E. D. Ryan, proprietor of the Railroad House, McGregor, located here in 1860, and engaged in the grocery business until 1875, when he opened his present hotel. It has thirty sleeping-rooms, a parlor and dining-room, and is in every respect a first-class establishment. Mr. Ryan is a native of New York, where he was born Dec. 12, 1823. His parents, Alvin and Harriet (Porter) Ryan, had a family of 5 children, four daughters and one son. The subject of this sketch attended school until 17; then went to Ohio and engaged in running canal-boats and keeping hotel. He married Lydia Brandon in January, 1850, and the fruit of this marriage were five chidlren, one living, viz.: Mary, wife of Sheldon Hall, residing in Pueblo, Col. The mother died in 1859. Mr. Ryan then married Eliza Stacy in 1867. Five children were born of this union, one living, viz.: Shell Ryan, attending school. Mr. Ryan is a member of the I. O. O. f., Itasca Lodge, No. 111, of McGregor. He is one of the old settlers and enterprising representative men of McGregor, where he has been identified since 1860. In politics he is a Democrat. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 999 |