IRA W. BIRD


From History of Dane County, Wisconsin, publ. by Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1880, page 953-954

IRA W. BIRD, retired; was born Aug. 7, 1829, in Oneida Co, N.Y.; he was educated in the public schools of Cayuga Co., N.Y., where his mother removed during his childhood; when he was but three years of age, his father died. The father, Allan BIRD, was a contractor and builder, and, in common with nearly all the BIRDS, was an active worker in political affairs. At the age of 19, I. W. settled in Onondaga Co., N.Y., and there learned the trade of carriage-maker; in 1851, he began carrying on business as carriage manufacturer in Skaneateles, N.Y.; he was quite successful in his business, but, in the fall of 1855, he sold out and came West; that same season, he settled in Madison, and became associated with his brother, Truman E. BIRD, in the manufacture of carriages. He was married Sept. 24, 1851, to Miss Christina L. STONER, who was born Aug. 31, 1829, a daughter of Henry STONER, a Drum Major in the war of 1812; they have had four children - Spencer A., who died at the age of 25, after having been an invalid for twenty years; Truman E., who is now in charge of a telegraph office in Blair, Neb.; Alice, who died in infancy, and Cassie B. BIRD, who was born July 24, 1861 - an event registered in the family Bible as having occurred the next day after the battle of Bull Run. At the commencement of the war, he was appointed Chief of Police and Street Commissioner, which offices he held two years; was afterward four years in mercantile business; on the 7th of December 1875, he was appointed by Gov. TAYLOR one of the "Railroad Farm Mortgage Land Commissioners," which office he still holds; he was seven years W. M. of Hiram Lodge, No. 50, A.F. & A.M., in Madison, and he is a 32d Degree Mason. The family attend the Congregational Church. He owns an attractive home on Main street, and also other real estate in the city, he is not now actively engaged in any business; does not want for the good things of the life; is a respected pioneer and useful citizen.

Transcribed and contributed to this site by Carol

 

 

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