Home Page
Index Page
Irons Family


Thomas Irons----->-----James Irons----->-----Thornton Irons----->-----Francis F Irons----->-----John A Irons----->----Living              
                                         +                               +                          +                             +                          + 
                                  Eleanor Cree          Rebecca Norris         Susan McBride         Jessie Mars              Living



Fifth Generation

John Azel Irons (1913-1993) and Jesse Mars (1910-2002)
 
Children: Living
  John was born and died in Sullivan Co. In..  Lived in Dugger, In.. Married Jessie Mars on 12/24/1936, Crawfordsville, In..  Graduated for Dugger (Union) High School and Indiana State Teachers College.  Taught chemistry and coached football initially at Jasper, In., then Dugger, and retired from Sullivan High School.  Enjoyed quail hunting and raising bird dogs, some fishing.  He was a member, deacon, elder of Dugger First Christian Church.  He was a member and "exalted ruler" of Sullivan Elks Club. After retirement opened an antique shop in Dugger, J and J Antiques.

Jessie (Mars) Irons was born and raised in Terre Haute, In.. Attended Wiley H.S., member of first graduating class.  Graduated from Indiana State Teachers College and taught initially in Prairie Creek, In., Pleasantville, Dugger, and Linton.  When she moved to Dugger, boarded with Postmaster Harry Collins. Taught Latin and was guidance counsuler at Linton.  Active member of First Christian Church in Dugger.  Taught Sunday School, played piano,organ and led choir.  She enjoyed quilting, cooking, playing bridge and was an avid reader..  After retirement from teaching she assisted in antique shop, primarily interested in dish ware.

Jessie Mars Irons DAR application  Page 1  Page 2   Page 3   Page 4

Jessie Mars Irons DAR Certificate

Pictures of John A Irons Family

Fourth Generation

Francis Flemons Irons (3/3/1871-10/2/1947) and Susan McBride (4/10/1879-9/12/1960) my grandparents.

Children:
  • Vernal Irons  b.1903
  • Esther (Irons) Johnson b. 1910
  • Lester Irons b. 1908
  • Adrian Irons b. 1905
  • John A Irons b.1913

Francis and Susan had a farm west of Gilmour, In..  In 2003 there is no house, barn, outbuildings, etc.  Several pictures in files of house and yard.  Francis died as a result of a freak accident, he hit his head on the barn door, riding on a horse drawn wagon entering the barn. Apparently died several days later. 
Susan lived on farm briefly, then moved to Dugger, In. and lived across the alley from the house where I was raised. Vernal the oldest went to John Hopkins Medical School, became a specialist in communicable diseases and went to Austin, Texas and worked for State Health Department.  Married Lillian Shultz.  Two daughters: Edna Mae and Elise. Lester received a Law degree from Michigan State and practice law with Barnes and Thornburg in Indianapolis. Married Lucy Carmony.  Two children: David and Jane. John went to Indiana State, with the help of his brothers and obtained a teachers License, working at Jasper, Dugger, and Sullivan.During WWII, he taught soldiers at Vincennes. Adrian married and unfortunately his wife died early and he never seemed to recover.  He lived with his mother Susan in Dugger. Esther, married Phillip Johnson, was in Michigan for a time, then they purchased a pay lake outside of Mooresville, IN.,one daughter Lucy.

Some of my memories of Susan McBride Irons are:  She often baby sat for me, I would go to her and Adrians'.  Burned pancakes in an iron skillet,  stoking coal stove in morning (terrible smell),  her wringing chickens necks to kill for dinner, her watching tv when first available and saying "why did he do that", playing checkers, dominoes, and marble games, what fun.  Grandma, developed diabetes and had to have her lower legs amputated.  She was a large woman, tall, big, not fat, but trying to get her up and into wheel chair was a challenge.  She attended Methodist Church,  most of Bible entries I believe are hers.

Francis F Irons Family Picture Page

Irons Family Locations in Cass Twp. Sullivan Co. In.

