WILLIAM T. IRELAN (sometimes referred to as William T. Ireland) was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with Engine Company 1 on April 5, 1882. He replaced John W. Toy. William T. Irelan served with the Fire Department for one year and was replaced by William Miller. William T. Irelan worked as an "oysterman" during his time with the Fire Department. He was living at 1031 Locust Street when appointed. 

William Irelan was born in New Jersey is 1858 to Marshall Irelan and his wife, the former Amelia Taylor. His father worked as a stevedore and as a day laborer. The Irelan family was living in Camden's South Ward at the time of the 1860 Census. Besides William there was an older sister, Mary and an older brother, also named Marshall. The Irelan family was still living in Camden's South Ward when the Census was taken in 1870, and were still in South Camden at the time of the 1880 Census enumeration. The family was then living at 1031 Locust Street. Marshall and Amelia Irelan were still at that address as late as 1896.

William Irelan appears to have married in 1882. The 1993-1884 City Directory shows William Irelan at 1033 Locust Street, working as a waterman. He is listed twice in the 1885 Directory, at 1118 Locust, working as a foreman, and at 223 Mount Vernon Street as a waterman. The 1887-1888 City Directory gives William Irelan's address as 1102 South 2nd Street, and the 1888-1889 edition shows him at 1129 South 2nd Street.

The City Directories for 1890-1891 and 1892-1893 show William Irelan at 1131 South 2nd Street. The 1893-1894 City Directory lists Fannie C. Irelan, "widow of William T." at 1142 South Front Street.