Bio of RYAN, Dennis Edward (b.1862 d.1920), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 801-802
DENNIS EDWARD RYAN
By precept, motto and proverb we have been assured again and again that
suffi­cient and satisfying returns await those who strive. Looking about us, we
see the fulfilment of the promise in the careers of the leaders in the
commercial and industrial world who have risen high above the rank and file.
Efficiency and skill, the products only of application and a determination to
master every important detail of a business or industry, come to those who tread
conscientiously the toilsome path of apprentice­ship. The late Dennis Edward
Ryan, a leading merchant of Minneapolis, engaged in the jobbing and commission
business, is one of the men who have proved by long and active years of devotion
the value of the training they received at the bottom of the ladder.
He was born in Philadelphia, on the 28th of March, 1862, son of Thomas and
Catharine (Thimlim) Ryan. When he was a child of eight his parents moved out
west, first to Dubuque and later to Independence, Iowa. His boyhood, and
consequently his education, was cut short by the death of his father and when he
was only fifteen years old he had to assume the man's burden of supporting his
mother and the younger children of the family. Immediately leaving school, he
set about finding some work and entered the employ of M. M. Walker & Company, a
wholesale fruit concern of Dubuque, as a salesman. When he did so he settled,
although unwittingly enough, the question of his life work, for he was ever
afterward identified with the fruit and produce trade. He remained with this
company until 1884, when he came to Minneap­olis. After working for Miller &
Miller in the capacity of salesman for about a year he joined the sales force of
J. C. Walters, subsequently known as Walters & Wagner, as a traveling salesman.
In 1891 he severed this connection to engage in the fruit and produce business
for himself.
This was an audacious venture, for in spite of his years of hard work the young
salesman had been able to accumulate less than two hundred dollars of capital
after paying his own living expenses and contributing to the support of his
family. What he lacked in dollars and cents he amply supplied with energy and a
thorough knowl­edge of the business in which he was starting out. His trade grew
from the very start and in two years' time he had to move his business from the
original location at No. 106 First avenue North, to larger quarters at No. 129
on the same street. Subse­quently the location was changed to the corner of
Second avenue and Sixth street. Since 1892 the business has been conducted under
the name of D. E. Ryan & Company and has long been regarded as one of the
largest jobbing and commission houses in this city. Mr. Ryan continued in active
charge of its affairs until his death on the 30th of December, 1920, when his
son succeeded him as the head of the firm.
In February, 1889, Mr. Ryan married Miss Victoria McCarroll and of the children
born to them, four grew to maturity: Vivian, who married Mr. Bullard, and who
passed away in January, 1920; Doris, who married Dr. Brown of Los Angeles,
California; Gerald C., now the president of D. E. Ryan & Company; and a younger
daughter, Elizabeth. The wife and mother of this family passed away in October,
1919.
Mr. Ryan's religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church. He belonged to
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and was long a member of the Minneapolis
Club. In addition to a strikingly handsome appearance, Mr. Ryan possessed a
strong character and forceful personality which won him the high regard of his
business associates and the respect and affection of his many personal friends.