THOMAS RYAN, Supervisor of Buena Vista township, resides on section 20, Schuyler county, Illinois. He was born October 20, 1845, and raised in this county. His parents were Charles and Margaret (Strong) Ryan. His father was born in Ohio, but removed with his parents to Frederick, Illinois, where he married, and settled in Buena Vista township in 1833. He was a brickmaker, and burnt the first brick ever made in Rushville. He also worked at the shoemaker's trade. He finally located on land in section 21, where he improved this farm of 120 acres, besides which he owned 320 acres more. He erected good substantial buildings on this place and otherwise improved and cultivated the land. Here he resided until the time of his death, which occurred January 9, 1891. His wife, mother of our subject, died December 16, 1879. They had eight children, five sons and three daughters: John, deceased; George, now residing in Texas (Grapevine); Catharine, wife of Thomas Armstrong; Louisa, wife of Alexander Young; Charles, deceased; Thomas, the subject of our sketch; William; and Margaret E., wife of Thomas Stoughel.The subject of our sketch was reared on the home farm, and received his education at the country schools of that district, residing at home until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1868, he was married to Ellen Shields, daughter of Joshua and Julia (Futler) Shields. She was born in Ohio, June 16, 1847. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and New York, who came to Illinois in 1857, locating in Rushville. Mr. Shields served in the late civil war, being a member of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment, and died while in the army. His wife, mother of Mrs. Ryan, is still living, in Canton, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have had twelve children, eight of whom are living, the latter being Martin, Josie, Homer, Minnie, Herman, Clarence, Lula and Lena, the last two being twins.
Mr. Ryan is one of the most successful farmers of the county, owning 160 acres of highly improved and cultivated land, devoted to mixed husbandry. He has a comfortable home and large barns for his grain and stock, besides other modern improvements.
Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, and has been honored by his constituents by being elected to the office of Supervisor of his township.
He is a respected member of the community on account of his many admirable traits of character, and has the good will of a large circle of acquaintances.
Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892, pages 249-250.
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