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Joseph H. Ryan, who has made his home in California since 1905, died last evening at the family residence at 62 National Street.

Mr. Ryan was born in Illinois 81 years ago and before coming west as in the tea and coffee business at Lincoln Ill., where he was among the first citizens.

Mr. Ryan was married in Illinois over 50 years ago to Elvira Hanger and several years ago they celebrated their golden wedding at the family home, when there was a reunion and to him and his devoted life's companion and children it was an happy occasion, as there were few lives as interlinked and interwoven as this couple. His happiest moments were when surrounded by his own people.

Mr. Ryan from a child has been a member of the Christian church and he had heard and knew some of the great preachers who founded this movement. He was firm in his convictions and belief and has held all the principal official positions in his church and was a deep Bible student and always interested in the Bible school. His membership was with the First church.

He was a strong temperance advocate and was so firm that he always voted the prohibition ticket.

Mr. Ryan has been ill for several years and was taken to his bed about a week ago.

He was a veteran of the Civil war, and had served with the 196th Illinois and was a member of Wallace Reynolds post and always enjoyed meeting with his old comrades.

He was of a happy, jovial nature, had a keen sense of humor and radiated sunshine.

Besides his wife he leaves children as follows: Mrs. W.J. Bowen of San Diego, Arthur F. of San Jose, Joseph of Santa Cruz, Mrs. Leila Corsen of Santa Cruz and two grandchildren, Viola Ryan of San Jose and Lois Corsen of Santa Cruz.

The funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon from Chase's undertaking parlors.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (May 6, 1923)

Funeral of Joseph Ryan

Many friends of the late Joseph Ryan gathered yesterday afternoon at Chase's undertaking parlors to pay their last respects to this honored citizen.

The members of Wallace Reynolds Post G.A.R., attended in a body, and they conducted their ritual. The church service was by an old time friend and neighbor, Rev. J.A. Brown, pastor of the Christian church at Corralitos.

Singers from the First Christian Church, of which the deceased was a member, sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "Asleep in Jesus."

The flag and flower covered casket was carried by members of the G.A.R. and American Legion.

Date of Birth: 1841-11-02

Date of Death: 1923-03-05

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Oakwood Memorial Park

Plot: O7/13

Mortuary: CCC

Cause of Death: Strk/Related

Spouse: Hanger_ Elvira (Eunice)

Occupation: Bus/TeaCoffee

Religion: Ch

Height: 5'5

Local Address: National St 62

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: IL

Father Native of: William B (VA)

Mother Native of: Edgar_ Francis

Enlisted: 1862/08/09

Discharged: 1865/07/12

Military Unit: IL_ 106 Inf_ Co F

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: R-Lgn Co_ M/O-PneBlff AR

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1923/05/05