The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1879-10-30
JOEL RYAN.
An obituary.

DEAR CHIEF:- enter upon subject that feel
unable to do justice to- am in possession of certain
will doubtless prove interesting to many of his old
friends and neghbore. He was born in Sumner
County. Tennessee, in the year 1879 and his
old. His father died while he quite young leav-
ing him and his other brothers to support large
and INDECENT family. They worked faithfully and
nobly, and not only made the living, but succeeded
in educating themselves, and also their younger
brothers and sisters and that too in country where
there were NO free schools. He was overseer ON
plantation. at the age Of sixteen and had forty
negro hands under him. Being great fvorite among
the shareholders who were generally sporting men.
hs early =, those a,o Rs. ass finally led
OF an eventful one than most people are aware Of.
He served q volunteer in two Indian wars-the
removed across the Mississippi; next in the
Florida war. He also . soldier in the Mexican
war. under Col Donphan, and was one Of the first
Andrew County where he learned the trade Of brick
making and brick masonry. He then moved to st.
Joseph, when that town first laid ont, and built
about the first Of the brick buildings in the place.
For many years he was one of the leading men of
St. Joseph In his early days he was considered at
ractve. and might have made some good lady happy
excitement but subsequently, returned to St Joseph,
and in the Spring of 1854 located the homested at
Ryan's Station, where he lived secluded life until
his death, and where he now lies buried. He was -
prominent Proslavcry man during the early Kansas
troubles, and was candidate on the Proslavery
TICKET lerrltOfihi leRleiature,
ed. He possessed moro intelligence than the casual
observer gave him credit for. The writer hereof has
been edited many times, listening to him tell about
the political meetings and bear hunts in early days,
in the South. Aside from his only besettng sin, he
was q gentleman true friend, and good neighbor.
He a man of excellent social qualities and fine
conversational powers, and best appreciated by
those who knew him best He was old Free Mason,
and expressed desire, learn, to have been buried
with the honors of that Order; but his death
sudden that his brethren did not get word until it
was too late to grant him that last sad request.
But all is over now. He sleeps on the lonely hill
side of his old Kansas homestead. The Winds of com.
ing centuries may howl the lonely grave he is
at rest. The Spring time and flowers will come and
go, and come again, and hands fair and tender may
decorate the mound where lie, beneath the ashes of
Uncle Joel"-he will heed them not. A mans good
deeds live after he is daad. Let say this viii be
the case with "Uncle JOEL" When future genera
tons shall look back through the vista Of forgotten
years, may they not trace out the effects of some
good deed of hist We cannot tell! Let us bid him
a long, affectionate farewell.
"He has crossed the sorrowful River
That mOurns through the valley of years,
And the hands of love incarnate
Has wiped away all tears"
Fraternally,
OLD VET.
SEVERANCE, KANSAS Oct. 81, 1879