the senate he served also as
its chaplain by the request OF that
body. In the fall of 1872 he was ap-
pointed by Gov Washburn, chairman
of the state visiting committee, and,
as such. visited all the charitable and
penal institutions Of the state. The
report OF this committee, while rec
ommending liberal appropriations for
the institutions fostered by the state
indicated settled purpose TO ignore
any claims from institutions under the
care of any religious denomination.
The celebrated struggle in the legis-
lature over the St Croix land-grant
trauspired during the second year OF
Mr.. Irish's term and he rendered Sig
nal service on the side of the North
Wisconsin company. acting as cham
pion Of their bill. The result OF that
struggle has finally justified him in
the course he pursued. though at the
time a partisan spirit was evoked