Ryan, Rev. J. Evans d. 1903

RYAN, WORMLEY, MEYERS, HAWKINS

Posted By: Janice Young (email)
Date: 1/25/2004 at 12:12:41

Rev. J. Evans Ryan, B. D.

The Newton (IA) Daily Herald, Saturday, May 9, 1903

Page 1, Column 4

Rev. J. Evans Ryan B. D., was born in the town of Roscrea, Ireland. Immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1831 and was residing in the city of Montreal during the great cholera epidemic of the year 1832. He was then about 9 years old. In 1837 he entered the dry goods house in the capacity of clerk, serving in that capacity for seven years, doing business in the cities of Toronto, Ontario, Buffalo, New York and other cities.

In 1845 he united with the church and resolved to become a minister. He at once commenced his studies at the Academy of Romero, Mich., then under the charge of Rev. Prof. Rufus Nutting, Sr.

During the winter of 1846 and 1847 he taught school and “boarded round” among the neighbors and patrons of the school.

In the fall of 1847 he entered the freshman class of Western Reserve College, then located at Hudson, Ohio. Here he remained three years, but being poor and out of funds he left college at the close of his junior year to accept a position tendered him as tutor in “Millnor Hall,” a school for boys, and at the same time became a divinity student of “Bexley Hall” both institutions being located at Gambler, the seat of Kenyon College, Knox Co., Ohio. From Bexley Hall he graduated in 1853 and the same year was ordered Deacon by the Rt. Rev. Charles P. McIlvaine, Bishop of Ohio. By the same bishop on the following year he was ordained to the sacred office of priest and served for several years as rector of Grace Church, Berkshire, and Christ Church, Warren, Ohio.

In 1858 he was sent by the church as Missionary to Kansas, then a territory.

From the rectorship of Trinity Church, Atchison, Kansas, he was called to take charge of Saint Paul’s, Des Moines, Iowa, and entered on the duties of that important parish in the fall of 1864. For twenty-six years he labored continuously in the Diocese of Iowa, serving faithfully and successfully the various parish churches to which he was called.

He has had the honor of being elected in 1871 and again in 1877 to represent the Diocese of Iowa in the General Convention of the Church and was for many years Dean of the Northern and Central Convocations.

In 1885 he resigned the rectorship of the Church of the Good Shepherd, East Des Moines on account of ill health, much to the regret of his people.

He afterwards moved to this city where the remainder of his days were spent in quietude at his beautiful home, corner of Farmer and Temperance Streets.

Rector Ryan was first married to Miss Mary Meyers of Oberlin, Ohio, in 1854. She lived but nine years. In 1864 he was married to Miss Sophia Wormley of Marshall, Mich., who also lived nine years. April 8, 1875, he was again married, wedding a sister of this second wife, Mrs. Susan Wormley Hawkins, who survives.

Rector Ryan was intellectual and scholarly, scrupulously honest mentally and was in every sense representative of the best citizenship. In conducting funerals he was skillful, always having something to say that would console the afflicted without tiring the audience. His own heart was close to that of nature and he was always happy in the springtime when he might be working among his flowers. He was exceedingly kind and gentle, courteous to all and always ready with a word of sympathy for any who might need it. He has in passing left behind him an influence for good that cannot be measured until time shall have finished its course and the final records are written.

The funeral will occur tomorrow at three o’clock in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church under the charge of the Masonic order, of which deceased was member. Rev. Dr. T. F. Brown, pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Des Moines, will be present to assist in the services.