John Wellington Ryan1

b. 16 December 1871, d. 15 February 1965
FatherRobert R. Ryan2 b. 30 Jul 1830
MotherVirginia K. Givens3
Birth16 Dec 1871 John Wellington Ryan was born on 16 Dec 1871 in Charlottesville, Virginia.3 
Marriage21 Dec 1897 He married Lucy Gilmer Ryburn, daughter of James Orr Ryburn and Elizabeth Armstrong Clark, in Washington County, Virginia, probably on 21 Dec 1897 although a family record reports the date as the 22nd.2,4,5 
  John's entry on the couple's marriage record stated that he was employed as a telegraph operator in Montgomery County, Virginia. The couple returned there to live, probably in Shawsville, as their first child was born there in the summer of 1899. 
Cens-190011 Jun 1900  They were also recorded in Montgomery County on the 1900 census, along with 10 month old Robert. John was stated to be employed as a RR operator.6 
Cens-191030 Apr 1910  John and Lucy lived in Spring precinct, Mercer County, West Virginia, in 1910. The census enumerated that year recorded the couple with 4 of their 5 children [daughter Mary died in 1908]. John was employed as a salesman. All of the children were listed with a birthplace of Virginia, suggesting the family had not lived in West Virginia long.7 
  John had Ryan relatives in Mercer and neighboring Summers County. White G. Ryan, his father's brother, lived in Mercer County prior to the Civil War, returned to Virginia to fight for the Confederacy, then returned to West Virginia, eventually settling in Summers County where 2 of his sons remained. 
Cens-192030 Jan 1920 Sometime between 1910 and 1920 John and Lucy moved slightly north into Fayette County, West Virginia, where John went to work for the railroad.8 
Occupation  Both John's 1897 marriage record and his 1965 death certificate describe his occupation as a telegraph operator, suggesting this may have been his job with the railroad.2,3 
Residence From about 1942 on John and Lucy lived in South Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia.9 
Death15 Feb 1965 John died on 15 Feb 1965 in South Charleston at age 93.3 
Burial He was buried at Sherwood Memorial Cemetery in Salem, Virginia.3 

Family

Lucy Gilmer Ryburn b. 22 Feb 1873, d. 6 Sep 1959
Children
Last Edited1 Jan 2012

Citations

  1. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 19.
  2. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 97. John W. Ryan, 26, b. Montgomery Co. VA, living Montgomery Co., s/o Robert R. & Virginia K. Ryan, telegraph operator AND Lucy G. Ryburn, 24, d/o Jas O. & Elizabeth Ryburn; 21 Dec. 1897.
  3. [S861] Sandra Law, "RamblingRoots," e-mail to D. Powell, 23 Oct. 2010. Sandra cites the West Virginia death certificate for John W. Ryan (a copy of which she provided to this researcher).
  4. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 19. Date of marriage recorded as 22 Dec. 1897.
  5. [S149] Washington Co., VA Marriage Register 1 & 2 (transcribed), p. 409. The marriage date was listed as 21 Dec. 1897, but it should be noted that this register is a transcribed copy of an earlier record.
  6. [S1349] Jno W. Ryan household, 1900 U.S. cens., Montgomery Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Alleghany District, ED 62, sheet 7B, dwelling 135, family 135, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2011. Household includes: John W. Ryan, 27, b. Dec. 1872, marr 2 yrs, b. VA/VA/VA, RR operator; Lucy G., wife, 26, b. Feb. 1874, marr 2 yrs, mother of 1 child, is living, b. VA/VA/VA; Robert, son, 10/12, b. Jul 1899 VA; William Lancaster, 44, b. 1856, boarder, b. VA, civil engineer.
  7. [S2111] John W. Ryon household, 1910 U.S. cens., Mercer Co., West Virginia, pop. sched., Spring precinct, ED 144, sheet 14A (p. 156 stamped), dwelling 178, family 186, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2008, image 27 of 30. Household includes: John W. Ryon [sic], 38, marr #1, marr 12 yrs, salesman, rents home; Lucy, wife, 37, marr #1, marr 12yrs, mother of 5 children, 4 are living; Robert, son, 10; Margurite, dau, 8; Virginia, dau, 6; Charles, son, 10/12; all b. VA.
  8. [S2112] John W. Ryan household, 1920 U.S. cens., Fayette Co., West Virginia, pop. sched., Kincaid precinct, ED 28, sheet 22A (p. 82 stamped), dwelling 61, family 61, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2008, image 7 of 11. Household includes: John W. Ryan, 48, railroad operator; Lucy, wife, 47; Margurite, dau, 16; Virginia, dau, 12; Charles, son, 8; all b. VA.
  9. [S861] Sandra Law, "RamblingRoots," e-mail to D. Powell, 23 Oct. 2010. Sandra cites the West Virginia death certificate for Lucy (Ryburn) Ryan (a copy of which she provided to this researcher).
  10. [S2683] "West Virginia Deaths, 1853-1970", index and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ : June 2011), entry for Robert James Ryan, died 22 Mar 1965; citing Mercer Co., West Virginia Death Records, Vol. 11, p. 39 (digital image).