Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 546 - 547 

ELISHA IRONS, a pioneer of Sedgwick County, is an estimable citizen of Eagle Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 4. By his energetic and persistent labors he has redeemed a good farm from the wild prairie land of the Arkansas River Valley, and in doing this he has also materially assisted in developing Sedgwick County, and has added to its prosperity. He is a native of Warwickshire, England, and was born March 8, 1839. The parents of our subject were John and Johanna (Van) Irons, natives of England. His father was reared as a farmer, and in his native country was what is there known as a farm bailiff, one who has charge of another's place. He was an estimable, honest man, and with his worthy wife, was a member of the sect called Plymouth Brethren, and was a preacher and an expounder of the Gospel to his fellow-members for many years while he remained a resident of England. He and his wife came to the United States in 1869, and located in Benton County, Iowa, where they lived until they came to make their home with their son Elisha in this county during the last years of their lives. The father died Sept. 13, 1871, aged sixty-two, and now lies peacefully sleeping his last sleep in the little cemetery on his son's farm. The mother died July 7, 1887, aged sixty-three, and is resting in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, in Eagle Township. To them were born seven sons and three daughters, namely: William, Jonathan, Elisha, Edward, Jane and Thomas (twins), John, Sarah, Ann and Samuel. Sarah died at seventeen years of age; Jonathan when nineteen, and William when twenty-seven; Thomas died in infancy; Jane was married in Hilmorton, Warwickshire, England, to Thomas Musson. They came in June, 1883, to the United States, first locating in Eagle Township, and living there until 1886, when she went to Wichita to keep house for Mr. Diffenbaugh, and was thus engaged until her death, which occurred in April, 1887. She was the mother of three daughters - Katie, Annie and Alice. Katie married Jacob Auxhurst, a real-estate agent of Wichita.

            Elisha Irons, of this sketch, remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one, sometimes working out, and finally apprenticing himself to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving for two years; the succeeding two years he engaged in it for himself. He then entered the British marine service as a gunner, and was thus engaged for six and one-half years, four years being spent at the Australian station. He was then incapacitated for further service, and retired with a pension, which he continued to receive while he remained a citizen of Old England.

            After he left the marine service our subject was married, May 10, 1867, to Miss Susanna, daughter of Joseph and Mary Williams, and soon after came with his newly-made wife to the United States, locating first in Benton County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming until 1870. In the fall of that year he decided to come to Kansas, and when he arrived in this State he took up a homestead claim on the northeast quarter of section 4, and since that time he has been actively engaged in tilling the soil and in raising stock, generally keeping about fifty head of cross-graded cattle, for which he finds a good market when he desires to sell them. He has erected comfortable buildings, and has everything in a good condition.

            The wife of our subject, who had crossed the waters with him from the old country, and had faithfully shared with him the trials of a pioneer life in a newly settled region, departed this life April 5, 1876, at the age of thirty-six, and now lies in the little cemetery on the farm, not far from the home which she assisted in building up.

            Mr. Irons was a second time married, Nov. 27, 1876, to Miss Charlotte S. Burrill, a native of Boston, Mass. When she was very young her parents moved to Delaware County, Iowa, and there she grew to womanhood. Her parents are still living in that county, and her father is engaged in farming and carpentering. Mrs. Irons has made our subject an excellent wife, being wise in counsel and helpful in action.

            Mr. Irons has taken a conspicuous part in the management of township affairs, and has held various local offices, showing sound judgment and good administrative abilities in his manner of discharging his duties to the public. In polities he is devoted to the interests of the Republican party. In religion he is an esteemed member of the Congregational Church, of Sedgwick, Harvey County.

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