The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-02-02
Ira o. Ryan.

in Appanoose county, Iowa, August
II, 1855 and died at his home, north
of Leon, Iowa, January "a, 1911,
aged SIS years, 5 months and days.
He was the son of Ira B. and Cath
arine Ryan, and was the youngest of
family of twelve children, only
four of whom are now living, John
s. Ryan, of Leon, Iowa, Mrs. o. r.
Harvey, of Anamosa, Iowa, Thomas
G. Ryan, of Eugene, Oregon, and
Mrs. J. S. Arney, Of Van Vert, Iowa.
Ira or Orr as he was Familiarity
and lovingly known came with his
parents to Decatur county, Iowa,
when about two years old and set
tied in the western part of the coun-
ty where they continued to reside
until his father was elected treas
urer of Decatur county, when they
moved to Leon, and it was here that
Orr grew to manhood surrounded by
a host of friends won by his sunny
disposition and winning ways. 1t
was here that he received his early
mental training in the Leon Public1
Schools from which he would have
graduated in a few months had not
his health become impaired and as
his father moved to the farm they
thought his health would improve
in going to the country, and much of
his early religious training at the
Methodist church and Sunday
School. With the exception of few
months at different times he has
been identified with the county ever
since. On September 9th, 1886, he
was united in marriage to Miss Ar
dilla NJ Cox and to this union four
children were born, Eta M, Lulu,
Calvin B., and Lelah. Lulu died in
infancy. The others with the mother
are left to mourn the loss of kind
and affectionate husband and father.
He was a home loving man. He loved
his little family dearly. He was spar
ing no pains to give his children a
good education and prepare them for
the battles of life. During his last
sickness and just a few days before
his death, when he realized that he
had not long to live he expressed a
willingness and readiness to go if it
were not for leaving his family. He
was kind hearted and true, always
jovial and cheerful and seldom down
hearted or discouraged and yet he,
was ever ready to meet the more
serious problems of life. He was
great lover of music. 1t was one of
his favorite pastimes to gather his
family around the organ and sing in
the home. He was good neighbOr
especially in times of sickness when
he was ever ready and willing to
help in any way. He was loved and
respected by all who knew him as
was evidenced by the large con-
course of people who followed him
to his last resting place. He was a
firm believer in the example of life.
Let our lives speak for themselves,
was his motto.
Years ago while working in the
harvest field he was overcome by the
heat from the effects of which he
never fully recovered and which
doubtless paved the way for the
short duration of his last sickness.
Short though his last Illness was.
he suffered much but the calmnessv
and patience with which he bore it
ready for the change, even in the
absence of other evidences. He and
his wife were members of the Pres
byterian church at Leon, but in the
absence of pastor at this time the
funeral services were held at the
Methodist church in Leon, Thurs
day, by the pastor Rev. E. M. Hoff,
under the auspices of the I. o. O. F.
Lodge, of which the deceased was an
active member, after which sorrying
relatives and friends followed the re-
mains to the Leon cemetery, where
they were inferred under the beau
tiful rites of the order. The family
wish to thank the K. P's and the l.
o. o. F. and the many friends for
the beautiful flowers contributed by
them.
We wish to thank the many
friends, who so kindly assisted us
in the sickness and death of our be-
loved husband and father.
Mrs. Ira o. Ryan
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