From The Sabbath Recorder, the newspaper of the Seventh Day Baptist Church.
Oliver B. Irish, son of George and Betsy Irish, was born in North Stonington, CT August 12, 1826, and died at Farina, IL November 8, 1911, age 85 years, 2 months and 26 days.
Mr. Irish was the youngest of 8 children, of whom only Mrs. Mary C. Green of Hopkinton, RI is now living. A brother, the Rev. James R. Irish, was for a time principal of Alfred Academy and of DeRuyter Institute for several years. Mr. Irish was married to Miss Sarah Anthony of Portsmouth, RI on april 25, 1854. To them were born 5 children, 4 of whom died in infancy.
Mr. & Mrs. Irish began housekeeping at Ashaway, RI where for years he kept a grocery and dry-goods store. During this time he was postmaster for 7 years, and also filled other positions of trust. He was interested in educational matters, teaching on the island of Rhode Island at Ashaway, in DeRuyter Institute, and at Farina. He served as one of the trustees of Hopkinton Academy.
In early life Brother Irish made a public profession of Christianity and united with the Seventh-day Baptist church at Hopkinton City, RI. In March 1866, he came to Farina to live, and at the organization of the Seventh-day Baptist church on April 14, 1866, he became one of its constituent members. Removing to Hammond, LA, he became a constituent member of the church organized there in 1888. He retained membership with the Hammond Church until the time of his death. Nearly 12 years ago he returned to Farina that they might be nearer their son, J. H. Irish, who lives at Vandalia, IL.
Brief services were held at the home in Farina on Friday morning, conducted by the pastor of the Farina Church.