The Ketchikan miner., 1909-05-15

Kansas in 1859, when be was a boy of eleven. It is striking fact that the of his life all came in May. He was born on May 2l, was married on May and was translated on May 9th.
 He spent stirring boyhood. It was in the thrilling war days. He enlisted in the Kansas volunteers in 1863 when n lad of fourteen and came out of the war a veteran before he could vote. In 1868 he helped to organize the Tth Kansas cavalry to fight the Indians, his name being the second on the list. His commission as first lieutenant is- sued by Gov. Crawford, who himself resigned to become the colonel of the regiment. being now in the possession of the family. He served with Custer up to his last campaign when he re- tired with captains commission be- fore he was twenty-one.
 On May ?, 1870 be was married to Miss Emma Randall of Chautauqua county, N. Y., the wife beloved who has crossed life with him. Of this union three children were born, all of " hom with the loving wife are living and were with him to the last.
 They are Leroy D. and Floyd E. Ryus our esteemed fellow townsmen and Florence R. Baker of Hains. Three bright grandchildren, one of whom bears his name, are left to honor his memory, while four brothers far away hear of his departure with sadness as the first break in the group.
 In 1875 he left Atchison, Kansas, going to Texas, where he engaged in the drug business with Dr. L. J Ran- dall at Aurora and later moved to Graham. Young county, where be en- gagged in business for himself. In 1887 he was sent east to solicit aid for the drought sufferers in Young county and secured sufficient to satisfy the full wants of the people.
 h 1890 he was one of two democrats to be appointed by President Harrison as supervisors of census in the State of Texas. His district being the larg- est in the state, covering 157 counties His work was so we'll done that he re- ceived personal letter of commend ation from Gen. Porter, commissioner of census.
 In 1892 he moved to Childress, Texas. In 1895 he moved to Puget Sound and located in business in Bell ingham where he was prominent in the church, fraternal and civic life of that city, being elected in 1898 to the office of councilman at large. He went to Nome in the days of it's exciting scenes.
 In 1901 he came to this city and en- tering the drug business has been for eight years one of our most honored men.
 The founder of the Methodist church in ketchikan, for years president of our school board, eminent in all mat ters that have concerned our town, he has left a lasting impress on this city.
 One of the most marked experiences of his life was in 1880 in Graham, Tex as. when in the strength of manhood he calmly and firmly accepted the call of God and became an earnest Christ ian. He united with the Methodist church, south and coming north be- came an active leader in the Metho- dist Episcopal church of which he has been a devout and loved ember. His religion was the first thing in his life. He was won't to say of Masonry which he loved, 1t cannot take the place of religion and the church.
 He died as he had lived, a true Christian.
 There is no question of the future of such a man. Even the children on the streets say surely he went to heaven if any man does." Blessed is she man of whom the children can say that. Blessed the home with the memory of such father.