Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 4.djvu/448

 .” During his long term in the public service in various responsible positions, Mr. Russell brought to the discharge of his duties rare ability, integrity and a conscientious regard for the public welfare. He has left the impress of excellent judgment on the laws and public institutions of the times in which he served as one of the most useful and influential of Iowa lawmakers. DAVID RYAN is a native of Hebron, New York, where he was born on March 15, 1840. His parents removed to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1857, and there the son received his education. In 1859 he entered Central University which he left to enlist in the Eighth Iowa Infantry. He was commissioned first lieutenant and served with his command in every engagement until 1865. His regiment participated in the desperate conflict at the “Hornet's Nest” in the Battle of Shiloh, where Lieutenant Ryan was taken prisoner. He experienced the horrors of Libby prison as well as Montgomery and Macon. After being exchanged he was promoted to captain of Company E, and participated in the siege and battles of Vicksburg. In 1864 he was appointed colonel of the Second Regiment of Enrolled Militia of Tennessee. In 1865 Colonel Ryan was elected Representative of the House of the Eleventh General Assembly. He had graduated at the Iowa Law School after leaving the army, and entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1886 he was elected judge of the Sixth Judicial District, serving in that position for three terms. HENRY SABIN, educator, was born at Pomfret, Connecticut, on the 23d of October, 1829. He entered Amherst College, graduating in 1852. Coming to Iowa in 1871 Mr. Sabin located at Clinton and has been engaged in educational work nearly all of his mature life. He was for a long time superintendent of public schools and an active and influential member of the State Teachers' Association. In 1887 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and elected, serving until 1892. In 1893 he was again elected to the same position and reëlected at the end of the term for another period of two years, retiring in 1898. He has been a frequent contributor to educational publications, is a member of the National Educational Association, was president of the Department of Superintendence in 1895 and chairman of the committee of twelve on rural schools from 1895 to 1897. Mr. Sabin has long been one of the most influential workers for the advancement of education through the public school system, in the State. In 1900 he published a book of two hundred eighty-two pages on “The Making of Iowa,” for use in the public schools. MARY AUGUSTA SAFFORD was born at Quincy, Illinois, December 23, 1851. At the age of eighteen she entered the State University at