The leader., 1897-12-01
FIRST WOMAN CITIZEN.
Her Sturdy Lads and Clever Lasscs
Become Prominent Citizens
Known ms the .wIdow Rynn--was a
Clever business woman-short
sketch of Her Life and what
Some of Her Children Ac-
comp1ishcd.
FROM the News. Indianapolis. Ind


Hundreds Of thousands Of men of foreign
birth have taken out papers declaring their
| citizenship in Indiana since that state was
| admitted into the Union in 1916 without
| creating remark or comment. II was diff
| ferent matter, however, when along IN the
| forties the first woman of foreign birth APP
| piled for and received papers Of citizenship
after declaring in set form that she re
nounced all allegiance to every prince or
potentate on earth.
This first woman citizen" was an Irish
widow who settled in southern Indiana with
| her progeny of sturdy lads and clever lasses
| upon a farm which she had bought. She
had taken out naturalization papers in order
to manage her property to better advantage,
and for the further purpose Of starting her
| family as true Americans with full under
standing of the advantages and responsible
ties of American citizenship.
"The Widow Ryan" as she was known
| in Daviess County, Indiana; was a great
| woman with clever business head and left
behind her those who grew to- be worthy
| men and worthy women, and who have lett
| their impress upon the State.
One Of these sons James b. Ryan became
| treasurer of the State of Indiana, and son.
in-law, NJ. L. Brett, also held that high and
| honorable position. Another son was the
late Lieut.. Col. Richard j. Ryan who was
| probably the most brilliant and gifted orator
| that Indiana ever produced. and who during
the war for the Union served his country in
the Thrty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
better known as 'the Irish Regiment
Another son is Thomas f. Ryan who is
now SO years old, and with few intervals OF
absence has been a resident of indianapolis
for forty-two years. Mr.. Ryan has been an
active business man all his life and has seen
more than one fortune come and go in the
vicissitudes of trade and sudden panic.
In the early fifties smltten by the gold
he. h. nf he Of of
Panama to California, and he has always re-
tanned the free-heartcd, open and trusting
confidence that distinguished the gallant
pioneers of the golden State. He has been
all over the far west engaged in mining and
trade operations in Oregon, Arizona and
Montana. From May, 1885 until August,
1887 he was the government agent at the
Seal Islands off the Alaska coast, highly
responsible position.
For ten years or MORE" said Mr.. Ryan
in conversation with a group of gentlemen
at the Indianapolis Board of Trade, Il have
been extremely sensitive in my lower limbs,
to weather changes. If my legs had been
filled with quick silver / do not think they
could have responded more quickly or more
disagreeably. to climatic conditions.
During the past two years this infrmity
became much worse, and l began to be
alarmed, fearing paralysis My legs were
cold and recently from my knees down were
without sensation. | could walk only short
distances and would even then experience
great WEAKNESS. | became more and more
alarmed. | naturally thought of paralysis
or locomotor ataxia. The prospect was not
pleasing one.
II happened to meet my old friend Capt.
c. +. Shepard, of this city. He was chant
ing the praises of DR.. Williams Pink Pills
for Pale People and gave me his experience,
telling me that he had been brought by
using them from bed where he lay, help
less, his physician having declared him
hopeless victim of loeomotor ataxia, and was
now as active as any man of his age, not
even requiring the use of cane. Upon his
recommendation | began the use OF DIR.
Williams Pink Pills.
Il found positive relief, after taking few
doses. The numbness in my limbs dlsap-
peared as if by magic and | can walk as lar
as | like at good rapid gait and without
WEAKNESS. This you may understand is
great boon to a man who has been OF an
active habit of life and who still likes to
depend to great extent upon his legs to get
around in the world.
The pills also drove the rheumatism out
of my hip for have not been bothered with
it since | began their use. | think L shall
have to ioin Captain Shepard in his praises
of DR.. Williams Pink Pills for Pale
People"
DR.. Williams Pink Pills for Pale People
contain, in a condensed form, all the ele-
ments necessary to give new life and rich,
ness to the blood and restore shattered
nerves. They are also specific for troubles
peculiar to females, such as suppressions, ir-
regularities and all forms of weakness. They
build up the blood, and restore the glow OF
health to pale and sallow cheeks. In men
they effect a radical cure in all cases arising
from mental worry, overwork or excuses OF
whatever nature. These pills are sold IN
boxes never in loose bulk at so cents boX
or six boxes for $3.50, and may be had OF all
druggists, or direct by mail from Dr. vii
liams' Medicine Company, Schenectady
Ny