John J. Ryan Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 450-451

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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JOHN J. RYAN, who has filled two of the highest public offices of 
Aurora county, South Dakota, and is a general favorite of all in his 
county regardless of party affiliations, Is a native of Dubuque county, 
Iowa. The date of his birth is October 24, 1856. He is of Irish descent 
and the eldest son of Daniel and Mary (Kane) Ryan, who were the parents 
of seven children. His father was born in county Cork, Ireland, and his 
mother was born in Pennsylvania, but was of Irish descent. His mother 
died in 1888, at the age of fifty-nine years, and his father died in 
1895, aged sixty-seven years. 

Our subject was given excellent educational advantages and after 
completing a high school course, further equipped himself for a 
practical business life by completing a commercial course in Bailey's 
College. He moved to Dakota and located on a homestead claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres in Crystal Lake township, Aurora county. Here 
he established a home for himself and for three years was his own 
house-keeper, and he now relates that his diet consisted chiefly of 
flap-jacks, bacon and biscuit. He soon became popular with other 
pioneer settlers and his home was the scene of many jolly gatherings of 
his bachelor friends, Mr. Ryan always proving himself a royal host. In 
1890 Mr. Ryan was elected auditor of Aurora county on the Democratic 
ticket. During 1893 and 1894 he was receiver for the Farmers' Mutual 
Insurance Company. In 1894 he was called upon to serve as treasurer of 
Aurora county. His popularity and the creditable manner in which he has 
conducted the county matters entrusted to him are best evidenced by the 
fact that he is at present serving his second term as treasurer. 

Mr. Ryan was married in 1887 to Miss Mary Ryan, a native of Iowa. Four 
children have blessed their home; Daniel B., Mercedes, Veronica and 
Martha. 

Mr. Ryan is an anti-suffragist and favors high license. He is a member 
of the Catholic church. He is well known in secret society circles and 
belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen 
of America.