Charles H Ireland

• American

Charles H Ireland of Greensboro, merchant, philanthropist, and friend of education, and the man for whom the Ireland House on West Friendly Avenue was built, was born in Lovington, Virginia, on March 12, 1859. He was the only son of James and Henrietta Pointer Ireland. He received an early education in the school of Henry L Davies, a well-known educator and author. In 1877, Ireland took a position as a clerk in a Lynchburg hardware store; thus, he was introduced to the business that was to make him nationally prominent and extremely prosperous At the age of twenty-three, he moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, to take charge of the hardware department of Odell and Company, a building supply firm founded by James A Odell, that also specialized in dry goods and notions. Greensboro in the early twentieth century was rapidly developing as a regional commercial city, and ambitious businessmen like Ireland contributed to and benefitted from its growth.

James A Odell announced his retirement and moved to Durham in 1884. Ireland led a reorganization of the firm which became known as the Odell Hardware Company Dry goods and notions were discontinued. Ireland became secretary and manager of the reorganized firm and demonstrated such sound business leadership that he was retained in that position when Odell decided to return to the company as its president. James A Odell permanently retired in 1912, and Ireland succeeded to the position of president and general manager. He retained control of the firm until shortly his death. Under Ireland's guidance, the Odell Hardware Company rose to a place of eminence in the hardware industry. With capital assets valued in execs of half a million dollars in 1928, it employed 125 people. Ireland's business abilities also earned him a reputation as one of the leading hardware men in the country. - NRHP, 8 March 1979