John A Irons --birth certificate-copy  (no name and recorded 16 days after birth)

Third Generation

Thornton F Irons (8/22/1832-3/16/1901) the youngest son of James Irons was born on 8-22-1834 in Washington Township, Harrison Co. Ohio. Thornton was raised in an apparently very well to do farming family. The family owned over 400 acres of land. Little is known about his childhood, but most of the time was probably spent helping the family maintain and run the farm, especially considering the advanced age of his parents. They were in their middle to late forties when they had their children.

Thornton was 20 yrs old when his father died in Iowa on a trip west with an older brother to buy land. As a minor child, his older brother William was appointed as guardian and his uncle James provided the surety. Bounty land due his father, through an 1850's act of Congress was applied for and received by Thornton. No estate record or will for his father has been located. So there appears to have been a peaceful division of his parents property, because of the many joint and individual sales of the property owned by James.

Thornton Irons Guardianship granted to William Irons

Thornton married Rebecca Norris (8/2/1839-9/12/1920) daughter of Alexander and Christina (Spiker) Norris on 4-16-1856 by Abraham Barger, in Harrison Co. Oh.. Their family was very large and consisted of 7 children. They moved to Sullivan Co. In. around 1864 to 1868. Why is not known though they moved with several other families from Harrison Co.

Children:


The first 4 children were born in Oh. all were married in Sullivan Co. In. except Viola who was married in Illinois. Thornton bought a tract of land from Enoch Sexton in May of 1867. They settled in Cass Twp. in the now non-existent town of Gilmour, interestingly close to their home in Oh was also a town of Gilmour. Sullivan Co. History says the town was named after a local mining superintendent. The cross roads still known locally as Gilmour is about half way between Dugger and Jasonville. At the cross roads in the south west corner is a house that John A Irons visited and remembers as being the home of his grandparents. As of 1995 the house was still standing. Thornton made several purchases of land in Sullivan Co. What the F stands for in his name is not made clear anywhere, but his son Francis' middle name is Flemons.

Thornton Irons Family Bible:  page 1   page 2   page 3   page 4

Thornton Irons and Rebecca  (Norris)  Irons  Picture  ca. 1900   (Various  daughters and sons-none direct line)

Thornton Irons and Rebecca Norris Marriage record

Irons Property  Cass Twp. Sullivan Co. In.

Sources:

Second Generation

James Irons, son of Thomas Irons was born in Allegany Co. Md.. The actual date depends on the source. The grave marker indicates he was born on 11-21-1782. He died 5-2-1851, age 68 yrs, 6 months, and 11 days. He listed his age in the 1850 Oh census as 61 yrs, which means he was born 1789. I feel the most reliable source is a bounty land warrant for the War of 1812 in which he state his age as 64 yrs. on the 22 day of October during the year 1850, which means he was born in 1786 or the last 3 months of 1785. James grew up in the rugged mountain wilderness of western Md.. At the age of 27 he was drafted into the Md militia. He saw service as a private, even celebrating his 28th birthday in service. He was a member of Captain Thomas Blair's Company of Infantry, 1st Regiment Maryland Militia commanded by Col. Stoner(Steiner). Serving from 9-2-1814 to 10-30-1814, he received the pay of $8.00 per month. His discharge occurred at Baltimore, approximately 150 miles from his home. Interestingly he was paid 7 days travel time to return home. Also drafted into the same company was a Peter Irons, possibly a brother, this is the only mention of this individual located. James received bounty land in Ohio for his service, 40 acres, Warrant #12922. There was also a James Irons who served as a private in Captain George O'Briant"s Company of Ohio Militia from July 28 to August 24 1813. No mention of this service is found in any located papers and no census or tax records in Ohio support another James Irons. So is possible they are the same individual.

The first census listing of James Irons is the 1830 Ohio, Harrison Co., Washington Twp. one. He lists his age as 40-50 and has living with him a male 0-5, a female 15-20, and a female 20-30. The female 15-20 is a mystery, possibly a sister of his wife?

