Ireland, John, 1827-1896

Born to Patrick Ireland and Rachel Newton near Millerstown, Kentucky, John Ireland (1827-1896) moved to Seguin, Texas, after studying law and being admitted to the bar in 1852. In 1857, he married Ann Maria Penn, with whom he had three daughters. A year later, Ireland was elected mayor and became a delegate to the Secession Convention in 1861. In 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Following the Civil War, Ireland was appointed district judge and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1866. Additionally, he was elected a senator and representative of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Legislatures, respectively. After serving as associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 1875 through 1876, Ireland was elected governor in 1882, a position he held until 1887. During his tenure, he facilitated the development of a number of state institutions, including the University of Texas. In 1887, Ireland returned to his law practice, working as an attorney until his death in 1896.

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