Biography of

Frederick J. Ryan, 1st Lt.

Regimental Quartermaster

Frederick J. Ryan was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1822. His birth records were destroyed in a Dublin fire around 1920. Sometime prior to 1850, he emigrated to Canada and came to Barnston, Quebec. On November 5, 1853, he married Elizabeth Sutton. He emigrated to the United States shortly thereafter. He stayed a brief period of time in Moundsville, Virginia where their first child, sarah was born on September 24, 1854. By 1859, the Ryans had moved to Athens, Ohio. Fred enlisted in the 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (3 months service) in April, 1861 as soon as war broke out. At the end of the enlistment, he reenlisted with the 18th as a Quartermaster Sergeant. On September 1, 1862, he was made a 1st Lieutenant and assigned the job of Regimental Quartermaster. He served with the 18th through all the major engagements. In April, 1864, he was suffering from dysentery. He was mustered out of the service at Chattanooga and made his way home.

Little is known of his postwar years. He was a civil engineer by trade. He died in Athens, Ohio in 1896. Elizabeth moved to Logan, Ohio where she lived with her daughter until her death in 1922. She was reunited with her husband and they are buried together at the Union St. Cemetery in Athens, Ohio.

(Information and photos provided by Robert Brown)