Title	Mr.
Last Name	Ireland
First Name	Francis
Middle Name	Ashbury
Maiden Name
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Dexter, ME
Date of Birth	1843-07-27
Place of Death	Pittsfield, MA
Date of Death	1928-04-28
Publication	The Eastern Gazette 5-3-1928, p.8
Obituary	Francis A. Ireland Francis A. Ireland, 85, a veteran of the Civil war, for 23 years messenger in the general court at Boston, died Saturday afternoon at 12.30 in his home in Pittsfield, Mass. For some time he had been in failing health, having suffered a paralytic shock nearly two years ago, Mr. Ireland is survived by his widow and one daughter, Mrs. William S. Gould, of Dexter, the birthplace of Mr. Ireland. Funeral services were held in Pittsfield Monday morning and the remains brought to this town for burial which took place Tuesday forenoon. Mr. Ireland often had expressed a desire that in the home of his boyhood his ashes should find their final rest. Mr. Ireland studied in the public schools of Dexter and was preparing for college when the war broke out. He wanted to enlist, but his parents strenuously objected. In 1862, however, after the opening of hostilities, he enlisted in Company E, 22nd Maine regiment. During the term with the colors he was in the department of the Gulf of Louisiana. He was in the siege of Port Hudson in which so many men from this section of the country had a part. He never was in a hospital and never missed a march whatever the conditions of wind and weather. In the after-war years Mr. Ireland was employed by the Pomeroy Woolen Company and later became messenger at the State House, which position he held for 23 years. He received his appointment for the legislative session of 1921, but owing to the continued ill health of Mrs. Ireland and his advancing years and the desire to take a well earned rest, he declined the appointment. Mr. Ireland was one of the most efficient, painstaking and gracious messengers that ever held the office from this section of the state and his familiar face was missed by Berkshire people who had occasion to go to the state house on business. For over 25 years he was secretary of the Berkshire county G. A. R., association and for a long time departmental patriotic instructor of the organization.