From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana pages 716 - 717

	Robert Ryan, section 31, Jackson Township, was born in the town of 
Niles, now Semphronius, Cayuga Co., N.Y., in Nov., 1814, a son of Robert and
grandson of Robert Ryan, who was a soldier in the War of Revolution, enlisting
when 13 years of age and serving 6 years.  Our subject's father was a soldier
in the War of 1812.  He settled in that same county, Cayuga Co., N.Y., in an
early day, and lived there till his death.  His widow is still living, aged
90 years.  In 1836 Mr. Ryan came to Indiana in company with a family by the
name of Jones, and settled in Lagrange County.  He worked by the month from 
November of that year till the following Spring for Russell Brown, of Lagrange
County, and later of Jackson Township, Steuben County.  The next summer he 
worked for several of the early settlers and in the meantime entered 280 acres
of land in DeKalb County, 80 acres in Fairfield and 200 acres in Smithfield
Township.  In the fall of 1837 he returned to New York and remained five years
and in 1842 came to Indiana.  He exchanged his 80 acres in Fairfield Township,
for 80 acres in Jackson Township, Steuben County, which is a part of his
present farm.  He afterward exchanged his 200 acres in Smithfield, receiving
as part payment a horse and buggy.  His interests from that time were 
entirely in Steuben County.  He afterward bought a 160 acres joining his first
purchase on the east, and still later another 80 acres making 320 acres in
all.  He has since sold 70 acres and now owns one of the best farms in the
township, of 250 acres, with a good residence and farm buildings.  Mr. Ryan
was married in May, 1850, to Catherine Beebe, a daughter of David Beebe, who
settled in Jackson Township in 1846.  They have five children -- Ann Eliza,
wife of Dennis Ryan; Viola, wife of Squire Appleman; Janet, wife of David
Haskins; Harvey, and Minerva, wife of James Bolin.  Mrs. Ryan's father, David
Beebe, was a native of Chenango County, N.Y., where he was reared and married
Polly Mead.  He moved to Steuben County in 1846, and lived in Jackson Township
till his death in 1871, aged 78 years.  His wife died in 1868.  A brother
of Mr. Ryan came to Steuben County about 1845 and lived on one of the farms
of his brother, but in 1850 returned to New York and now lives in 
Kelloggsville, Cayuga County.  Mr. Ryan in politics has been a Republican 
since the formation of the party.


Submitted By: Mindee Gleason
E-mail: bcmgleason@gmail.com