James purchased land in Harrison Co. on 09/25/1816. 161.26 acres, located at 7-12-28 NE 1/4 and listed his residence as Allegany Co. Md. His brother Thomas made his first purchase in 1825. There are no 1820 Census listings in Ohio for Thomas. The 1820 Allegany Co. Md. census has a male the proper age living with his father Thomas. He married Eleanor (Nellie) Cree in 1827 or 1828, no record located, probably in Greene Co. Pa.. Her parents Robert and Elizabeth (Villars) Cree resided there and did not move to Ohio. Thomas and Eleanor settled on land, the N E sec. of 29.12.7 in Harrison Co. Oh.. They made the move along with James' brother Thomas and his sister Nancy, who all settled in Harrison Co..
The property lies north of Tippecanoe Oh. about a mile, along the banks of Stillwater Creek. The original purchase of 160 acres was added to until approximately 400 acres total was added to the estate. Interestingly, the value of the land as listed on the 1850 census was for $3000.00, a very large amount for those days. James and Eleanor accrued considerable property in Harrison Co. Their heirs distributed or sold over 401 1/2 acres, with deed transfers recorded in 1860 having a total value of $7,164.00. The last purchase was for a lot #14 in the town of Tippecanoe on 7-9-1852, approximately a year before the death of Eleanor.(A picture of the house now on the lot is in folder) The family appeared to be well to do with this much land, the move to town may have been due to health.

Children:

Some facts about the family gathered from the records are interesting. In 1850 all four children are in school. The value of accumulated property was very high. The signature of James on his bounty application, the first recorded Irons able to do this. The tendency for families to move and live together for support, besides the Irons's, Eleanor(Cree) had a brother James and 2 sisters, Jenny Topin and a Mrs. Haver, who lived in the same area. Also an unknown female Nancy Brown age 9 was living with James' family in 1850.

James died on 5-2-1854 and is buried in Strong Cemetery, Pleasant Twp., Lucas Co. Iowa. He died at the home of a Joseph Quillen on a trip west to apparently buy land. The eldest son William was with him and later settled in Lucas Co. Iowa. I am amazed that a man of 68 years would make such a trip. Eleanor died on 10-3-1853, age 59 yrs, 5 months, 13 days. She is buried in Mayes Cemetery, Harrison Co. Oh.. The cemetery is located on a high hill west of Tippecanoe, Oh., across Stillwater Creek.(pictures of Cemetery and marker).

Thornton was a minor when both of his parents died and William the oldest was granted a guardianship with his uncle Thomas acting as Surety. This legal act provides us with much of our information about the family because of the many depositions. No estate record or will for either James or Eleanor
has been located. The land appears to have been divided and sold peaceably.

The family shortly after the death of Eleanor moved in different directions. Thornton went to Sullivan Co. In. along with several other Harrison Co. residents. The Norris, Lambright, Shivers and Sexton families to name a few moved together. Why? A common thread to both areas is coal mining although none of the Irons were miners in Oh. The timing of the moves coninsides with the Civil War and the history of Sullivan Co. indicates a majority of the population were anti-slavery. There parents were certainly well to do and it would not appear that they had to move for reasons of money.

Mayes Cemetery, Harrison Co. Ohio. Grave stone of  Eleanor Cree Irons:

Jame Irons house in Tippecanoe, Harrison County, Ohio (not completely sure)

James Irons War 1812 Muster Rolls:  page 1   page 2

James Irons War 1812 Bounty Land Warrant

William Irons pension application for Thornton Irons as guardian.

Family record contained in pension application for Thornton

Note on grave site of James Irons, Strong Cemetery, Lucas County, Iowa

Sources:

