They Earned A Home

Among those who have just been dmitted to the family annex to the oldiers' home at Grand Rapids, are Maj. Wm. Ryan and wife, of Muscegon. Major Ryan is an interestng character and a man who deserves well of his adopted country. He is a native of Ireland, but has passed most of his life in Michigan. When the war brol#e out, he was one of the first to respond to the cali for 75,000 three months' men, and he served until its close. He participated in many of the hottest conflicts of the war, and was badly wounded in the great fight at Gettysburg. When the war closed, he returned to Muskegon and was made chief of pólice which position he held for four years. He was then elected sheriff of the county and was once reelected. While sheriff he once defended, single handed,a man who had been arrested and jailed for a heinous crime. A mob under determined leadership demanded the keys, which he refused to give up, and when they began to batter down the doors, he suddenly threw them open and bravely confronted the mob with a revolver in one hand and an iron bar in the other. He declared he would kill the first man who attempted to enter. A leader stepped forward and Vas promptly knocked down, when the mob hesitated. They were told that justice should be meted out to the criminal and they dispersed. The criminal was afterwards sent to Jackson for life. On the expiration of his term as sheriff, he served as deputy under his successor for two years, and then became chief of pólice again. His last public service was as a justice of the peace for eight years. Finally, the weight of his sixty years, the wounds received in battle and chronic rheumatism compelled him to retire from further service. For the past four years he has been a cripple and he will probably never be any better. During his long public service he has shown himself to be one of the bravst of men, and his wife has always been a worthy helpmate. What a satisfaction to know that in their closing years nothing will be neglected to make them comfortable and happy. They have earned this of a grateful country which stands ready to requite them.