In Honor of James Nicholaus Ryan

You knew this one was coming.  This morning descendants of Ray and Roy Ryan, brothers of James, got together to share stories, information and artifacts.  The children, grandchildren, and spouses from the Ray Ryan branch included Jim, Peggy and Tim Ryan, Pat and Matt Biederman, and Chris, Paul and Mark DiBenedetto and Paul's son, Mario.  Descendants of Roy Ryan included Jim Ryan and his wife. Carol, Pat Gallagher, Mike and his wife, Doloures, and Dan Ryan.  The Jones branch was represented by Tim and Dusty, and Kath. Evelyn and Charles McCafferty had to cancel due to illness.

We had a wonderful time.  Everyone brought artifacts and stories.  Starting with James Hugh Ryan (gr-grandfather to me) was a brass moulder by profession.  You can  read more about him here and here.

James Hugh Ryan, grandson of the first James Hugh brought a working brass cannon. Mike Ryan, great-grandson brought an eagle and a very interesting bottle opener.  Look at it carefully!

Pat Biederman, daughter of Ray, had several samples of Rose Ryan's embroidery.  She brought the piece pictured at the left that had never been completed.

She also had a lacy nightcap that Rose had made.  Rose's mother had at one time had an embroidery shop run in conjunction with her Becker siblings.


Pat also shared with us a purse her grandfather (James Hugh) had brought back from the 1904 World's Fair for her mother, Rose.

Matt and Pat Biederman with purse

Probably one of my favorite items was a very little change purse that had been on the person of James Hugh at the time of his death.  It contained three pennies from the 1890's.

In addition to those items pictured, Mike Ryan brought numerous pictures of our grandfather, Roy, and Matt Biederman brought many of the items featured earlier this month in posts about James Nicholaus, the sailor.

My only regret is that I was so focused on all of the wonderful stories and trying to figure out who belonged to whom that I neglected to get pictures of everyone in attendance. I guess that means we have to do it again. I did manage to get a picture of a some of the new to me second cousins and spouses.

Chris DiBenedetto, Tim Ryan, Mark DiBenedetto, and Matt Biederman

Jim, Tim and Peggy Ryan

Tim, Peggy, Mark, Matt, Pat and Mike Ryan

I apologize to Jim, Carol, Paul, Mario, Tim, Dusty, Pat, Dan and Doloures for not getting a picture of you.  Next time, we put someone in charge of photography.  I so enjoyed meeting everyone.

Kathy

Note:  You can double-click on pictures to enlarge.  I would LOVE it if you would click on the comments box and add to the discussion.

James N. Ryan - Fact or Fiction

In the initial post about Jim Ryan, sailor, I referred to him as "St. James." This is because of the fact that over time, it's been hard to separate fact from fiction.  One of the biggest legends has to do with Jim "saving the day" on the USS Virginia by using his skills as a "moulder" to forge a critical piece that enabled the ship to continue its mission.  I believe the evidence suggests that there is truth to this legend.

In his naval career, Jim was promoted to "blacksmith"/foundryman. It is said that while at sea, Jim was able to "save the day" by forging a critical part that enabled the USS Virginia to continue on a tour.  From here the story becomes unclear.  My Uncle Jim Ryan told me that the piece in question was the ship's prop.  He said that Jim was able to dive down, remove the prop and make the critical repair.  Even as he told me the story, he agreed that this version was not feasible.  Pat Biederman told me that Alvin Wulfekuhl had been to the National Archives and verified the story.  I talked with Alvin and he claimed it was not him.  My cousin, Mike Ryan, told me that in a conversation with his Great-Aunt Rose (sister of the sailor) that she said because of Jim's success, a forge for the first time became a standard part of all ships moving forward.

This is a story that is going to require more investigation.  Apparently Jim told members of the crew that if they could get a hot enough fire, that he could make the repair.  Given the fact that he had worked with his father as a "moulder" before his enlistment, it appears that there has to be some factual basis to these commonly held
stories.  I've not yet figured out how to "prove" this, but should I or any of my readers solve this problem, I will update the blog.

I thought it would be fun to have a "snopes-like" question and answer about some of the things that have been said about James Nicholas Ryan.  So see how well you know Jim.

Claim:  Jim was 16 years old when he lied about his age in order to enlist in the navy.
PARTIALLY TRUE  Jim did "lie" about his age on his enlistment papers, but he was 18 at the time of enlistment
        -- not 16.

Claim:  Jim was a Junior, named after his father.

PARTIALLY TRUE  Jim has the same first name as his father, but his middle name is Nicholas (instead of Hugh).

Claim:  Jim died at the age of 22, a few days after his birthday.

Jim died on May 1, 1911.  His 22nd birthday was April 28th. (Some newspaper articles are incorrect).


