John Daniel Sharp Ryburn Obituary
Contributed by Roger Ryburn, a grandson
Transcribed from an undated and unnamed Tennessee newspaper
“J.D.S. RYBURN, RETIRED ERWIN MERCHANT DIED MONDAY FOLLOWING MONTH’S ILLNESS
John D.S. Ryburn, 75, a pioneer merchant of Erwin, passed away at noon Monday at Erwin Community Hospital, following weeks of critical illness, climaxing several years of ill health. Mr. Ryburn, who retired several years ago, began his merchandising careers in his teens, and owned and operated his own store before he was 20 years old. The son of Dr. and Mrs. Sharpe Ryburn, he was born in Johnson City, but the family moved to Erwin in 1895. Mr. Ryburn owned and operated the first drug store in Erwin, located where Coley’s Pharmacy now stands. He also was co-owner of the first newspaper published at Marshall, N.C. and in the then sparsely populated area, with no roads, they had to carry their printing equipment over the mountains on their backs, making the trips on foot.
His last business venture as a merchant was in partnership with his brother, the late W.W. Ryburn, when they built a building on Union St. about 25 years ago, and operated ready-to-wear and dry good store for several years. He dealt extensively in real estate also. He was married in 1901 to Miss Cora Lee Ray, who survives him. Survivors also are: five sons, Lynn, Ray and Jack, or Erwin, Charles of Kingsport, and William of Cullowhee, N.C.; two daughters, Mrs. J.F. Neely, Huntsville, Ala., and Mrs. Leo Brookshire, Erwin; three sisters, Mrs. John W. Price, Mrs. W.M. Erwin and Mrs. Rowena Lindsley, all of Erwin; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 2 pm Wednesday from the Presbyterian Church in Erwin, of which he was a member, with the Rev. E.D. Visor officiating. Burial was made in Evergreen Cemetery”