James Ryan 1829-1905

RYAN, REDDIN, MOORE, MAHONY, CONNELL, HILL

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 7/13/2017 at 23:12:22

Cascade Pioneer, May 18, 1905, page 5, column 1

Death Claims Two Citizens

James Ryan, Prominent Citizen of Jackson Count, Dies Suddenly in Cascade
…
James Ryan, a former prominent and respected citizen of Jackson county, died suddenly last Friday forenoon at the home of his brother-and-sister-in-law, Miss Lizzie and William Reddin in West Cascade. About six weeks ago he was brought to Cascade, being in feeble health owing to his advanced years. Although Mr. Ryan was blind, and a cripple, due to a fall, he had in Dubuque three years ago, his death was not anticipated and the summons, which were sudden surprised and shocked the members of the family. His sister-in-law, Miss Lizzie Reddin, had attended him and had left his room, but returning a few moments later found him in a dying condition, and before medical attendance could be secured the breath of life had fled.

Mr. Ryan was born in the parish of Palace Green, county Limerick, Ireland, December 25, 1828. At the age of 12 years he emigrated to this country with his parents and settled in Albany, N.Y., where the family resided for some years, and where Mr. Ryan learned the trade of blacksmith. He removed to Paducah, Kentucky, and worked his trade. This was the time of the prevalence of Knownothingism, and being a man of firm religious views and conscious of his right and convictions in civil as well as spiritual affairs, he left that community in which the noxious spirit of prejudice prevailed and came to Iowa, settling in Dubuque, where he worked at his trade and about 1854 removed to Ozark, Jackson county, which place he made his home, engaging in conducting a blacksmith shop and also in farming. In 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Reddin, sister of the well-known Reddin brothers of Garryowen, who died Jan. 11, 1904.

Mr. Ryan was highly educated, a great lover of books, a logical thinker, and an entertaining man to meet. He possessed one of the best general libraries of his day, but a fire about fifteen years ago swept way his home, consumed that splendid accumulation of literature. He held many positions of local trust, and one time was fairly and honestly elected to represent Jackson county in the state legislature, but it was a time when the affairs of the county were in an unsettled condition, in the hands of unscrupulous political brigands, and the ballot box was stolen, rifled, and the will of the citizens perverted.

Some years ago, Mr. Ryan was stricken blind, an affliction sad, pitiable, and unfortunate to whom it befalls, but doubly so to one possessed of the refined brain and abilities of the deceased.

The deceased is survived by the following children: John Ryan, Park City, Utah; Mrs. Agnes Moore, of Winthrop; Desk Sergeant James Ryan, Dubuque; M. Ryan, Boise City, Idaho; Mrs. Lizzie Mahony, Dubuque; Mrs. Nellie Connell, Temple Hill; William and Maurice Ryan, Garryowen.

The funeral was held Sunday morning at St. Martin’s church and the remains were taken to Garryowen for burial.

Compliments of Joseph Cahill