Timothy J. Ryan, 1849-1917

RYAN, OBRIEN, MCGUIRE

Posted By: Sharon Maguire Callinan (email)
Date: 1/29/2009 at 05:35:26

OBITUARY OF TIMOTHY J. RYAN 1849-1917

Timothy J. Ryan, publisher of the Democrat and postmaster of this city, died at the family home in Bridgewater at 6:30 o’clock p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 1917, surrounded by those near and dear to him.

Deceased was born in Boston, Massachusetts, November 1, 1848, a son of Michael W. and Catherine Ryan. The father was a farmer by occupation and in the year of 1854 left New England for the west, making his way to Iowa and settling in Allamakee county, Iowa.

Deceased was educated in the public schools of Iowa and in St. John’s College at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. For eight terms he engaged in teaching school at Harper’s Ferry and other places in Iowa and afterward for some years was actively identified with politics in that state. In 1879 he came to Dakota Territory, homesteading in this county, and after proving up his land he engaged in the implement business in Bridgewater, which town was then but a burg. After a short connection with commercial interests he turned his attention to newspaper work in 1884, he, in company with John W. Hinchon (now of the Algons, Ia., Courier) establishing the McCook County Democrat. Mr. Hinchon retiring shortly afterward, deceased continued to publish it to the present. He was appointed to the position of postmaster in this city on the 1st of June, 1914.

Since coming to South Dakota Mr. Ryan was very active in politics and served as state committeeman from this county for ten years and was county chairman for several years. He has frequently been called to office by his fellow townsmen. He served for one term of postmaster under President Cleveland, having been appointed in 1896. He was county justice for twelve years, was city justice for eight years and city auditor for six years. His record in office is a most creditable one, for he was ever true and loyal to the trust reposed to him.

On February 2, 1896, h was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary O’Brien, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Owen O’Brien, of this county. The children born to this wedlock are as follows: William J. manager of this paper: Florence M., Bernice, Teresa, Marvin, Lucille and Mary.

The religious faith of the deceased was that of the Catholic Church. He held membership with the Knights of Columbus, being connected with the Sioux Falls Chapter. He was also a member of the America Fraternity of Denver, Colorado.

For some time past his health had been gradually failing, and a few short weeks ago he consulted with the celebrated Mayo clinic at Rochester. On his return home there was improvement for a time, but the grim reaper seemed to have marked him for his own, he again began to fail, and though every kind ministration was his he slowly sank into that dreamless sleep that knows no waking sphere. The immediate cause was valvular disease of the heart.

In his immediate family he is survived by two brothers and a sister—
Wm. F.; of Harpers Ferry, Iowa; Philip A., of Wellsville, Kansas, and Mrs. Mary McGuire, of Spokane. On account of the uncertainties of railroad travel neither were here to attend the obsequies of their brother, but Wm. F. is expected.

The writer hereof has had a long and intimate acquaintance with the subject of this sketch. He was a kind and generous husband and father; broad in his sympathies, he accorded the same respect to the opinions of others as he wished for his own; we believe that never by act or word did he ever intentionally wrong any man; considerate in forming friendships, yet a friendship once formed was to him a cherished asset; in politics he played the game square—could give aud (and) then take without a whimper; and more to the point, he was strong it (in) his convictions of right and wrong.

Such was “Tim” J. Ryan,

The funeral was held yesterday morning at 10 o’clock from St. Stephen’s Catholic church, Rev. M.J. Lennon officiating. The remains were followed to the cemetery by a large number of friends.

May he rest in peace.

~newspaper clipping

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