Dennis T. Ryan, formerly president of the Valley Farm Creamery, in which connection he developed a business of substantial proportions, is numbered among New Haven’s native sons, born on the 12th of April, 1861, his parents being Timothy and Anna (Ryan) Ryan, who were natives of Ireland, the latter becoming a resident of New Haven when a little maiden of nine summers. In young manhood Timothy Ryan crossed the Atlantic and was married in Connecticut, establishing his home in New Haven. After the outbreak of the Civil war he responded to the country’s call for troops, enlisting in September, 1861, with the Ninth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, celebrated as the “Fighting Ninth.” While at the front he was taken with fever and was sent to a hospital in New Orleans, where he passed away in December, 1861. He was a designer and painter and in that connection had been employed in a furniture establishment. His widow is still living and has reached the advanced age of eighty years. In the family were two children: T. J., who is living in Westville, Connecticut; and Dennis T., of this review.

     The latter attended school in Westville and on starting out in the business world became connected with the grocery trade, in which he continued until 1884, when, at the age of twenty-three years, he turned his attention to the creamery business, securing a minor position with the Hemingway Creamery Company. Gradually he worked his way upward, assuming added responsibilities from time to time as promotions came to him, and in 1907 he was elected to the presidency of the company, which became known as the Valley Farm Creamery, and was in charge of the business until he retired from active business cares quite recently. He conducted both a wholesale and retail creamery business and the sales of the company reached a large annual figure.

     In April, 1884, Mr. Ryan was married to Miss Mary J. Hemingway, of New Haven, a daughter of Samuel and Amanda (White) Hemingway, the former the founder of the creamery company. The family is a very prominent one of New Haven. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have one child, Agnes Devereaux. She was born in Westville in 1889 and is a graduate of the high school and of the Catholic Institute of New Haven.

     The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, while in politics Mr. Ryan is an independent democrat. A self-made man, he started out in life empty-handed but early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins. Centuries ago the Greek sage Epicharmus said: “Earn thy reward; the gods give naught to sloth.” This Mr. Ryan has done. Alert and energetic, he applied himself closely to business and through a third of a century’s connection with the creamery trade gained a substantial place in business circles and a competence which permits him to enjoy serenely and at leisure the fruits of his labors.