William M. Ireland (died December 24, 1891) was one of the eight founders of the

National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry The Grange, officially named The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is a social organization in the United States that encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and ...

, a fraternal organization in the United States.

Biography

Ireland was born in Pennsylvania but lived most of his life in Washington, D.C., as chief clerk in the offices of the

U.S. Post Office Department The United States Post Office Department (USPOD; also known as the Post Office or U.S. Mail) was the predecessor of the United States Postal Service, in the form of a Cabinet department, officially from 1872 to 1971. It was headed by the postma ...

. When the National Order of the Grange of Patrons of Husbandry was founded in 1866, Ireland served as the first treasurer until 1870. He was an avid

Freemason Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

, Ireland added valuable knowledge to organizational systems and methods in the formative period of the Grange movement. His ability to be a critic and adviser in setting up the work of the Grange created a balance of knowledge and inspiration. His accounting abilities also aided in the system of financial policy within the Grange. He died on December 24, 1891, and was buried in Mount Vernon Cemetery in Philadelphia. The other founders of the Grange were

Oliver Hudson Kelley Oliver Hudson Kelley (January 7, 1826 – January 20, 1913) was one of the key founders of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, a fraternal organization in the United States.William D. Barns, "Oliver Hudson Kelley and the ge ...

, William Saunders, Francis M. McDowell, John Trimble,

Aaron B. Grosh Reverend Aaron Burt Grosh (1803 – March 27, 1884), a Universalist minister, was one of the eight founders of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, a fraternal organization in the United States. He had a major part in ...

John R. Thompson John Richardson Thompson (July 28, 1834 – February 12, 1894) was one of the eight founders of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, a fraternal organization in the United States. Biography Thompson was born on July 28, 1834, ...

and Caroline A. Hall. The first subordinate grange was founded in Washington, D.C., on January 8, 1868, and Ireland served as the schoolmaster. Ireland was responsible for the publication of The Journals of Proceedings for the organization and compiled ten annual sessions from 1875 to 1883. At the twelfth session of the Grange, Ireland was elected to fill the remaining term as secretary and was re-elected three times afterward.

Citations

Year of birth unknown 1891 deaths Burials at Mount Vernon Cemetery (Philadelphia) National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry People from Pennsylvania United States Postal Service people {{US-bio-stub