The O'Dea Families

     John Ryan was born on March 2, 1819 in Parish of Solloghodmore, County Tipperary. Godparents were Thomas Donovan and Sophia Donovan. He may have possibly been born in the townland of Clounganue.¹ He was the son of Cornelius Ryan and Hanora Donnell. John Ryan married Winifred Conway on March 27, 1838 in Youghal Arra in the Parish of Killaloe, County Tipperary. Note that the record indicates that John is from Barbaha. Although it appears that John was born in Newtown Eland (Parish of Oola) in Limerick, it's curious that he married a woman in the Parish of Killaloe which is quite some distance from where he was born.¹ John Ryan married Winiford (Winnie) Ryan, daughter of John Ryan and Mary Browne, circa 1850. John and Winifred may have been married in New York before traveling west to Illinois. John Ryan and Winiford (Winnie) Ryan were separated between 1865 and 1870 in Stark County, Illinois. Note that Winiford is living with her brother, William, in 1870. John Ryan re-married Winiford (Winnie) Ryan, daughter of John Ryan and Mary Browne, on November 7, 1878 in Valley Township, Stark County, Illinois. Sponsors for the wedding were Hannah Ryan and Edward Colgan. Note that this civil record indicates that this is John's third marriage and Winnefred's second. Also, and importantly, that John's parents were John Ryan and Hanna McDonnald (Donnell) of Tipperary and that Winifred's were John Ryan and Mary Brown of Tipperary. Although this civil marriage appears to be one of reconciliation, the couple having separated sometime between 1865 and 1870, it is interesting in that 1) it gives Winifred's age as 46 (when it was actually 57) and 2) that it lists her as a widow. However, since there is no doubt that this Winifred Ryan is the same Winifred Ryan who married John sometime around 1853, listing herself as a widow may have curtailed any embarassing questions in the County Clerk's office about the temporary separation.^2,3 John Ryan died on January 31, 1890 in Stark County, Illinois, at age 70. He was buried in St. Patrick Cemetery, Marshall County, Illinois. Neither John's nor Winifred's burial records appear in online resources like Find-a-Grave. However, during a visit to the cemetery, it was observed that John and Winifred are not buried next to one another. They have identical (and quite large) memorials, but the are placed about 80 feet apart. Winifred's is located next to William Ryan, her brother.