There are at least three distinct Ryan clans in Adams and Taylor Counties, of which only one is associated with our clan - the James and Anna Ryan clan of Allamakee Iowa.
The family line we're linked with is the Patrick and Margaret (Ryan) Ryan family, and it is through Margaret that the connection is most direct (she was the second eldest daughter of James and Anna Ryan). We have written quite a bit about this family over the past few years (see Patrick and Margaret Ryan and Ryan History), and this story focuses on the newspaper articles that have reflected their life history since the late 1900s.
We are not certain when this family left Allamakee, but we do know it was before the death of John H. Ryan, a son who lived less than a year, and who is now buried in St. Patrick's cemetery in Lenox, Iowa. That year was 1887. We do have an idea what life was like in early Taylor County, as Daniel Ryan was interviewed by one of his grand-daughters, and she documents what it was like growing up in the rural areas south of Lenox (see Daniel Ryan).
It took a little time to figure out which Ryans "went together" - Tim did this awhile back and I retraced the same path trying to sort things out in the Adams County newspapers. Both Ryan families had children with similar first names (like Ed, Pat, Dan, Lillian and so on), but after awhile, it became easier because the extended families who attended family gatherings had unique last names. For example, in the Patrick and Margaret Ryan family from Allamakee, names such as Cotter, Wilson, Deming, Sharp, Lynam and others were unique to the family lines. On the other hand, in the other Patrick Ryan family line, we saw names like Kennedy and Sullivan actively participating in family picnics, dinners, and other family events.
Family through the eyes of the local newspaper.
The newspaper articles are divided into four groupings:
Ryan Gatherings (Christmas, Thanksgiving, dinner parties, picnics, reunions)
Early Clearfield, Iowa
Clearfield, Iowa. Town closest to the Ryans of Taylor County.
Industry in Lenox, Iowa, Taylor County.
First of all, they were a very close knit family, and you see them gathering for family functions from the early 1900s to the 1960s. They liked to hold dinner parties, especially with one another, and when one of the nephews or nieces came back to visit, it was an event the whole family shared.
Secondly, death notices or obituaries became more commonplace as the 20th century progressed. In the earlier years, notice of a death in the family, particularly a death of a child, may have been reflected in the gossip sections rather than a single news article focused on the recent passing. One of the more notable obituaries was for William Ryan, a young man of 29 years. It doesn't say exactly what the cause of death was, but based on the article it was either tuberculosis, asthma or some other respiratory long-term illness. There were also other Ryans who had respiratory illnesses, and from what we have seen in our family research, this was not an uncommon condition or illness among the Ryan families.
Third, there were a few who had a great love of politics and public life. Most, though were content with their being with their families and working hard on their farms. For those who left Lenox for other larger communities, they seemed to find success in other pursuits such as teaching, industry and medicine. And like others of the time, the Ryans homesteaded in South Dakota and Nebraska. In addition to a few articles contained here, we saw something written about Nora and Maggie Ryan several months ago (see Nora & Maggie).
Finally, there is always "bad news", and we have classified these into two categories: illnesses and "really bad news." Illnesses are a fact of life, and will be experienced by all families. Some news is unwelcome, such as a fire in the family home as Dennis Ryan experienced. But one of his brothers had a very traumatic experience while just a teenager. He accidentally killed one of his friends in a hunting accident when he was either 14 or 15 years old.
As you read the articles, they will give you a perspective of how this family lived throughout most of the past century.