The old man who died Monday near the Santa Fe depot and was buried by the city Tuesday, was J. F. Ryan. He was about 74 years of age and death was due to cancer of the stomach and bowels. He came here about five weeks ago from Coffeyville. He came to Coffeyville from Missouri and not, readily finding a house to live in, was kindly advised to come to Independence, the Coffeyville people assuring him that, vacant houses were plenty and rent cheap here. He had an aged wife and two grandsons, one 19 years of age, who seems to be a worthless tramp, and the other a boy of 12. Finding no house the old man bought a tent, for $5.00 paying half the price and owing the balance. He was not able to do anything and for a month past the city has been furnishing the family with food. It is said that he was once in
good circumstances and at one time probate judge of a Missouri county. This old couple’s story of poverty and misfortune is a sad one. They had been married 49 years yesterday.

Independence, Kansas 14 Nov 1902.

On Ancestry from Tina DeLauri.

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1850 Census213

birthdate also listed as 1826104