Andrew S. Ryan
circa 1896-1973
(3rd) Most Honorable Grand Commander in Chief
Served: 1957-1973
Harhem Order No. 73 - "Sword Thrust" - Vol. 5, No. 6 - March 1957
Harhem Order is glorying in the honor of having one of its past commanders take over the top job in the Grand Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill. Brother A.S. (Andy) Ryan has assumed the station of Most Honorable Grand Commander in Chief, succeeding brother E.M. Campbell who recently succumbed to a heart attack on January 16, 1957.
Brother Andy is well qualified for the job having served for the past ten years as Deputy Commander and working hand-in-hand with Brother Campbell. Members of Harhem who were present at the January meeting when the announcement of his elevation was made used the waste basket method of getting the "where-with-where" to present him with a beautiful office desk and chair, this coming as a surprise to him.
Andrew Ryan, worked as a printer for the Globe Democrat in St. Louis, Missouri. He served the Grand Order as Most Honorable Grand Commander-in-Chief until 1973, when Charles O. Bauer, also from Harhem Order No. 73, was chosen as his successor.
Compilation of St. Louis Post - Monday, Oct. 29, 1973 and Globe Democrat - Monday, Oct 29, 1973
Funeral Services for Andrew S. Ryan, retired assistant foreman of The Globe-Democrat composing room, were held on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 1973 at 1 p.m. at the Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, Missouri to Chapel of Memories Valhalla, St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Ryan, 77, died Saturday, Oct. 27, 1973, of an apparent heart attack as he was attending a dinner at the Valley Park Methodist Church. Mr. Ryan worked for The Globe-Democrat from 1917 until his retirement in 1958. Survivors included his wife, Mrs. Georgia Shifferdecker Ryan, a sister, Mrs. Francis McVey, of St. Louis. A.S. Ryan served as Past Master - Olive Branch No. 576 A.F.&A.M., Past Patron Valley Park O.E.S., M.H.G.C.C. of Grand Order Sword of Bunker Hill, Merry Macs Square Club, Typographical Union No. 8. A Masonic Service was held on Monday, October 29, 1973 at 8:00 P.M.
Special Thanks to Barbara Campbell, daughter of Ernest M. Campbell, M.H.P.G.C.C., the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri (St. Louis) and the St. Louis Public Library.