Martha C. Evans
  b: Jun/1847 - Casey Co., KY
  d: 13/May/1923 - El Paso, Co., CO - bur: Evergreen Cem., Colorado Springs, CO

Father: John Thomas Evans
Mother: Elizabeth Miller

Spouse: Thomas A. Ireland - b: 28/Apr/1844 - Greene Co., TN
   d: 18/Jul/1920 - El Paso, Co., CO - bur: Evergreen Cem., Colorado Springs, CO
  m: 1865/1866 - Gentry Co., MO

Child-1: William Francis. - b: 12/Jan/1868 - Albany, Gentry Co., MO
                                         d: 26/May/1959 - bur: Grandview Cem. (West)
                                         m: Mary Catherine (Kittie) Canaday - 3/Jun/1891 - Gentry Co., MO
          2: Jefferson Thomas (Jeff) - b: 10/Jan/1873 - Gentry Co., MO
                                                    d: 5/Nov/1946 - Gentry Co., MO - bur: Grandview Cem.
          3: James August (Gus) - b: 18/Feb/1875 - Gentry Co., MO
                                               d: 5/Jan/1956 - Albany, Gentry Co., MO - bur: Grandview Cem.
          4: John Claude (Cruse) - b: 17/Mar/1877 - Albany, Gentry Co., MO
                                                d: 25/Aug/1944 - Gentry Co., MO
          5: Lillie M. (Mamie) - b: 15/Sep/1878 - Gentry Co., MO
                                            d: 18/Nov/1957 - Colorado Springs, El Paso, Co., CO - bur: Evergreen Cem.
                                            m: Enoch Lee Williams - 18/Feb/1900 - Albany, Gentry Co., MO
          6: Charles Robert - b: 23/Jul/1888 - Albany, Gentry Co., MO
                                        d:  Sep/1963 - CO
                                        m: Phronie A. Sheldon - 12/Jul/1923 - Boulder, Boulder Co., CO

Biographical Details:

The birth date of Martha C. Evans is not precisely known; however, the best evidence indicates that she was born in Casey County, Kentucky, in June of 1847, the oldest child of John T. and Elizabeth Miller Evans.  This implies that she was probably about three and one half years old when her parents first came to Gentry County, Missouri.  By the time she was a young teenager, both of her parents were deceased.  Her middle name is not known.  Evidently, Martha C. Evans and Thomas A. Ireland were married sometime in 1865 or 1866 (almost certainly in Gentry County) and it appears that they lived in the town of Albany for several decades thereafter.  (Concomitantly, there is good evidence that Thomas' older sister, Hila, subsequently married Martha's first cousin, John Henry Austin, and they also lived in Gentry County.)  Accordingly, the population schedule of the 1870 US Census for Gentry County indicates that Thomas and Martha Ireland were resident in Albany along with two small children, viz., a son, William F., three years of age, and a daughter, Lillie M., seven months old in July of 1870 (hence, born about December of 1869).  Likewise, four additional sons can be confirmed by Gentry County population schedules of 1880, 1900, and 1910 (as well as archived draft registration records of World War I).

In the last decade of her life Martha Evans Ireland and her husband, Thomas, lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  By implication, they must have relocated in 1913 or 1914.1  (Even so, the obituary of T. A. Ireland indicates that he and his wife moved to Colorado in the year 1910; however, this would seem too early.)  It is not known why they would have left their home and familiar surroundings in Albany so late in life.  What is known is that their youngest son moved with them to Colorado and that in 1920 they were all living together on South Wahsatch Street in or near downtown Colorado Springs.  (Concomitantly, according to draft registration records of sons, Jeff, Gus, and John, in September of 1918 their mother was living at 611 East Vrain Street; however, this precise address no longer seems to exist, but was probably consistent with the location indicated later by census records.)  Within a general social context, it was common at that time for people with respiratory diseases, particularly tuberculosis, to move from more humid eastern and midwestern regions to relatively arid climates, such as at Colorado Springs, in an effort to improve their health.  It is likely that such was the motivation of Ireland family, although it is unknown which or if any of them were ill in this way.  Thomas A. Ireland died in the middle of July, 1920, and Martha Evans Ireland died on May 13, 1923.  Both were buried together in the Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.2  At the time of their mother's death, Robert Ireland and Mamie Ireland Williams were both living in Colorado.  Moreover, it would seem that Robert married at about this time.3

