Timothy J. Ryan Biography


	This biography appears on pages 397-398 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				TIMOTHY J. RYAN.  

	With public interests in McCook county Timothy J. Ryan is closely 
connected and is recognized as a man of influence and one who has done 
much to mold public thought and action in his district. He is now 
postmaster of Bridgewater and is also well known in newspaper circles 
as the proprietor of the McCook County Democrat. He was born in Boston, 
Massachusetts, November 1, 1849, a son of Michael W. and Catherine 
(Ryan) Ryan. The father was a farmer by occupation and in the year 1854 
left New England for the west, making his way to Iowa, and settling in 
Allamakee county. Both he and his wife have passed away.  

	Timothy J. Ryan was educated in the public schools of Iowa and in 
St. John's College at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. For eight terms he 
engaged in teaching school at Harpers Ferry and other places in Iowa 
and afterward for some years was actively identified with politics in 
that state, having been nominated twice for register of deeds on the 
democratic ticket in Allamakee county. In ]879 he came to Dakota 
territory, homesteading in McCook county, and after proving up his land 
he engaged in the implement business in Bridgewater. After a short 
connection with commercial interests he turned his attention to 
newspaper publication in 1884, establishing the McCook County Democrat, 
which he has continued to edit and publish to the present time. Since 
his appointment to the position of postmaster by President Wilson on 
the 1st of June, 1914, his son, William J. Ryan, has managed the paper.  

	Since coming to South Dakota, Mr. Ryan has been very active in 
politics and served as state committeeman from this county for ten 
years and was county chairman for several years. He has frequently been 
called to public office by his fellow townsmen, who have recognized his 
worth and ability and his fitness for positions of trust. He served for 
one term as postmaster under President Cleveland, having been appointed 
in 1896. He has been county justice for twelve years, has been city 
justice for eight years and city auditor for six years. His record in 
office is a most creditable one, for he has ever been true and loyal to 
the trust reposed in him.  

	In 1898 Mr. Ryan was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary O'Brien, a 
daughter of Owen O'Brien. Their children are as follows: William 
Joseph, manager of the McCook County Democrat; Florence M.; Bernice; 
Teresa; Marvin; Lucille; and Mary. The religious faith of the family is 
that of the Catholic church and Mr. Ryan holds membership with the 
Knights of Columbus, being connected with Sioux Falls Chapter. He is 
also a member of the America Fraternity of Denver Colorado. He is much 
interested in South Dakota and her development and he has shown his 
faith in the future of his county by investing in city property. In 
addition to his newspaper and official interests he is engaged in the 
real estate and insurance business and adds not a little in that way to 
his income. He is public spirited and cooperates in many well defined 
plans for the benefit and upbuilding of the state. He is numbered among 
its pioneers, having for about thirty-six years resided within its 
borders, during which time he has witnessed the notable changes which 
have brought his part of the state to its present condition of advanced 
civilization and prosperity.