Ryans of Cushing

The James Ryan Family

Cushing, Oklahoma

The following represents a quick overview of the Ryans of Oklahoma. They have some knowledge regarding the Ryans, but as we have found with many families, the family history does have some gaps. Here are some of the highlights, including information derived from the obituaries to your left.

Don Ryan's mother married John Ryan in Canada, although they are not certain how they met.
John Ryan and his wife had 6 sons and 1 daughter, and by the time Don was born his oldest brother (Jim) and sister (Adeline) were no longer at home.
Don and Millie married in 1957, spent their early married life in Houston.
John Ryan died in 1959. Millie indicated that he had a hearing problem (sound familiar?)
Don worked for Phillips Petroleum and spent time in Libya (1963)
Don's uncle lived in Cushing, was a bachelor.
Don's aunt, Margaret (Peg) Squibb, died while visiting in Cushing; and is buried with the rest of the Ryan family.
John's brothers and sisters included Jim, Ed, Henry and Willie. Willie lived in California.
Of all the children of James and Bridget (Hill) Ryan, only one married and stayed in Cushing. This was Don's father, John.
Of the 7 children of John Ryan, Robert was the only one who remained in Cushing. He died this past summer (2005).

Millie had indicated that they had tried to research the family at one time, but "We had heard that the court house had burned and Dad Ryan's birth certificate had been lost in the fire. Also, Don had heard that his grandfather had run a saloon in Iowa."

A note was attached to the obituaries I received today, it said, "looks like a lot of them had heart problems." Since we know that high cholesterol runs in the family, it is important that we get our levels checked.

The obituaries do provide some clues about where the family lived prior to their residence in Cushing, Oklahoma.

James E. Ryan died at the age of 63. He was born in Waukon, lived in Colorado before moving to Cushing permanently in 1922.
Joseph F. Ryan died at the age of 77. He was born in Kimball, South Dakota in 1887, and came to Cushing in 1917.
John P Ryan died at the age of 77. He was born in Waukon, and came to Oklahoma in 1902. This appears to be the same time that Dennis and Daniel came to Oklahoma, as well.
Henry Ryan died at the age of 70. As with many of the brothers and sisters, had his requiem mass at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
John Robert Ryan died in 1921. He was 1 years old and 10 months. Price of coffin - $60.
Tom F. Ryan, son of Pat Ryan, died in 1917. He was 22 years old.
Tresia Bridge (Teresa Bridget) Ryan, died in 1923. She was 26 years old. This misinterpretation of Teresa's name seems to suggest that the writer wrote what he heard...the listener was hearing the name through an Irish brogue.

For more information on this family, refer to James Ryan Family

Josephine Bridget Ryan's obituary announcement. A few observations:

Mary Ryan was a sister-in-law to Mrs. James Ryan. She was married to James Ryan's youngest brother, Daniel, and by this time the census showed them living in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This was supported by the obituary announcement.
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Burke also attended the funeral. Mrs. Burke was James Ryan's sister, Nancy. Nancy's baptismal name was Honora, and in census documents in Allamakee County, was sometimes listed as "Ann".
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Nihil were also listed as relatives, they were related thru the Burkes, specifically Nancy Ryan Burke. Josephine's sisters married a Quinn, Ryan, Murrin, and Fitgerald. James Ryan's sisters married a Ryan, O'Brien, Boney in addition to a Burke. One of the girls may have remarried, or were cousins to the Ryans.

For additional information regarding the James Ryan family, refer to the site map. Sections of interest will include Allamakee County documents, Ryan library, and James Ryan entry into the politics of Allamakee County.