Source Notes and Citations:
1. "DEATH OF FORMER RESIDENT   Mrs. Martha B. Ireland, widow of the late Thos. A. Ireland, for many years a resident of Albany, died at her home at Colorado Springs, Colo., Sunday May 13th.  Burial was at one of the cemeteries there.
     Mrs. Ireland moved out to the springs about ten years ago with her husband, who died about four years ago.  She was 76 years old.  She is survived by five sons, William of Darlington, Jeff, John, and Gus, of Albany, Robert of Colorado Springs and one daughter, Mrs. Mamie Williams of Sterling, Colo.
     Mrs. Ireland was a native of Kentucky, and her maiden name was Martha Evans.  She is survived by one sister, Mrs. J. T. Hunter, Albany, and one brother, J. J. Evans, Stanberry."
     In this obituary, "B" is the given middle initial of Martha Evans Ireland; however, census and cemetery records indicate that it was actually "C".  (obituary: Albany Ledger; Albany, MO, Thur., May 24, 1923.)
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2. Athlyn Luzier,"Evergreen Cemetery Records thru 1972", Pikes Peak Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1262, Colorado Springs, CO, 80901. (El Paso County COGenWeb Archives, 2002.)
     Evergreen Cemetery is at 1005 S. Hancock Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.  (According to compiled burial records, Thomas A. Ireland was born in 1844 and was buried July 20, 1920, and Martha C. Ireland was born in 1847 and buried May 15, 1923.  They lie together in Lot# 056.)
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3. Descendants of Thomas and Martha Ireland are identified from civil and census records as well as oral family tradition:

First Generation

Martha Evans, born Jun 1847 in Casey Co., KY, died 13 May 1923 in El Paso Co., CO; married Thomas Ireland*, born 26 Apr 1844 in Greene Co., TN; died 16 Jul 1920 in El Paso Co., CO.  Both are buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.

1. William Francis Ireland, born 12 Jan 1868 in Gentry Co., MO, died 26 May 1959 in Gebtry Co., MO, buried Grandview Cem., Albany; married on June 3, 1891 in Gentry Co., MO, Mary Catherine (Kitty) Canaday, born 14 Oct 1871 in Gentry Co., MO, died 23 May 1953 in Gentry County, MO, buried Grandview Cem., Albany.
2. Jefferson Thomas Ireland, born 10 Jan 1873 in Gentry Co., MO, died 5 Nov 1946 in Gentry Co., MO, buried Grandview Cem., Albany.  Never married.
3. James August Ireland, born 18 Feb 1875 in Gentry Co., MO, died 5 Jan 1956 in Albany, Gentry Co., MO, buried Grandview Cem., Albany.  Never married.
4. John Claude Ireland, born 17 Mar 1877 in Gentry Co., MO, died 25 Aug 1944 in Gentry Co., MO, buried Grandview Cem., Albany.  Never married.
5. Lillie M. Ireland, born 15 Sep 1878 in Gentry Co., MO, died 18 Nov 1957 in El Paso Co., CO, buried Evergreen Cem., Colorado Springs; married on 18 Feb 1900 in Gentry Co., MO, Enoch Lee Williams, born 12 Jan 1877 in MO, died 5 Oct 1957 in El Paso Co., CO, buried Evergreen Cem.
6. Charles Robert Ireland, born 23 Jul 1888 in Gentry Co., MO, died sep 1963 in CO; married on 12 Jul 1923 in Boulder Co., CO, Phronie A. Sheldon, born 6 Mar 1892, died Feb 1976 in Denver, CO.
*The three brothers, Jeff, Gus, and John evidently never married and lived in and around Albany for their entire lives (although Gus Ireland appeared in the population schedule of the 1930 US Census for Morgan County, Colorado, in the household of his sister, Mamie Williams).  Concomitantly, the three brothers were living separately in 1920, together in 1930, and, again, separately in 1940.  Reportedly, they were colorful charactersn that enjoyed fishing in the Grand River as well as various other pastimes.
     Enoch and Mamie Ireland Williams had at least two sons, Paul and Victor.  Accordingly, they were living in Colorado Springs in 1920, but had moved to Fort Morgan by 1930.  Concomitantly, in 1930 and 1940, Charles R. Ireland, pharmacist, was listed as resident in Denver, Colorado, with a wife, Phronie, and step-daughter.

a. The residence of Jeff, Gus, and John Ireland is confirmed by population schedules of 1920, 1930, and 1940 US Censuses.  (1920 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pgs. 14A, 27A, & 27B  (microfilm: roll T625_919; imgs. 595, 621, & 622); 1930 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 20A & 33B, (microfilm: roll T626_1188; img. 41 & 68); & 1940 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pgs. 6A, 21B, & 168B (microfilm: roll T627_2106; imgs. 373, 404, & 704).)

b. The family of Enoch Lee and Mamie Ireland Williams can be confirmed by population schedules of 1920 and 1930 US Censuses.  (1920 US Census Population Schedule for El Paso County, Colorado, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 104A, (microfilm: roll T625_163; img. 791) & 1930 US Census Population Schedule for Morgan County, Colorado, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 104B, (microfilm: roll T626_246; img. 215).)

c. The family of Charles Robert and Phronie Ireland can be confirmed by population schedules of 1930 and 1940 US Censuses.  (1930 US Census Population Schedule for Denver County, Colorado, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 94A, (microfilm: roll T626_233; img. 189) & 1940 US Census Population Schedule for Denver County, Colorado, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 363A, (microfilm: roll T627_484; img. 753).)

d. World War I Draft Registration Cards, National Personnel Records Center, National Archives-Southeast Region, Morrow, GA, (microfilm: roll MO-1683214; imgs. 4924, 4925, & 4927).

e. World War I Draft Registration Cards, National Personnel Records Center, National Archives-Southeast Region, Morrow, GA, (microfilm: roll CO-1544491; img. 4712).