Claim:  Jim died as the result of choking on tobacco.

 The cause of death was diphtheria.


Claim:  There is a building in Washington, D.C. named after Jim.

There is a building that houses students on the campus of Catholic University in Washington, D.C. named after James Hugh Ryan.  However, this James Hugh Ryan was a Rector at the university and later the Archbishop of the Diocese of Omaha.


Claim:  James N. Ryan is buried in an unmarked grave in St. John's Cemetery in St. Bernard, OH.

Not only is Jim buried in an unmarked grave in St. John's, but also his father, mother and six other relatives.  The family was very poor at the time.  When James Hugh died, he was buried in a single grave.  Rose Ryan was also buried in a single grave.  The others are in the same plot.  


Claim:  James and his father had a very close relationship.

UNDETERMINED  The letters between father and son and the "Father's Lament" published in the previous post suggest a very close relationship.  However, some family members were of the opinion that Jim enlisted to get away from his father. (I tend to think they were close).

Claim: At the time of Jim's death he was a blacksmith in the navy.

Jim was promoted to blacksmith/foundryman on January 1, 1910.


Claim:  Due to Jim's success in making a repair at sea, a forge was installed in all future battleships.

 UNDETERMINED  The evidence at this point is "oral tradition."  This is a question that also will require additional research.

To my Great-Uncle Jim -- You'd be surprised to hear of the impact that you've continued to have on your extended family.  Several family members still have your picture on display.  It is because of you that many of us hope to meet for the first time a week from Saturday.  Thanks for your story.

Kathy

James N. Ryan - A Father's Lament

Among Jim's personal effects returned to the family was the booklet "The Making of a Man 'O Warsman." referred to earlier.  It must have meant a lot to Jim's father, because he wrote this lament on the inside cover.

Here is the transcription:

Elmwood Place, Ohio

In the year nineteen ten (eleven) on the Battle Ship Virginia a young sailor lay dying.  Without any friends he lay waiting till the dawn when death would close his wings about him and shield him from the cares and troubles of this life.  He was far from home from those who loved him, far from the land that gave him birth. But now as he was dying, things certainly were different. His father loved him with a love as no one could ever love again, but his father never knew that he way dying -- never knew that he was sick.  His mother dear did not know either, so this made it all the harder for the poor sailor who was dying and so far from home and friends and no one to pray for him. Only one hour, however, he lay there sick.  He got worse, fell unconscious and failed to rally and died just as he had lived -- far away from home and mother. 

Cincinnati Times-Star, May 2, 1911, p. 3

The record shows that James Hugh demanded that a second autopsy be performed in Cincinnati. Although his son's body was returned in a sealed coffin, James Hugh wanted confirmation.  The evidence suggests that he got his wish.

According the the Death Notice, the funeral took place in the family home and was followed with a Mass at St. Aloysius Church.  He was buried at St. John's Cemetery in St. Bernard, OH.  He, along with his mother, father and several other Ryans are buried in this cemetery.  Not one grave is marked.

Just to complete the record for interested family, I am attaching a copy of Jim's Death Certificate.

James N. Ryan - The Unthinkable Happens

On May 1, 1911 twenty-two year old James Nicholas Ryan died -- of diphtheria.  Just four months shy of fulfilling his commitment to the Navy, he died of a disease that most of us don't even know existed.  We are vaccinated against it as babies.  His parents got the telegram that no parent ever wants to get.

Cincinnati Enquirer, May 2, 1911

Along with the telegram came disbelief. Jim's father could not accept that his young, healthy son was dead. There had to be some "other" explanation than the "official" one. Newspaper articles of the time reflect this confusion. Despite a Death Certificate that clearly states the cause of death as , the article states that "it was stated by some naval officials that there is some doubt as to the cause of Ryan's death." When contacted by the Enquirer, the officer in charge on the Virginia stated that "Ryan died of natural causes" but then added that he "did not care to discuss it."

Cincinnati Enquirer, May 2, 1911

It's no wonder the father questioned the cause of death. The telegram received by the parents simply stated:

"Your son, James M. Ryan, died suddenly this afternoon. Wire as to disposition of remains."  

I can't imagine getting a telegram telling me about the death of my firstborn-son and namesake that seems so matter-of-fact and unfeeling.  I would be in shock.  He was determined to get to the bottom of this. (You can click on the article to enlarge it).

