Ryan
What's In a Name?
(Another in a series of articles on how towns in  the Tri-State area got
their names.)
The town of Ryan, la., was named after the Rev. P. H. Ryan, who served as pastor of St. Patrick's Church from 1882 to 1908.
J. A. Thomas, A. A. Anderson and Arthur Flint platted the town in August, 1888. Early in 1901, Ryan was incorporated. In September of that year the citizens voted to build a waterworks system. Necessary ground for this was purchased for $350, and the pumphouse and  works were constructed at a cost of $5,000.
A volunteer fire department was then organized. In 1913 members of the department built their own fire station.
Ryan is in Delaware County, about 54 miles southwest of Dubuque.
 

Submitted by Becky Teubner on February 23, 2004.

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