Margaret "Maggie" Ryan
Margaret Ryan Family
Batt Ryan’s Sister
Introduction
There are many mysteries regarding our family tree. We can see distant cousins listed on old charts, but where did they live? Did they have families? What were they like? Many times all we have are family histories, legends and lores. Many times they are true, but sometimes the truth may be embellished for the listener. Other times the listener misheard what was said and interprets the story in a new light. However, these are all clues we use when hunting distant relatives. Sometimes these clues bear fruit, and other times they lead us to a dead end.
Months ago we saw a genealogy record for Margaret Ryan and Patrick Ryan. This captured our attention only because some of the ‘hints’ provided in their family record related to what we found in our own family research. It took a long time to piece this puzzle together and discover a ‘missing’ branch to our family tree.
James Ryan Family
The following is a simplified version of our family tree. The Hill and Ryan families all emigrated from County Tipperary, and eventually made their homes in Allamakee County. Allamakee County is located in the extreme northeast corner of Iowa.
Early on we knew James and Annie Ryan had the following children: James, Dennis, Mary, Margaret, Catherine, Nancy, Bartholomew and Daniel. Tracing where this family lived has proved somewhat of a mystery but there are clues. We knew Margaret was a sister, but did not know exactly what happened to her. Finally, we found the following family history for a Margaret and Patrick Ryan family that interested us..
Margaret Ryan
This is the information given to us from Margaret Wilson. Margaret is the unofficial historian for her family. It is her husband, James Edwin Wilson, who is directly related to the Ryans. Sad to say James died about a year ago. James Wilson’s grandmother was Frances Edna Ryan, who was Margaret’s youngest daughter. Their family, like ours, is searching for answers to their past. Margaret tells us that we have more information about the Ryans then she has. She has given us all she knows about Margaret and Patrick Ryan.
Margaret was born on April 1, 1849, in County Tipperary, Ireland. After her husband died Margaret moved in with her children. In 1920 she was living with her son-in-law, Charles Toher, in Davenport, Iowa. She died on July 27, 1925, in Dubuque, Iowa due to cancer. Margaret was staying with her daughter Margaret Deming at 951 Locust Street, Davenport, when she died. She is buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Taylor County, Iowa, beside her husband, Patrick Ryan. By the way, Taylor County is located in the extreme southern part of Iowa. It is nowhere near Allamakee County where all the other Ryan family members lived. Allamakee County is indicated by the red circle in the map below.
According to her biography Margaret’s father was James Ryan. The death certificate only indicated the mother’s birth name, which was ‘Campbell’. It was thought our ancestor’s (Ann Ryan) maiden name was Ryan. After all, about 25 to 30 % of everyone living in Tipperary is named Ryan! So we requested a copy of Batt Ryan’s death certificate from the State of South Dakota. Sure enough it showed his mother’s name as ‘Ann Campbell’. So far so good, and useful for connecting the dots.
Patrick Ryan and his Parents
Who was Patrick Ryan? Patrick is not directly related to our Ryan clan. He was probably born on March 17, 1836, in Hollyford, County Tipperary, Ireland. Patrick died on September 18, 1899, in Clearfield, Taylor County, Iowa. He also is buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, which is located in Taylor County, Iowa.
Patrick and Margaret lived in Grant Township which later would be known as Platte Township. According to the cemetery records, Patrick was 62 years old when he died. Patrick’s family moved to America in 1850, probably as a result of the famine. Their descendents know that Patrick and his parents came over to America on the vessel, James Wright. This ship left Glasgow and arrived in New York on August 16, 1850. These are the Ryan names found listed on the ship’s manifest record:
Ryan Bridgt, female, 20, spinster
Ryan, Edmd., male, 13, workman
Ryan, James, male, 25, workman
Ryan, James, male, 30, mason
Ryan, James, male, 9, child
Ryan, Jas., male 40, workman
Ryan, Johannah, female, born at sea, infant
Ryan, Mary, female, 6, child
Ryan, Michl., male 22, workman
** Ryan, Patt, male, 11, workman
Ryan, Sarah, female, 7, child
Ryan, Thos., male, 2, child
Ryan, U Mrs., female, 35, workwoman
According to their family lore, Patrick and Margaret were born in Tipperary; however, they were not related to each other. Their family history says they met each other on the boat coming over from Ireland. So we looked at the ship’s manifest record in the National Archives and could not find a ‘Margaret Ryan’ listed. Above shows all the names of Ryans who traveled to the new world on the ‘James Wright’.
Perhaps, we thought, this Margaret had a different last name. These are the females who were within the same age range as Patrick who were named ‘Margaret’. We saw no other names or possible variants than what is shown below.
Patrick Ryan was the son of James Ryan and Catherine Ryan. James and Catherine had the following children:
The reason we became interested in this family is because James and Catherine lived in Allamakee County too. They farmed near our ancestors, James and Ann, in Union Prairie Township. For a long time we thought they may be directly related to our family, especially when we noticed our family members were serving as sponsors for their family’s baptisms. We determined who Patrick was early on but Margaret was still a mystery. At first we thought Margaret may have been related to another line of Ryans living in Allamakee County.
