Ryan, Robert Michael. b.1862: Bio, Pitkin County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/pitkin/bios/ryan.txt --------------------------------------- Donated August 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Robert Michael Ryan Robert M. Ryan, of Aspen, clerk and recorder of Pitkin county, has during almost the whole of his life in the county been prominent and influential in its politics and public affairs, and is esteemed one of its best and most representative citizens. He was born on March 9, 1862, at St. John's, Clinton county, Michigan, and is the son of William and Catherine (O'Connor) Ryan, natives of Ireland who emigrated to this country and settled at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1850. The father has been an ardent Democrat during all of his residence in the United States, and is an industrious and well-to-do shoemaker. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. They now reside at St. John's, Michigan. Nine children were born in the family, of whom seven are living, Moria, Honora, Anna, Robert M., Ellen, Kate and Sarah. The only living son, Robert M., was educated in the public schools of his native town, finishing his course at the high school there. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school, which he continued for a number of years. In 1882 he came to Colorado and located at Durango where he devoted his time to prospecting and mining for three years with varying success. In the fall of 1885 he moved to Aspen and was here engaged in mining until 1901, when he was elected clerk and recorder of Pitkin county, and in fall of 1904 was re-elected to that office on the Independent ticket. He is an active Democrat in political faith and in fraternal circles belongs to the Elks, the Odd Fellows, the United Workmen and the Eagles. On November 10, 1889, he was married to Miss Lida W. Young, a native of Missouri and daughter of James and Harriett (Coryell) Young, the former born in Scotland and the latter in Iowa. The father is a blacksmith, successful and prosperous in his business, and a firm and loyal Democrat in politics. They are the parents of eight children and now live at Memphis, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have seven children, Bertha M., Frances E., Anna L., Robert T., James W., Estella I. and an infant son. In the performance of his official duties Mr. Ryan is eminently careful and attentive, and is winning golden opinions of commendation from all classes of citizens who are interested in the welfare of the county. In social life he stands high and in all the elements of good citizenship his example is an incitement and a stimulus. No citizen of the county is held in higher regard, and none deserves the confidence and good will of his fellow men in larger measure. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.