Francis William Ryan Biography


	This biography appears on page 1797 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	FRANCIS WILLIAM RYAN, of Jefferson township, Union county, was 
born on his present farm, on the 9th of March, 1862, and his boyhood 
days were passed amid the scenes and conditions incidental to life on 
the frontier, while he has reason to recall the privations endured and 
the obstacles surmounted in the early days, including the scourge of 
grasshoppers and the havoc wrought by the overflowing of the Missouri 
river. He is now the owner of the old home farm, which is well improved 
and under a high state of cultivation, his entire landed estate 
comprising one hundred and sixty acres. His educational privileges were 
such as were afforded in the public schools, while he has effectually 
rounded out his training under the instrt1ction of the wisest of 
headmasters, experience.

	The subject is a son of Michael and Mary (Edwards) Ryan, both of 
whom were born in the Emerald Isle, the former being a native of Queens 
county, where he was born in 1827, while the latter was born in Kilkenny 
county, their marriage having been solemnized in 1851. The devoted wife 
and mother died in 1896, and is survived by her husband and four 
children. In 1860 Michael Ryan emigrated to America and came to the 
territory of Dakota, settling on the farm now owned by his son, subject 
of this review, the same being the northwest quarter of section 29, 
Jeffers township. The land was at the time in its wild state, and there 
were but few settlers in the county. After completing his primitive log 
house he instituted the work of reclaiming his land to cultivation, and 
in due course of time success attended his earnest efforts. He resided 
on the homestead until 1873, when he removed to the village of 
Jefferson, this county, where he erected one of the first stores in the 
town, and there established himself in the general merchandise business, 
simultaneously acting as station and express agent and postmaster, and 
also buying and shipping grain. He continued to be actively engaged in 
business until about 1886, when he retired and has since been enjoying 
the rewards of his former toil and endeavor, being still a resident of 
Jefferson and one of its most honored pioneers.

	Hon. Francis W. Ryan whose name initiates this sketch, has ably 
upheld the prestige of the name which he bears and is one of the 
representative men of his native county. He was a member of the school 
board of his district from 1899 until 1902, and was honored with 
election to the legislature of the state in 1899, serving with ability 
through the general assembly of 1900 and that of 1902, and in the autumn 
of the latter year received further evidence of the popular appreciation 
of his efforts in his reelection to the same office, and he has rendered 
valuable service during the session of 1903. In politics he gives an 
unqualified support to the Republican party and its principles and has 
been one of its leaders in the county for a number of years past. His 
religious faith is that of the Catholic church, in which he was reared, 
and fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 2758, Modern Woodmen of 
America, at Jefferson.

	On the 10th of February, 1886, Mr. Ryan was united in marriage to 
Miss Hattie Brow, who was likewise born in Union county, being a 
daughter of Joseph Brow, and of this union have been born five children.