The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-29


Bradford county, Pennsylvania. where
he studied law and started in the prac-
tice.
In 1862 he entered the Union army as
a private and served until 1864. When
mustered out of the service he had
risen to the rank of captain. He was
wounded in the battle of Stone River.
In 1865 Mr.. Ryan came to Kansas
and located in Topeka, intending to
build up a law practice. He got into
politics and was elected county attor-
ney of Shawnee county in 1866, which
Office ne held till 1873. when he was ap-
pointed assistant United States district
attorney under George R. Peck.
Mr.. Ryan held the Office of assistant
district attorney four years, till 1877,
when he went TO congress.
He was elected to congress in 1876
from what was then called the Third
district, which extended from Shawnee
county west beyond Dodge City.
When the state was redistricted
Shawnee county was put in the Fourth
district and Mr.. Ryan was reelected
to congress at each election till the
time he was appointed minister to
Mexico in 1889 by President Harrison.
During his congressional career MI
Ryan was member OF torty-hfth'
Forty-sixth Forty-Seventh, Forty
eigth, Forty-ninth and Fiftieth con-
crosses, and was elected to the F1fty-
first congress.
During the period of his service as as
sistant United States attorney he was
a member of the law firm of Peck, Ryan
& Johnson.
He resigned from the Fifty-frst con
gress to accept an appointment from
President Harrison to be United States
minister to Mexico, which was then
second class mission. Immediately
after his appointment his friends in the
senate and house had the mission
raised to the first class, Of the same
rank as England, Germany and France.
He was very popular in Mexico and
made a splendid record in the state de-
partment. receiving hlgn praise from
Secretary Blaine.
After his return from Mexico he re-
sum ed the practice of his profession IN
Topeka and has always maintained his
nome here. After his service as minis
ter he was sent to the City of Mexico by
President McCurdy of the Mutual Life
Insurance company OF New ork' 10
negotiate for tine admission of that COM
pAny to do business in the republic OF
Mexico. This work he ACCOMPLISHED 50
satisfactorily that Mr.. McCurdy after
wards asked him to go to Eimira, n.
Y to attend to the business of the COM
pany in connection with some properties
on which they had made large loans,
which were about to be fOrecloSed.
Mr. Ryan remained in Elmira a year
until the foreclosure proceedings were
concluded. and then came home TO TO
peka where he has since devoted his
time to legal matters. having an office
In the Columbian building.
His appointment as assistant secreta-
~ of the interior was urged by the en-
from Kansas. and was secured by their
energy and perseverance. The appoint
1nent demonstrates that the congress-
ioral delegation is to control Kansas af
fairs. Senator Baker and Congressman
Curtis and Broderick worked for Mr..
Ryan's appointment with all the earn
estness they could command and were
helped by the most powerful influences
in Kansas Gov. Osborn, Gov. Morrill,
and other prominent KanSanS were also
enthusiastic supporters OF Ryan's can
didacy.
The business of the interior depart
rnent that will come under Mr.. Ryan's
supervision will be in line with his
work while in congress
He entered congress in 1877, at the
same time that Major Mckinley first
took his seat in that body. and during
several successive congresses was the
chairman of the sub committee on Indi-
an appropriations, on which committee
Major Mckinley and two members of
the present cabinet, Long and Mcken-
ma, served.
Mr.. Ryan was also member of the
committee on public lands.
Mr.. Ryan will prOba bly, assume the
duties of his new position at once. His
wife is at present in Topeka at the home
of her sister, Mrs. James L. King.
HOUSE.
Washington, March 29.-The house to-
day was an hour and a quarter in Sc
curing quorum. An amendment was
adopted placing duty of one dollar 4