click to enlarge
How is the John B, Ben and Joe Ryan clan related to us?
We really don't know. Mary Rita always said that "the other Ryans" were not relatives, but was generally referring to Ben Ryan, himself. Based on what we know, Ben is related to John B. Ryan, and normally we would conclude that John B. is unrelated. However, it leaves a question "why is his family buried in the family area?" We have learned from our research, that families clustered around each other in cemeteries. This was certainly true for the Smiths and Greenans, and it looks like the Ryans did the same thing. So we may be related in several ways - is it through his father (John Ryan), step-father (Wm Ryan), Elizabeth Heatley (2nd wife), or Johanna Grace (his first wife)...its still a mystery.
Tim has an interesting hypothesis about this relationship. He believes that they may be close cousins to either the Hill or McDonnell side of the family rather than our Ryan side. Johnstown was a few miles from where Margaret McDonnell was born, so this link to our family is quite plausible. When you look at the Diegnan family from County Roscommon, they are surrounded by many McDonnells. So this seems to make sense. And all other links are with Kilkenny.
We have several items of interest regarding all three of these gentlemen, but a story around Ben "was the most odd." He sold his house to Frank and Adelaide Ryan, our grandparents, with the stipulation "that he continue living with them in the house." See Story. Other things of interest are found in Echoes of the Past about these families. There is a photo that Ben took of Batt and Liza - at the time, I thought he lived with them. Photo is interesting.
Obituary of Emily Ryan, 1919. Emily was the grand daughter of John B. Ryan. Click to Enlarge.
BEN RYAN - Relative of John B. Ryan. Also lived with Frank & Adelaide in Kimball, SD.
JOE RYAN - News articles indicate that he was a relative of John B. Ryans, who became a prominent politician in South Dakota. Click to learn more
As Elizabeth and I walked through the Kimball cemetery, we noticed that the Ryan plots were, for the most part, in a single row. Between the Batt Ryans and John Boneys was the John B. Ryan family. This family was unknown to us, therefore since July, Tim and I have done a bit of research on this family. Here is what we know:
- John B. Ryan's parents were Mary Dignan from County Roscommon in Ireland and John Ryan, origin unknown.
- They were married circa 1824 and in that year made their way to New York. and in a short while, left for Lewiston, Pennsylvania.
- John B. Ryan was one of two born of this union, and sometime before 1829, his father had died.
- In 1829, his mother remarried. Her new husband was William Ryan, who was born in Johnstown, County Kilkenny, Ireland.
- William Ryan worked for the Cheseapeake and Ohio Canal company until its demise in 1845. At that time, he moved his family to Dubuque.
- In 1850 a Catholic community was being built in Wexford township near Waukon, Iowa, so the family made their way to Allamakee County.
- John married Johanna Grace, a native of Kilkenny, in Wexford prior to 1860.
- In 1860, Johanna died
- Married Elizabeth Heatley in Wexford, Iowa in 1862.
- Between 1860 and 1880, John B. Ryan was active in area politics - county surveyor and county treasurer. Treasurer 14 years.
- In 1882, John B. Ryan homesteaded near Kimball, and was was one of Kimball's first marshals (sheriff).
- Sometime in 1884 his family joined him in Dakota territory
- Mr. Ryan died in 1902.
(Above). This John B. Ryan is actually one of Batt and Liza's sons. The "older" John B. Ryan had been deceased for over 15 years. See the "other John B. Ryan."
John B. Ryan - Check out the news articles of J.B.RYAN. Most articles are "quick reads", and gives you a picture of who John B. Ryan was. The more interesting ones are associated with "the Murder in Brule County". Its interesting how they handled murderers in those days...and how they exited them from the county. The other article that you may want to enlarge and spend a little time to read is "John Ryan's Obituary".
See J. B. RYAN for references of his political career in both Allamakee and Brule Counties.