Ryan, Squibb & Sheridan Families (Saskatchewan)
Surnames listed above are all connected to the James Ryan (Jr.) family. Mary (Mayme) Ryan married William Sheridan. Margaret Ann (Peggy) Ryan married Harold Squibb. Mayme and Peggy’s parents were James Ryan and Bridget Hill. James Ryan and Bartholomew (Batt) Ryan were brothers. Their spouses (Elizabeth Hill and Bridget Hill) were sisters. The chart below shows how the Smith siblings tie in with the James Ryan and Bridget Hill family.
Much of this information was taken from a book titled, “Fifty Years of Progress 1900 – 1950, Chiefly the Story of the Pioneers of the Watson District from 1900 – 1910”, which was edited by Ben Putnam and others.
Watson, Saskatchewan
The Ryan family immigrated to Canada in 1906 and settled in Watson, Saskatchewan. What possessed them to move north is unknown; however, Canada was giving away free or nearly free land. Many settlers in the area filed homesteads through the St. Peter’s Catholic Society in St. Paul, Minnesota. Perhaps the Ryan family filed for homesteads through this organization as well. Western Canada was lauded as the ‘last Great West’ and many came to grab cheap land.
Watson originally was known as Iron Springs Creek. In 1906 rain fell every other day and crops were bountiful. In 1907 and 1908 crops froze. Older pioneers remembered the winter of 1906 to 1907 for its snowfall and cold weather. Ducks, geese and deer were plentiful.
Harold Squibb and Margaret Ann Ryan family
WT (Bill) Smart recalls the early pioneer days. A native of England, WT Smart moved to Watson where he thrived as a banker. (FYP Pg. 25)
In 1910 Harold Squibb may have been living in Toronto, Ontario. It is not clear when he moved to Watson. Peggy Squibb died in Cushing, Oklahoma while visiting her family. She is buried in St. Leo’s Cemetery in Cushing. Her husband, Harold Edward Squibb, died in North Saanich, British Columbia on January 5, 1969. He was 86 years old at the time of his death.
Harold and Peggy appear to have had at least two children. One unnamed child died in childbirth on June 6, 1920. Another child, Harold Edward Squibb Jr. died during World War II on August 13, 1944 in Germany. He was 26 years old at the time of his death. Flight Sergeant Squibb was assigned to the 166 R.A.F. Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. His records show his parents as Harold Edward and Margaret Ann Squibb of Cushing, Oklahoma, USA. He is buried in the Hannover Military Cemetery which adjoins the Hanover War Cemetery (Grave Reference: Coll. Grave 12. E. 8-10).
James and Bridget Ryan Family
In 1900 James and Bridget Ryan were living in Jefferson Township, Allamakee County, Iowa. Other Ryans living in Iowa included Henry E., William, John, Maggie, Joseph and Winifred. In 1906 the Ryans left Iowa and headed to Canada.
The following information comes from WT (Bill) Smart while recalling Watson’s pioneer days. (FYP Pg. 27)
Much of the town life in those early days centered around the hotel. Originally known as the Victoria Hotel, it later was renamed the King George Hotel.
1906 Saskatchewan Census, Humboldt District (13).
1911 Census, Saskatchewan, Humboldt District, 28 Township 36:
From the 1911 census we learn the Ryan and Sheridan families moved to Canada in 1906 and became naturalized citizens in 1909. In 1906 we see the Sheridan and Ryan families living next to each other.
Mary “Mayme” Sheridan Family
In 1900 Mary Sheridan was living in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, William Sheridan, and their daughter Luien F. Sheridan. A boarder, Margaret Ryan, is listed living with them at this time. By 1906 Mary had moved to Saskatchewan and was listed as a widow on the 1906 Canadian census. It is not clear what happened to her husband, William. The following item only concerns the home where the Sheridan family lived in Watson (FYP Pg. 72).
1911 Census, Saskatchewan, Town of Watson:
Mayme and her family lived on Railway Avenue in Watson, Saskatchewan. Her two children, Lewine and Paul, also lived with her. The census does not show Mayme’s occupation; however, her sister, Winnie Ryan, was living with Mayme’s family in Watson working as a music teacher.
In 1930 we see Mamie B. Sheridan living with her mother, Bridget Ryan, in Cushing, Oklahoma. Mary Bridget Sheridan died in Youbou, British Columbia, aged 74 years on January 20, 1947.