The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-12-24
FIRST WOMAN CITIZEN.
Her Sturdy Lads and Clever Lasses
Become Prominent Citiaeus.
Known as the ''Widow Ryan"-Was .
Clever Business Woman-ShOrt
sketch OF Her Life and what
Some of Her Children Ac-
complisheL.
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 at comment, 1t was dit'
lereut matter. however, when along In the
tortes the first woman Of foreign birth AZ.
Piled for and received papers Of citizenship
after declaring IN set form shat 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 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 a full under
standing OF the advantages and responsible,
ties Of american citizenship.
THE Widow Ryan" as she was known
in Davies County, Indiana, was a great
woman with clever business head and left
behind her those who grew to be worthy
their impress upon the State.
One of these sons James B, Ryan became
treasurer OF the State of Indiana. and a 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 Thirtyiifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
better known as the Irish Regiment"
Another son is Thomas r. Ryan who is
now 50 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 60 in the
vicisstudes Of trade and sudden panic.
In the early ,tifties smitten BY the gold
fever he went by way Of the l,thmus Of
Panama to California, and he has always re.
tanned the frce,hearted, 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.
1881 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 group Of gentlemen
at the Indianapolis Board of Trade, II have
been extremely sensitive in my lower limbs,
to weather changes. Ii my legs had been
filed with quick silver do not think they
could have, responded more quickly or more
to climatic conditions.
During the past two years this infrmity
became much worse, and began TO be
alarmed, fearing paralysis. My legs were
cold apd recently from my knees down were
without sensation. l 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
a pleasing one.
u happened to meet my old friend Capt. |
G. !, Shepard, Of this ..city, He was chant,