OBIT: W. Harry RYLAND, Dr., 1946, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
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W. HARRY RYLAND

Dr. W. H. Ryland Shining Mark for Dart of Death

  The old saying that "Death loves a shining mark" was exemplified in the 
passing of Dr. W. Harry Ryland, dean of the dental profession in Somerset 
County.  Few old residents of Meyersdale have lived as exemplary lives or been 
held in as high esteem and affectionate regard as Dr. Ryland.  
  Most of Dr. Ryland's friends were aware that his health had been failing for 
some time.  He had several heart attacks recently, but news of his death came as 
a shock to many, for almost up to the last he went about his business and to his 
accustomed meeting places.  He passed away at 6:30 o'clock last Saturday evening 
in the Hazel McGilvery Hospital to which he was admitted last Friday.
  Funeral services were conducted at his home on Meyers Avenue at 2:30 p.m., 
Tuesday, by his pastor, Rev. Sherwood Keiser, pastor of the local Methodist 
Church of which Dr. Ryland was a faithful member for many years.  Interment was 
made in Union Cemetery under direction of W.C. Price & Son.  The obsequies were 
largely attended by friends from far and near and there was a profusion of 
floral tributes.
  Pallbearers were members of the Masonic order, S. Frank Miller, George R. 
Paxton, John Blocher, William H. Bowman, Dr. F. A. Edmunds and Frank B. Thomas.
  W. Harry Ryland was born and reared on a farm in Garrett County, Md., along 
the National Pike, a short distance west of Keyer's Ridge, on December 26, 1869, 
and was aged 76 years, 6 months and 24 days at his death.  He was a son of 
Sylvester and Ellen (Slicer) Ryland.  The three well known Slicer brothers, 
William, John and Nathaniel, former hotelkeepers of Meyersdale, were his uncles.
  His education began in the country schoolhouse near his parental home.  Later 
he attended school in Grantsville and Cumberland until he was able to secure a 
teacher's certificate.  He taught school at Deer Park, Hancock, Midland, Mt. 
Savage and Lonaconing.  At Midland he was principal and at Lonaconing vice 
principal.
  With the money he earned at teaching, he decided to educate himself to enter 
the dental profession.  To that end he attended the Holbrooke Prep School at 
Lebanon, O., and the University of Pittsburgh Dental School, where he received 
the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, in 1900.
  He spent four years in the practice of dentistry in Lonaconing, where he met 
and married Miss Mary Schuyler, a union that proved very happy.  In 1904 Dr. 
Ryland and wife moved to Meyersdale where they established their permanent home 
and he practiced his profession until his fatal illness.
  During the 42 years that Dr. Ryland lived in Meyersdale, he took an active 
part in local civic, religious, educational, social and business affairs.  Every 
good cause had his support.
  For many years he was the secretary of both the Meyersdale blue lodge of 
Masons and of Hebron Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and filled practically all the 
chairs in those orders.  He was also a charter member of the Meyersdale Rotary 
Club and was very regular in attendance and served one term as president.
  Surviving this good man and mourning the loss of a devoted husband and father 
are Mrs. Ryland and two fine sons and two lovely daughters: Harry H. Ryland, of 
Los Angeles, Cal.; Paul R. Ryland of the Army Air Corps, at present finishing 
his training as a pilot at Tokyo, Japan; Miss Mary Ryland, Meyersdale High 
School teacher, and Mrs. William P. Claar, Cumberland, Md.
  Neither of the sons was able to attend their father's funeral.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Harry Ryland of Los Angeles were enroute by automobile when Father Ryland passed 
away, and could not be notified of his death until Harry called by phone upon 
his arrival in Chicago.  The sad news was imparted to him by phone there, but 
too late for his arrival here before the funeral.  The son and wife arrived at 
the Ryland home this (Thursday) morning.
  The news of his father's death was cabled to the other son, Paul R. Ryland, at 
Tokyo.

Meyersdale Republican, July 25, 1946