James Ahearn time card, 1917
Courtesy of Scott van LaerBorn: 1876
Died: April/May 1917
Married: Elizabeth Ryan
Children: James Floyd, Doris Elizabeth
James Ahearn was a Forest Ranger. He may have been the first New York State Forest Ranger killed in the line of duty. He was a son of Martin and Johanna Corbett Ahearn.
He is buried in Pine Ridge Cemetery.
James Ahern was honored in a ceremony at his grave on the 100th anniversary of his death, the first recorded death of a forest ranger in the line of duty. An article on the ceremony, and more on the history of the forest rangers, appeared in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise on May 1, 2017.
Lake Placid News, May 4, 1917
JAMES ANDREW AHEARN
James Andrew Ahearn, forest ranger, died Sunday night at his home in Saranac Lake. Death was due to rupture of the intestines, sustained from a fall in the woods on Thursday. Mr. Ahearn was locating lines on a State lot with George Collins about five miles from Ray Brook when the accident occurred. Mr. Collins assisted his injured companion as best he could to Ray Brook hospital from whence he was later removed to his home.
Mr. Ahearn was born in Redford, N. Y., 42 years ago. He conducted a livery business in Lake Placid about seventeen years ago. He spent five years in Tupper Lake, where he operated a drug store, four years in the confectionary business in Carthage, and proprietor of Bijou theatre, Saranac Lake, prior to his appointment as forest ranger for the State Conservation Commission.
Fifteen years ago Mr. Ahearn was married to Miss Elizabeth Ryan of Clayburgh, who survives him with two children, James Floyd, 11 years old, Doris Elizabeth, 9 years old.
The deceased was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He had a large circle of friends throughout Northern New York, who held him in highest esteem.
Plattsburgh Sentinel, May 8, 1917
CLAYBURG
...We were sorry to hear of the death of James Ahern of Saranac Lake. Quite a number from here attended his funeral Wednesday...
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