This was very confusing to us for a long, long time. At first we were sure our family line came from the Hollyford area too. There was no direct proof that any family relation existed between our family and the other James Ryan family. We were confused because there was a lot of shared activity between both families. Consequently, we did not recognize Batt’s sister, Margaret, as someone who lived so close to her folks.
What grabbed our attention was what we saw in the 1870 US Census. This section also interested Margaret Ryan’s descendants. Patrick and Margaret Ryan lived beside our ancestors. However, Margaret’s descendants could not prove a connection between both families. We also find this census funny because it shows Batt’s name as Patrick (Pat vs. Batt).
By August of 1873 Margaret and Patrick had moved to Taylor County, Iowa. They farmed land in Grant Township. Grant Township later merged with Platte Township to become Platte Township. The 1880 census showed the following people living in the same household:
|
Name |
Relation |
Marital Status |
Gender |
Race |
Age |
Birthplace |
Occupation |
Father's Birthplace |
Mother's Birthplace |
|
Self |
M |
Male |
W |
59 |
IRE |
Farmer |
IRE |
IRE |
|
|
Wife |
M |
Female |
W |
35 |
IRE |
Keeping House |
IRE |
IRE |
|
|
Son |
S |
Male |
W |
13 |
IA |
At Home |
IRE |
IRE |
|
|
Son |
S |
Male |
W |
12 |
IA |
At Home |
IRE |
IRE |
|
|
Son |
S |
Male |
W |
10 |
IA |
At Home |
IRE |
IRE |
|
|
Son |
S |
Male |
W |
8 |
IA |
At Home |
IRE |
IRE |
|
|
Dau |
S |
Female |
W |
6 |
IA |
At Home |
IRE |
IRE |
|
|
Dau |
S |
Female |
W |
4 |
IA |
|
IRE |
IRE |
|
|
Son |
S |
Male |
W |
2 |
IA |
|
IRE |
IRE |
|
|
Dau |
S |
Female |
W |
11M |
IA |
|
IRE |
IRE |
They had the following children:
Taylor County
The following is taken from the ‘History of Taylor County, Iowa: from the earliest times to 1910’ by Frank E. Crosson.
The strongest Catholic organization in the county is located at Lenox. They built their first church in 1875. The early members and organizer were Eugene Paymal, T.F. Maloney, T.F. Meagher, John Nagel, Pat. Ryan and Richard Finn. It was soon found that the first church was too small to accommodate the growing membership, so in 1881, a large and substantial building was erected. This building has been since remodeled to some extent, and the interior handsomely decorated. In 1889, a parsonage was built adjoining the church. Father Phelan was the first resident pastor and was a man of superior ability. He was a man of affairs, and the Lenox church undoubtedly owes much to him. Since his work at Lenox, Father Phelan has risen to prominence in the church and has held some very important positions. … About 60 families are included in the membership.
Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa
The Ryan family lived near Lenox. This information was taken from the same book cited above:
In 1871 after completion of the Creston Branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Road, the town was platted, but it was not until February 1872, that any building first started. Lenox has nearly every line of business that is to be found in towns much larger. The merchants carry fine lines as they cater to a trade that will have the best.
In the 1895 Iowa Census the following were still living in the same household:
Ryan
Patrick 58 m Ir
Margaret 50 f Ir
Thomas 24 m 03
Michael 22 m 03
Mary 21 f 03
Ann 19 f 87
Dennis 17 m 87
Maggie 15 f 87
Katie 13 f 87
Agnes 11 f 87
Teresa 9 f 87
Nora 7 f 87
Frances 4 f 87
Patrick died in 1899. We could see Margaret still living in Taylor County. The map below shows Platte Township, which is located in the northeast quadrant of Taylor County. You will notice that Lenox is located on the edge of this Township. Looking in the land grant information did not provide any clues where they lived in this township. We assume it was near Lenox since several of their children were born there.
The 1900 census did resolve one puzzle still remaining from Margaret’s family lore. If you recall earlier, their family history suggests both Margaret and Patrick Ryan traveled to America on the same boat. The census shows she actually immigrated in 1863 and not 1850. 1850 is when Patrick’s family immigrated to America. 1863 is the year that our Ryan family ancestors immigrated to America. Do you see the ‘1863’ note on the upper right corner of the census fragment shown below?
By 1910 Margaret was still living in Taylor County; however, fewer of her children lived there. Interesting enough though is that the 1910 census also verifies the ‘1863’ immigration date we saw earlier in the 1900 US Census. This is noted in the upper right corner of this census fragment.
By 1920 Margaret had moved and was living in Davenport with her daughter, Theresa. You will notice that Agnes also moved to Davenport to be with her mother.
Margaret and Patrick Ryan Family Chart
This is their family chart that I found online.
