Irons, B. O.

B. O. IRONS, Postmaster at Linesville, was born in Conneaut Township, this county, February 24, 1824, son of George and Rachel L. (Lane) Irons, who settled in Conneaut Township, this county, in 1816, on the farm now owned by W.H. Bradt, which they cleared and improved and where they lived and died. George Irons was a native of New York City, a son of Capt. John Irons, a native of Holland and an old sea Captain, who was drowned in New York harbor Rachel L, the wife of George, was a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of James and Susan (Keats) Bishop, who settled in what is now Summit Township, this county, in 1816. George Irons had nine children, of whom three died in infancy, and six grew to maturity, viz.: Martha A., now Mrs. J.V. Ladner; Mary E., afterward Mrs. S.L. Curtis, deceased; James R.; William B.; Susan A., now Mrs. A.W. Bunnell, and Bradford O. Our subject was reared in Conneaut Township, this county, and educated in the common schools. He was married October 4, 1854, to Amanda, daughter of Lewis and Lorinda (Crooker) Ward, of Cussewago Township, this county, by whom he had one son, G. Warner, who died in his twenty-sixth year. After his marriage Mr. Irons was engaged in farming seven years in Conneaut Township, and then removed to Linesville, where he embarked in mercantile business, in which he was actively engaged for several years. In 1874 he was appointed Postmaster at Linesville, which position he still holds. His wife died December 11, 1883, aged fifty-two. Both she and her son were members of the Baptist Church of Linesville, as is also our subject, who has been a member since seventeen years of age. Mr. Irons is a member of the I.O.O.F., and is one of the representative and leading citizens of Linesville; he has served as Burgess of Linesville, and has held many other minor offices. In politics he is a Republican, and a strong advocate of temperance principles. Mr. Irons also owns the land situated within the northern limits of Linesville, known as the Northwestern Pennsylvania Poultry Farm, upon which he has recently erected several buildings adapted to the poultry business. Messrs. H.J. Eager and M.B. Naramore have rented the premises for a term of years, and are establishing the most extensive poultry business in this part of the State.