Dr. Isaac Armstrong Ryan
1861-1931

Dr. Isaac A. Ryan, engaged in the medical and surgical practice at Fort Smith, with office at 917 1/2 Garrison avenue, was born in Dardanelle, Arkansas, in 1861, his parents being Samuel and Mary (McCann) Ryan. The father was a native of Georgia and belonged to one of the old southern families, being a son of Aaron Ryan, who was a native of Ireland, but in early life crossed the Atlantic to the new world and took up his abode in Georgia. Samuel Ryan was reared to manhood in his native state and became an extensive and successful live stock dealer of Walker county, Georgia. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of his loved southland, joining the Confederate army, was captured, and died in a Federal prison. To him and his wife were born five children, Isaac A. being the only son, while four sisters completed the family. Dr. Ryan was educated in the common schools until he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught, after which he became a medical student in the State University and eventually won his professional degree. He came to Fort Smith in 1903 and through the intervening period of eighteen years has been a successful medical practitioner of this city. He never lightly regards the duties that devolve upon him in this connection. He is most careful in the diagnosis of his cases and is seldom, if ever, at fault in foretelling the outcome 'of disease. His professional interests are always first with him and his course is most ethical at all times. Dr. Ryan was united in marriage to Miss Ova Hopkins and they have become the parents of three sons and two daughters: Porter, a civil engineer, who served as a naval aviator during the World war; Edward, who is employed on the railroad government survey, also a civil engineer; Rose, who was formerly a teacher in Oklahoma and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas; Marshall, a student in the University of Arkansas, who served in the World war, being stationed at Camp Pike; and Ruth, who is a high school pupil. In his political views Dr. Ryan has always been a stalwart democrat and while never an office seeker in the usually accepted sense of the term he served as coroner of Sebastian county several years ago. He is always loyal to those interests which feature in good government and public progress and those who know him attest the sterling worth of his character in every relation of life. Jan 3, 1912 Southwest American Oct 23, 1920 - Southwest American Jan 30, 1913 - Southwest American April 1, 1931, Southwest American