My Genealogy Hound

NAT RYAN, member of the firm of Allen & Ryan, Murray, was born September 5, 1851, in Calloway County. His father, Nathaniel H. Ryan, was a Virginian by birth. He came to Calloway County about 1848, and was engaged principally in farming and mercantile pursuits; he filled the position of sheriff of Calloway County from 1856 to 1860, and died in 1880. He and his wife, formerly Miss Sarah A. Wills, of Virginia, were members of the Christian Church, and were the parents of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest; the last remained at home until he was eighteen years of age. After following various pursuits, he was employed as salesman in a store at Crossland, Ky., for two years; coming to Murray, he was employed by Hale, Head & Co., as clerk for three years; then in 1876 he went to Texas, where he was engaged in farming and clerking; returning to Calloway County, he sold goods two years for a firm at Crossland, when he came to Murray, and with his present partner, opened a clothing and furnishing goods establishment, which was finally given to the general dry goods and clothing trade, in which the firm is still engaged. Mr. Ryan was first married to Alice E. Martin, of which union there was one child, Joseph. Mrs. Ryan died April 12, 1880, and he was subsequently married to Lula D. Coleman, of Murray. Mr. Ryan is a member of the Knights of Honor.