Margaret Ryan b: 1 APR 1849 d: 27 JUL 1925
+ Patrick Ryan b: ABT. 17 MAR 1836 d: 18 SEP 1899
2 Daniel J. Ryan b: 10 AUG 1866 d: 21 JUN 1962
+ Majenty Skinner b: 10 MAR 1870 d: 3 JUL 1941
2 James P. Ryan b: 22 FEB 1868 d: 12 NOV 1957
2 Thomas Ryan b: ABT. 1870 d: 3 OCT 1936
2 Michael Ryan b: 8 AUG 1872 d: 22 JUL 1913
2 Mary Ellen Ryan b: 26 AUG 1873 d: 5 NOV 1951
+ Samuel House b: FEB 1872
3 Ellen House b: JAN 1897
3 Fred House b: AUG 1898
3 Pearl House b: APR 1900
2 Ann Theresa Ryan b: 5 OCT 1875 d: 29 AUG 1945
+ Otto B. Hartman b: 14 JAN 1876 d: 16 MAR 1952
3 Vera Hartmann b: OCT 1896
3 Harold Patrick Hartmann b: 24 APR 1899 d: SEP 1976
+ Anna Isabella Nott b: 22 FEB 1900 d: SEP 1991
4 Frances Eloise Hartmann d: BEF. 2002
4 Girl Hartmann
4 Living Hartmann
4 Ruth Jean Hartmann b: 8 JAN 1930 d: 8 DEC 2002
+ Living Cox
5 Living Cox
5 Living Cox
5 Living Cox
4 Richard Paul Hartmann b: 22 SEP 1935 d: 21 SEP 1992
+ Living Gerst
5 Living Hartmann
+ Living Pool
6 Living Pool
6 Living Pool
+ Living Broyles
3 Harriet Hartman b: ABT. 1901
3 Margaret Hartman b: ABT. 1904
3 Living Hartman
3 Living Hartmann
2 Dennis Ryan b: 8 AUG 1877 d: 14 MAY 1957
+ Julia Dempsey
2 Margaret Rose Ryan b: 27 JUN 1879 d: 4 JAN 1972
+ Lewis Bernard Deming b: 27 OCT 1878 d: 30 OCT 1967
3 Helen Deming
3 Living Deming
+ Living Gumienny
4 Living Deming
+ Living Schlueter
5 Living Schlueter
+ Living Trofka
5 Living Schlueter
5 Living Schlueter
5 Living Schlueter
5 Living Schlueter
5 Living Schlueter
4 Living Deming
4 Living Deming
4 Living Deming
2 Kathryn L. Ryan b: 15 OCT 1881 d: 13 FEB 1960
+ John F. Murphy , Sr. b: 1890 d: 1965
2 Agnes Ryan b: 23 SEP 1883 d: 8 MAY 1979
2 Theresa Ryan b: 11 NOV 1885 d: 30 AUG 1929
+ Charles Toher b: 1887
3 Living Toher
2 Nora Ryan b: 11 JAN 1888 d: 12 MAY 1938
+ Albert Case
2 Frances Edna Ryan b: 13 SEP 1890 d: 25 AUG 1980
+ James Sylvan Wilson b: 10 DEC 1890 d: 13 OCT 1950
3 Genevieve Lillian Wilson b: 24 FEB 1912 d: 3 AUG 1991
+ William R Alfred b: 11 MAR 1905 d: JUL 1973
4 James Robert Alfred b: 8 AUG 1933 d: 12 OCT 1948
+ George W. Anderson b: 1 MAY 1906 d: 9 JUL 1991
4 James Robert Alfred b: 8 AUG 1933 d: 12 OCT 1948
3 Charles LaVerne Wilson b: 29 SEP 1913 d: 22 FEB 1967
+ Living Teeter
+ Marie Booth b: 8 NOV 1912 d: 13 MAR 2005
4 Living Wilson
4 Living Wilson
+ Living Williams
4 Living Wilson
+ Living Dyer
4 Living Wilson
3 James Francis Wilson b: 27 MAY 1915 d: 17 MAR 1980
3 Paul Nathaniel Kenneth Wilson b: 31 DEC 1917 d: 9 JUN 1972
+ Lois Wynema Boles b: 6 OCT 1919 d: 3 SEP 1975
4 Living Wilson
4 Living Wilson
+ Living Harris
5 Living Wilson
+ Living Rakoz
6 Living Rakoz
6 Living Rakoz
6 Living Rakoz
+ Living Crimo
5 Living Wilson
+ Living Beckman
5 Living Beckman
4 James Edwin Wilson b: 19 MAY 1948 d: 4 FEB 2005
+ Living Wood
4 Living Wilson
+ Living Brooks
5 Living Brooks
+ Living Bybee
4 Living Wilson
+ Living Heyn
5 Living Heyn
5 Living Heyn
4 Living Wilson
+ Living Miller
5 Living Miller
5 Living Miller
3 Mary Margaret Wilson b: 23 MAR 1919 d: 4 JUL 1990
+ Living Barker
3 Richard Joseph Wilson b: 15 JUN 1933 d: 19 NOV 1987
+ Living Unknown
4 Living Wilson
4 Living Wilson
4 Living Wilson
4 Living Wilson