NORMAN TILLSON IRELAN belongs to one of Darke county's older families and is one of the largest landowners in Harrison township.  He lives on the outskirts of Hollansburg, in the house built by his father in 1882, and has retired from active farming.  He was a teacher in early life and has been interested in the cause of education and every movement which would work for the good of the community, all his life.  He has always been one of the more substantial and prominent citizens, as was his father before him, and has been influential among his fellow townsmen.  He is president of the People's Banking Company of Hollasburg and his name stands for business integrity wherever found.  He has been associated with Hollansburg all his life and was born there December 14, 1851, son of Aaron Abel and Phoebe (Tillson) Irelan.  The father, more familiarly known as "A. A." was born in Preble county, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1818, and died July 26, 1910, having spent all his active life farming in Harrison township.  He also run a huckster wagon to Cincinnati for a few years and had a general store at Stewartsville a little town below the present site of Hollansburg, but when the latter town was started he moved his store and stock to that town and kept his business there until 1856.  He was prominent in local affairs, and served as justice of the peace for some ten years and as township trustee for several years.  His wife, who was born in Harrison township Apr. 15, 1830, died May 5, 1913, and both were buried in Hollansburg cemetery.  They had nine children, all born in Harrison township, five of whom died in childhood, and of the other four two now survive: Norman T. was the fourth child in order of birth; William T., who was a teacher in the Greenville schools and resided in Hollansburg, died some eight or ten years ago; Clara Leona, wife of O. L. Downing, of German township, died in August, 1912; Cora Williams lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her son Guy.  The mother of these children was a member of the Christian church.
     After completing the course of the Hollansburg school and during 1870-71 attending school in Greenville two terms, Mr. Irelan took up teaching as a profession, and since that time has continued his education by reading and observation.  From the age of eighteen years he taught six years and then on account of poor health decided to take up some other occupation.  He was of great assistance to his father in the management of his business affairs.  He spent four yeas farming in German township and in 1882 returned to Harrison township, since his home.  He carried on a farm one mile south of Hollansburg from 1882 to 1906, then located at Hollansburg to be able to care for his aged parents, and still lives on his father's farm.  He was of much comfort to his parents during their last days and was always a dutiful son.  He owns 214 acres of choice farming land, with the house he occupies and another one across the road.  He feeds many head of stock and carries on a line of diversified farming.  He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first presidential ballot for Winfield Hancock.  He has served in various local offices.  Was township trustee fifteen years, town clerk four yeast, and for ten years was president of the school board during which time Hollansburg high school and schools Nos. 11 and 12 were erected.  He has been president of the bank since it was organized in 1902.  He and his wife were members of the Christian Church and he is clerk of same.  He became a chorister of the church at the age of eighteen years and continues in this position at the present time.  In teaching he interested his pupils in music taught them to read it and have a taste for good music.  He is one of the best vocal and instrumental music teachers in the town and inherited his taste in this direction.  His first teacher in music was the wife of Dr. Bookwalter, of Greenville, whom he succeeded in later years.  Mr. Irelan is a leader in the community by reason of his upright life and his career is one any young man might follow with interest and profit, hoping to win as good a standing in his locality.
     Mr. Irelan was married Mar. 18, 1875, to Miss Clara Medora Turner, born Jan. 15, 1855, daughter of L. G. and Sarah (Endsley) Turner, both deceased.  Mr. Turner was born in Wayne county, Indiana, July 19, 1831, and died Oct. 16, 1909, and Mrs. Turner was born Mar. 3, 1835.  Mr. Turner was a farmer and came to Darke county in the spring of 1864.  He is buried in Hollansburg cemetery.  They had two sons and two daughters: Mrs. Irelan; Percy LaRue, of Greenville; Charles B. died at the age of two years; Rose A., wife of Henry Wolfal, of Darke  county.  Mr. Turner served as justice of the peace several years before his death, for some years was mayor of Hollansburg, and was highly respected.  He was at one time candidate for probate judge but was defeated.
     Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Irelan: James Eugene, born Sept. 14, 1877, married Laura Pearl Martin, lived in Harrison Township, died Sept. 12, 1812, was buried at Hollansburg, leaving a wife and four children - Aaron Garr, Harry, Foster and Donnie; Rose Ona, born Sept. 22, 1880, married Ira F. Thomas, Dec. 22, 1900, and they reside at Tiffany., Laplatta county, Colorado, and have one daughter, Ruth; George A., born Aug. 3, 1882, on Aug. 2, 1905, married Amber Wiley, lives in Wayne county, Indiana, and they have two sons, Cornelius and Paul; Nora, born June 10, 1879, married (first) Jan. 19, 1901, E. E. Spencer, who died Mar. 18, 1908, leaving one son, Marcus Claudius, and married (second), July 27, 1911, Mr. J. W. Harris. They now live on part of the father's farm, across the road from him, and have one son, Norman Alfred Harris, aged fourteen months; Charles L., born Dec. 12, 1883, a graduate of high school, died Oct. 26, 1903, and is buried in Hollansburg cemetery; Ora Gilbert, born Oct. 9, 1887, residing in Richmond, Indiana, on Apr. 18, 1908, married Angie J. Alexander, and they have one child, Clara Enid; Izetta G., born Feb. 23, 1891, on Sep. 14, 1912, married Merle Simpson and they live at Palestine, Darke county; Arno W., born Feb. 19, 1894, and died May 16, 1895.
† Source:  History of Darke County, Ohio - Vols. I & II - Milford, Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914 - Page 453