f. Marriage Records, Gentry County, Albany, MO:  Bk. 5, pg. 176, (Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO (microfilm: roll 37664; img. 235)).

g. Marriage Record Report, Boulder County, Boulder, CO:  No. 7986.

h. death notice: Albany Ledger; Albany, MO, Thur., Aug. 31, 1944.

i. Death Certificates, Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO, (Death Certificate No. 36625 - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO; Death Certificate No. 27710 - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, & Death Certificate No. 960 - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO).

j. Ben Glick ,"Grandview Cemetery", unpublished. (Gentry County MOGenWeb Archives, www.dropbox.com/sh/slhfvw5i4zjmxft/AABbo65XMBcNG_6_81hC3HvBa/Grandview.pdf?dl=0, 2014.)

k. Grandview Cemetery, Gentry County, Missouri (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=28978&CScn=Grandview&CScntry=4&CSst=26&CScnty=1434&, continuously updated).

Second Generation

1. William Francis Ireland married Mary Catherine (Kitty) Canaday.  After their marriage, they evidently settled in eastern Cooper Township in Gentry County near the village of Darlington and evidently remained there for the remainder of their lives.

1-1. Orville Jackson Ireland, born 2 Jul 1894 in Gentry Co., MO, died 1 Jul 1964 in Albany, Gentry Co., MO, buried Grandview Cem., Albany; married in Jan 1938, Mrs. Lauretta Chapman Whitmore, born 14 Jun 1904, died 30 Mar 1998.
1-2. Hobart Robert Ireland, born May 1897 in MO, died 1981, buried Darlington (Rouse) Cem., Gentry Co., MO, Maud Ross, born 1903, died 1997, buried Darlington (Rouse) Cem., Gentry Co., MO.
l. The family of William F. and Kitty Ireland can be confirmed by population schedules of 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 US Censuses.  (1900 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 161A, (microfilm: roll T623_855; img. 327); 1910 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 131A, (microfilm: roll T624_781; img. 261); 1920 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 58B, (microfilm: roll T625_919; img. 685); 1930 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 72A, (microfilm: roll T626_1188; img. 145); & 1940 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 58B, (microfilm: roll T627_2106; img. 480).)

m. Marriage Records, Gentry County, Albany, MO:  Bk. 3, pg. 50, (Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO (microfilm: roll 37663; img. 293)).

n. marriage notice: Albany Ledger; Albany, MO, Fri., Jun. 5, 1891.

o. Marriage Records, Gentry County, Albany, MO:  Bk. 9, pg. 422, (Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO (microfilm: roll 53447; img. 429)).

p. World War I Draft Registration Cards, National Personnel Records Center, National Archives-Southeast Region, Morrow, GA, (microfilm: roll MO-1683214; img. 4922).

q. Death Certificates, Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO, (Death Certificate No. 17635 - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO & Death Certificate No. 59-017296 - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO).

r. Ben Glick,"Darlington (Rouse) Cemetery", unpublished. (Gentry County MOGenWeb Archives, www.dropbox.com/sh/slhfvw5i4zjmxft/AADUkUMm2nOYZ9ll2lMMckHya/Darlington.pdf?dl=0, 2014.)

s. Darlington (Rouse) Cemetery, Gentry County, Missouri (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=31245&CScn=Darlington&CScntry=4&CSst=26&CScnty=1434&, continuously updated).

Third Generation

1-1. Orville Jackson Ireland married Mrs. Lauretta Chapman Whitmore.  She had been married previously to Harry W. Whitmore and they had two sons.  After their marriage, they settled on a small farm in Cooper Township about three miles soutwest of Stanberry.

1-1-1. Donald P. (Donnie) Ireland
t. The family of Orville and Loretta Ireland can be confirmed by the population schedule of the 1940 US Census  (1940 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 145B, (microfilm: roll T627_2106; img. 657).)

u. World War I Draft Registration Cards, National Personnel Records Center, National Archives-Southeast Region, Morrow, GA, (microfilm: roll MO-1683214; img. 4926).

v. Marriage Application, Worth County, Grant City, MO:  Jan. 8, 1938, (Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO (microfilm: roll 43705)).

w. Death Certificates, Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO, (Death Certificate No. 64-0022703 - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO).

x. Death Master File, Social Security Administration, Washington, DC, continuously updated.

(unpublished notes)
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Additional Citations:

4. 1870 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 549A, (microfilm: roll M593_776; img. 317).

5. 1880 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 483A, (microfilm: roll T9_687; img. 297).

6. 1900 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 160B, (microfilm: roll T623_855; img. 326).

7. 1910 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 138A, (microfilm: roll T624_781; img. 275).

8. 1920 US Census Population Schedule for El Paso County, Colorado, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 171A, (microfilm: roll T625_163; img. 344).

9. Evergreen Cemetery, El Paso County, Colorado (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=57264&CScn=Evergreen&CScntry=4&CSst=7&CScnty=261&, continuously updated).

10. obituary: Albany Ledger; Albany, MO, Thur., Jul. 22 & 29, 1920.

11. Robert L. Evans, "Our Family's History", November 9, 2001.

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