The New York herald., 1873-11-17
GENERAL w. A. C. RYAN.



From the Chicago Times, Nov. AL
reporter OF the Times has ascertained that
General Ryan had a mother and sister residing at
No. 29o North Market street in this city. Knowing
the deep interest vested in the liie and fate
Of the brave patriot he called at their residence for
the purpose OF elciting any Information OF general
interest that the mother and sister OF the uniortu
nate man might be willing to place in his posses
sion. The reporter found them both deeply affected
by the sad intelligence OF the death OF General
Ryan. Upon the sister, who Is in delicate state
OF health, the terrible blow had fallen with cruel
force, and the mother was inconsolab,e. Apprecia-
ting the depth Of their grief and the cruelty OF
asking them to talk upon the subject uppermost in
their hearts at this time, he dessted from the at
tempt, but was referred by them to
MR.. PATRICK D. RYAN
a brother OF the dead patriot, residing IN Joliet,
but who had arrived In the city on a sympathetic
visit to mis- mother and sister after receiving the
distressing news OF his brothers. death. Mr.. Ryan
courteously gave the reporter the Information lie
sought.
EARLY HISTORY.
General Ryan, whose name, instead OF being
washington Ryan, is william Albert Charles Ryan,
was born in Toronto, Canada In March. 1s4s, and
consequently at the time OF his death had not
reached the years which are supposed to bring
manhood to It's prime. william, as he was gen
orally called by his parents and associates, as a
boy ever manifested desire for a Lie OF adven.
ture and excitement His was restless, untam-
aOle disposition, never satisfied when not partic-
patlng IN something sav0ring OF dash and spirit
lie apparently was born Tor just such enter
prise rs cost him his life.. The usual dull, mo.
notonous surroundings OF boyhood were borne
with q dislike that was but lily concealed and
from MS earliest years he restless, longing tor
scenes that would cater 20 his thirst Tor life OF
activity and adventure. In his boyhood, as much
as possible this was gratEed by his lively partcl-
patoh In ail the active sports OF his pl9yicllows,
ana In each OF them he came 10 be recognized
courage, always ready for the most adventurous
sport that might present itseu. Was any boyish
exploit OF more than usual daring TO be attempted,
Ryan was che Of the foremost OF those to enter
upon H. What school advantages could be OBJ
taned at Toronto he eagerly seized upon, for win
and "a Is generally the with boys oil his tenn
permanent, learned with great rapdity His cdu-
cation could not be said TO have been extensive,
but II was thorough 30 far 2s it went, and COM
prsed knowledge OF the studies pursued at the
best Toronto schools OF that day. But Ryan was
MOI CUT OUT FOR SCHOLAR,
and besides hts circumstances were not such az to
be had possess this opportunity it is not likely
that he would have availcd himself OF its priv.
leges HIS appreciation OF scholarly attainments
was not to be a-lbtcd, but bis disposition too
much favored .ife OF activity TO permit him 10
pass the years OF quiet necessary to gain such.
even u ne had been recunlarly able. Ryan's
father died While William was yet a Doy and ne
then lett school and lrst started out in lie with
extracting az much excitement as possible ont OF
the duties OF
cLEEksHIp IN GENERAL STORE
IN TQrpptoa but they ware nok many, spd the dull