In the person of this gentleman we have that of one of the most highly respected citizens of Galena - an old resident of the county who came here in April 1846. He soon afterward established a wholesale and retail grocery business in parnership with his brother, the firm doing business under the style of William & J.M. Ryan. They continued together until August 1868, when the partnership was dissolved and our subject became sole proprietor; William going to Dubuque Iowa where he established himself as a pork-packer. This business he has since conducted to excellent advantage and it is now carried on under the firm of William Ryan & Son.

Prior to the dissolution of the firm of William & J.M. Ryan, they had abandoned the wholesale grocery trade and taken up pork-packing. Our subject later turned his attention to this latter industry in which he began to reap excellent profits. He put up slaughter housesss with a capacity of 1,000 hogs per day, and soon became known as the leader in this business in Northern IL - outside of Chicago. He still controls an extensive trade in all kinds of green and cured meats, his shipments extending east and south, and resulting in a large income annually. The buildings occupy more than a block of ground, are substantial, and are suitably equipped with every thing necessary for the business.

Mr. Ryan some years since invested aportion of his surplus capital in land and now has a farm of over 600 acres just outside the city, which comprises a very valuable piece of property, and there he makes his home. He has a beautiful residence and tasteful surrounds, an ample supply of live-stock and farm machinery and all the other appurtenances of the model country estate. The residence is finely located and commands a view of the surrounding country not often enjoyed.

A native of Muskingum County, Ohio our subject was born near the city of Zanesville, October 8, 1828 and is the son of James adn Margaret (McNulty) Ryan who were born in Ireland, where they were reared and married. After this last important event they at once set out for America and for a few years sojourned in Maryland. Later they removed to Ohio and settled in Muskingum County, whence they removed later to Licking County. Thence in 1846 they came to Northern IL locating near the present site of Galena, where the father died two years later at the age of 51. James Ryan carried on farming with fair success, was an excellent man in his household and among his neighbors,a nd in religious matters a stanch adherent of the Catholic faith. The mother survived her husband until 1868, dying at the age of 72 years. She was a pleasant and intelligent old lady, and usually enjoyed remarkably good health. SHe, like her husband, was reared in the doctrines of the Catholic Church; and clung throughout her lif to the religion of her childhood. There were born to the parents two sons and a daughter, of whom James M. was the youngest. His elder brother, William, we have already mentioned; he married Miss Ann E. Dignan. The daughter, Mary A., is the wife of Thomas Flaherty, a dealer in agricultural implements at Dubuque Iowa.

Mr. Ryan, our subject, was a youth of 17 years when he came to this county with his father. On October 8, 1854 he was married to Catherine McNulty who was born in St Louis MO April 5, 1832. This lady died at her home in Galena, Nov. 26, 1888. She had been carefully reared and educated and was the daughter of John & Catherine (McAnulty) McNulty, who were natives of Ireland and emigrated to the US in their youth. They were married in St. Louis MO, later came to this county and spent their last days in Galena; the mother dying in the prime of life and the father, when 74 years old. Both were life-long Catholics.

Of this first marriage of our subject there were born 8 children - the eldest of whom, Charles, was educated at Seton Hall NJ and is now engaged in the provision trade at Helena MT, with his brother, James W. Minnie and Katie completed their education in the Sacred Heart Academy in Manhattanville NY; James W. finished his studies at Notre Dame IN; Oswald E. is the assistant of his father in the pork-packign business. He completed his education by a course in Notre Dame; John M. is a student of the Univ. of Georgetown, DC; Cecilia is attending the academy at Sinsinawa Mound, in Grant County WI; Albert is studying in the Feehan Hall or Annunciation School at Galena. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan, as were there respected parents, are connected with the Catholic Church and our subject, politically is independent, upholding principles and not men. During the residence of Gen. Grant in Galena he was the warm friend of Mr. Ryan and frequently wrote him cordial letters after leaving IL.

Contributed by Carol Parrish Portraits & Biographical 1889 Pg 610