Sacramento County
Biographies
HON. JOHN RYAN
HON. JOHN RYAN.--The domain of history
is wide, embracing in its scope not alone all objects and interests with which
the attention of mankind is engaged, but as well the grandest moments of the
greatest nation; yet withal, when examined minutely, it is found to consist at
bottom of nothing whatever else than the actions and attributes of individual
men. For inasmuch as individuals make the nations, so do their individual acts
make the history of the nations, and hence of the world. It is, therefore, with
no feeling of hesitancy or of doubt that pen is taken in hand to record in the
annals of Sacramento County this biographical sketch of one who, while not a
man of ’49, yet came early enough in the history of the city to have borne a
prominent part in our city’s upbuilding, as will be clearly seen in the
following lines. Hon. John Ryan was born in Ireland in 1825, and came to
America in 1843, going first to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he remained until
1848. In that year he went to New Orleans, and after a short time came up the
Mississippi River to Memphis and St. Louis. Finally, in the spring of 1852 he
set out for the long and tedious journey across the plains to California by ox
team. They met plenty of Indians on the way, but fortunately experienced no
difficulties with them of a serious nature. They reached Hangtown (now
Placerville) August 1, 1852. Mr. Ryan went at once to the mines, remaining
there for two years. At the end of that time he came down to Sacramento and
began the manufacture of brick, engaging at the same time in contracting of all
kinds. From that time to this, or for a period of thirty-six years, he has been
successfully and prominently identified with the building and progressive
interests of the city, being now the oldest of the more prominent contractors
and brick manufacturers of the capital. His brick-yards are situated just
outside the city limits, south of Y street. Like so
many others of our older citizens, he has known times of trial and hardship as
well as times of prosperity, bearing his full share of misfortunes,--misfortunes,
however, which he rose above, refusing to be daunted by them. During the flood,
at one time, he was forced to break a hole through the roof of his cottage, by
means of which he was enabled to pass his family into a boat, and thence remove
them to a place of safety. Mr. Ryan has held public office on more than one
occasion. We may instance the facts of his being street commissioner, second
trustee, superintendent of streets, etc. He was married in June, 1856, to Miss
Maria Lyons, a native of Ireland. They have three sons and five daughters,
bearing the following names respectively: Frank D., Henry L. and J. L., and
Mary, Agnes, Blanche, Rosa and Celia. Mr. Ryan has been honored in his
children, as will be seen in the biography of his eldest son, Hon. Frank D.
Ryan, which appears elsewhere.
Transcribed by Vicky
Walker, 12/07/07.
Source: Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated
History of Sacramento County, California. Page 783.
Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007 Vicky Walker.