Cincinnati Enquirer, May 4, 1911, p.4

The article states that Jim's death was due to heart failure, owing to diphtheria. It also adds that Ryan had been sick with diphtheria for five days, a fact reflected in Jim's service record. However, members of the crew stated that Jim was "up and around the ship an hour before his death." One officer stated Ryan "was ordered to the sick bay at 12:20 and died at 1:05." Reports such as this probably led to the speculation that Jim died by choking on tobacco. (See next clip)

I've not been able to ascertain the source of this article, but it contains a few errors. It lists Jim's age as 27 and his middle initial as an "M'. It attributes Jim's death to choking on a piece of tobacco that became lodged in his throat.  However, the article goes on to state that "Ryan's inquiries to the Navy Department resulted in a statement that the sailor had died of diphtheria.  This was followed by a statement that he had choked to death."




I think the evidence is overwhelming.  Jim died of diphtheria.  Everyone agrees that he was ordered to sick bay in the last hour of his life.  No one goes to sick bay for an hour to choke to death on tobacco.   It's hard for us to accept 100 years later that someone so healthy and young could die of a bacterial infection that we are vaccinated against and that can be cured by an antibiotic.  Yet antibiotics did not yet exist.  Needless to say, the family was devastated.

James Hugh and "Rose" Gross Ryan -- My Great-Grandparents - Part I

James "Hugh" Ryan was the 6th of eight children born to Hugh Ryan and Mary Ellen McInerney.  He was born on September 27, 1862.  He was known as "Hugh", which I find interesting because the 5th child was named "Hugh".  The first "Hugh" in the family was born in 1861 in Evansville.  I have a copy of his baptismal record, but I've yet to find out what happened to him.  I suspect he died at a very young age.

Hugh, as I will refer to him from here on out, was my g-grandfather.  Hugh is listed as living with his mother and siblings in Cincinnati from 1880 -1889.   During that time, the family moved from 13th St. to Cutter and Everett to Gest St. to W. 8th St. to 280 Baymiller.  (In 1886, Hugh and his sister Margaret briefly shared a separate address living on 9th Street).  Hugh married Mary "Rose" Agnes Pauline Gross on June 27, 1888 at St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Ottenheim, KY.  I've yet to figure out why their marriage took place in Kentucky.  Hugh's sister, Margaret, and Rose's brother, Julius Gross, were witnesses to the marriage.  When they initially got married, they lived with the rest of the family at 280 Baymiller in Cincinnati's West End.

Hugh's occupation is listed as "core maker" in the 1880 Cincinnati City Directory.  From 1882 through 1894, Hugh's occupation was listed as a "molder".  Hugh was promoted to "foreman" at the American Brass Works in 1895.  In 1897 the family relocated to 979 Clinton in the West End.  I was not able to find a City Directory for 1900, the year my grandfather Roy was born, but the family was living at 428 Plum in Elmwood Place (a suburb of Cincinnati) by 1901.

Hugh and Rose were the parents of nine children:   James Nickelos (1889), Mary Julia Cecilia (1890), Rose Mary Agnes (1892), Margaret Mary Agnes (1894), Florence Margaret (1895), Richard Matthew Hugh (1898), Royal (Roy) Joseph Francis (1900), Mary Beatrice (1902), and Raymond Matthew (1904).

The family was living at 404 Beech St. in Elmwood Place in November, 1913 when Hugh died of pneumonia. I visited the home today to take a picture and the two current residents graciously allowed me to do so.  They had just reseeded the front lawn and planted a garden full of spring flowers.  The home is a two-family, but I do not know if the Ryans occupied the whole house or not.

According to Aunt Evelyn, Hugh was out campaigning in early November 1913 for a candidate for Mayor of Elmwood Place. It was cold and rainy and Hugh became ill.  Hugh's Death Certificate says that he was first under the care of a doctor on November 7th.  He succumbed to pneumonia on November 16th, 1913. His Death Certificate listed him as "Superintendent of the Foundry".  He was only 51 years old.

Family life for the Ryans revolved around the parish Church in Elmwood Place.  St. Aloysius was the home of baptisms, funerals and family marriages.  Before Hugh's death in 1913, the family lost three of their nine children.  Richard died on February 21, 1902 at the age of four of scarlet fever and pneumonia.  Six days later, his seven year-old sister, Margaret, died of scarlet fever and measles.  Both children are buried at St. John's Cemetery in St. Bernard, Ohio.  I can't even imagine losing two children in a week.


The saddest death of all had to be the death of James Nickelos (various spellings).  He was born on April 28, 1889 and died on May 1st, 1911.  Just after his 22nd birthday, James died of diphtheria while aboard the U.S. Ship "Virginia" while it was docked in the Boston Navy Yards.  I recall hearing stories that James father, Hugh, insisted on opening the coffin when his son's body was returned to Cincinnati.  He just could not accept that James was actually dead without personally identifying the body.  All three children are buried at St. John's Cemetery in St. Bernard. They, like their parents, are in unmarked graves.

As this post is getting rather lengthy, I will continue with a focus on Rose in Part II.