Ryan, John F.

RYAN, OCONNELL, MURPHY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/15/2003 at 09:14:29

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JOHN F. RYAN

Classed among the leading business men of Clinton is this well-known harness manufacturer and dealer in wagons, carriages, etc., who has spent almost his entire life in this city, though his birth occurred in Chicago, Illinois, on the 8th of September, 1856. In 1860, however, his parents, James and Ellen (O’Connell) Ryan, brought their family to Clinton, where the father worked for two years for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, and then engaged in farming five miles west of the city until his death, which occurred in 1870, when he was fifty years of age. The mother died in 1900, at the age of seventy-two years. Of the seven children born to them, five are still living; namely: John F., Mary, Margaret, Nellie and Catherine.

John F. Ryan was practically reared in Clinton, and after arriving at man’s estate he entered into the boot and shoe business with M. O’Connell, but later disposed of his interest in that enterprise and embarked in the grocery business with M. J. White as a partner. Subsequently he engaged in the same business with William Devine for some years, and on selling his grocery store he was interested in the real-estate business from 1892 to 1895, during which time he built several houses. In the latter year he bought the harness business of J. H. Smith, and in 1897 added to his stock a line of carriages and wagons, making a specialty of traps and fine turnouts, of which he has the largest and best assortment in the city, besides a general line of wagons. In his business he utilizes two floors, and in the manufacture of harness employs only skilled workmen. In 1901 he open a branch store in Delmar, Iowa, where he carries farm implements, as well as harness and wagons of all grades. He is a very energetic and progressive busines (sic) man, and his success is due entirely to his own well-directed and energetic efforts.

In 1893 Mr. Ryan wedded Miss Mary, daughter of Dennis Murphy, of DeWitt, Iowa, and to them have been born two children: James A. and Margaret Ellen. Mr. Ryan purchased the old McCormick property at 338 Eighth avenue, which he has remodeled and converted into a very pleasant home. Socially he affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Brotherhood of America, the National Union and the Court of Honor.