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Frank J. Ryan
(1868 - 1949)
The New York Times (New York, New York)
FRANK RYAN, 80; DIES; STATE AIDE IN KANSAS
TOPEKA, Kan., March 12 -- Frank J. Ryan, who served twenty-two years as Kansas Secretary of State, died today of pneumonia at the age of 80. A native of Leavenworth, he served a year as City Councilman there and six years as clerk of the Leavenworth County District Court before becoming in 1906 State Railroad Commissioner, a post he held until 1913. A Republican, Mr. Ryan was defeated last fall by a Democrat, Larry Ryan. Recently Democrats sponsored a bill to pension Frank Ryan at $2,000 a month. It was introduced in the current Republican-dominated Legislature to embarrass the dominant GOP. For a brief time Mr. Ryan was a railroad telegrapher, but he devoted most of his life to successful politics. Until last fall, his only defeats came in a campaign for Governor in 1912 and in a bid for the same office in 1928. He is survived by two daughters who continue to be employed in the office he vacated in January, and a grandson. |
