Born: Virginia, 1800.Died: Missouri, 1877.
Born: Virginia, 1800.
Died: Missouri, 1877.
Mr. Ryan's family moved to Logan County, Kentucky, in 1818, and from there to Logan County, Illinois, in 1830. The latter trip was made in an ox-cart and required three weeks' time. The settlement was in Eminence Township. His first home there was a log cabin, in which the family passed the winter of "the deep snow."
In 1839 he and his wife were baptized by Walter P Bowles. He at once began to preach. He was affectionately called by most people "Uncle Billy." As a pioneer preacher, he was a favorite with the early settlers in Logan, Tazewell and DeWitt Counties. His meetings were held in dwellings, schoolhouses, mills, or anywhere he could assemble an audience. One of his favorite expressions was, "Remember the warning of Mt. Sinai."
He was a great admirer of Alexander Campbell, who was once his guest. When traveling north from Springfield in 1853, Mr. Campbell was accompanied by G. W. Minier and others. They stopped at the home of Mr. Ryan for dinner. They found Mr. Ryan busy making ax-handles. These Mr. Campbell examined, making suggestions as to their weight, size, shape, etc. The two hours, visit was much enjoyed by all. As they left, Mr. Campbell expressed himself as being much pleased with Mr. Ryan.
His home on the border of the "Big Prairie" was the stopping-place for most travelers passing through that region. His hospitality knew no bounds. His latch-string was always out. Abraham Lincoln was often his guest. A business letter from Mr. Lincoln to him is a much-prized keepsake of his grandsons. He, with eighteen others, organized the Bethel Church in the northern part of Logan County. He was its first pastor, and there he passed many pleasant and profitable years. His was a busy life. He worked on his farm to support his family, served four years as associate judge in his county, and was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. He was twice married. Few men can show more clean pages in the "Book of Life."