First Generation

 Thomas Irons (Sr.) of Allegany Co. Md. is the earliest Irons properly traced, and this is by land records. His father is unknown, probably a brother of John Irons listed Frederick Co. Md. 1790 Census and Land Records. There are other records of earlier Irons in Md, but no ties have been made. Thomas lived and died in Cumberland Twp. Allegany Co. Md., this is a very rugged and mountainous area and is scarcely populated to this day. He was born probably in Md. sometime between the years 1760 and 1770(census records). He was married by 1789, possibly by the year 1784(census records of children s births). To whom is unknown, possibly married twice due to the age span of children. He had a large family of 10 or 11 children. He owned a large tract of land near Old Town Md. originally called Mt. Clare(Clear) on Evitt's Mountain. The source of this information comes from the will of John Conrad Beatty where he mentions the sale. Lester Irons visited this area and spoke to present day Irons' who still live there on what is now called Irons Mountain. These are descendants of Patrick son of Thomas. John Conrad Beatty in his will dated 1811 instructs his executor to sell to Thomas Irons a parcel of land, as agreed upon, when money is received. There are no indications that Thomas was related to Mr. Beatty either by birth or marriage. The property containing 132 acres was later transferred to a son of Thomas Jr., on 6-19-1824.(copy of deed in file). Thomas Jr. sold land to brother Patrick Irons in 1856. The land does contain a cemetery or burial ground in which Patrick (above) and possibly Thomas are buried. Lester stated that there were other graves without markers and the family believed that Thomas (Sr) was buried there.


View of Cumberland Maryland from Irons Mountain

John Conrad Beatty will states he sold to Thomas Irons property (Mt. Clare or Mt. Clear) dated 1811

Known  Children:

Thomas had a large family, although only 3 can be confirmed. The rest are indicated by the census counts. The estate of Thomas was administrated on 6-31-1849 with only three distributees, a Thomas, James(our ancestor) and Patrick. The census indicate a much larger family: in 1800 9 males and 1 female ages 0-25 (it is certainly possible that one of his older children with his wife and children is living with him). In 1810 8 males and 1 female 0-25.
1820 census 5 males and 1 female age 0-25. In 1830 6 with 2 males and 4 females -the ages/sequences change dramatically indicating a new marriage and wife with younger children or grandchildren living with him. In 1830 census Thomas list age as 60-70, yet has 3 children 0-5 and 2 age 5-10, not likely his, except age of wife changes dramatically so either a daughter with her family or a new wife with her family?  Maybe this Thomas Irons married Mary Davidson in 1825 and not his son Thomas Jr. as thought.

Some definite possibilities for other children are: 

Irons Mountain
Irons Mountain Canal View

Deed Thomas Sr. to Thomas Jr. Mt. Clear   1824

Deed Thomas Jr. to Patrick Irons Mt. Clear   1856

Home on Irons Mt, from Irons Homestead

Irons Mountain Road Residents Sign 2008

Irons Mountain Road Sign 2008 from Base of Irons Mt.

Irons Mountain Road Sign 2008 from atop Irons Mt.

Another view of Irons home on Irons Mt.   

Thomas Irons Mt Clare property


Irons Documents:

Irons' in Allegany (Garrett Co.) Co. Md. 1750 to 1800 discussion:
There were two separate Irons families in early Allegany Co. Md.undoubtedly related by how is not known.. (1) My line of Thomas (b. 1760-1770) according to census records.  (2) John Irons who settled in Garrett Co. (part of Allegany Co. originally) who was undoubtedly a son of John Irons of Frederick Co..  This John in Frederick Co., served in Revolution and left a will, executed 1817, naming a wife Rebecca, Children: Michael, Mary (wife of John Hand), John, Susan (wife of Thomas Norris), Elizabeth (wife of James Clabaugh), Rebecca (wife of John Shaw), Joseph, Margaret (wife of George Rudisell) and Charles.  The John mentioned in Hoyes Pioneer Families of Garrett Co., probably settled on land earned by his father for service in Revolution.  In 1800 Allegany Co. Md.,census John Irons age is listed as being born 1774-1784.  There is no 1790 listing in Allegany Co. for a John Irons.  Only John is listed in Frederick Co. born as a minimum according to census 1757. He has males living in his household proper ages for both John and Thomas.  There also is no 1790 census listing for a Thomas Irons in Allegany Co. Since my Thomas is not listed and he was living he must not be a son.  Most likely a brother of John of Frederick Co. of the Revolution and an uncle of John of Garrett Co. Md..

Irons Records and Sources:  historical (1700's to 1850's) and geographical (states)----census, wills, history books, land grants, military, etc