MICHAEL RYAN, proprietor of Washington Carriage Works, was born at Binghamton, N. Y., September 16, 1851. His parents, Martin and Mary (Fitzpatrick) Ryan, natives of County Galway, Ireland, came to America in 1847, and made their first home in New York State, where their three children were born; subsequently the family moved to Ohio, and thence, about the year 1854, to Washington county. The father died in Ohio, and his widow afterward married John Maloney, who was killed on the railroad July 12,1866. She resided with her son Michael until she died, on January 28, 1892, at the age of seventy-five years. The children born to her marriage with Martin Ryan are Bridget, wife of Henry Kane, of Donegal township; and Michael and James, both residents of Washington Penn. Michael Ryan, of whom this notice is written, obtained his education in the common schools of Washington county, and very early in life, owing to the limited circumstances of his parents, had to earn his own living. In 1868 he entered the carriage works of S. B. & C. Hayes, where he remained until he finished his apprenticeship, and then commenced work with Hayes & Wilson, remaining in their employ about eleven years. In 1881, in conjunction with his brother, he established a carriage factory, the style of the firm being Washington Carriage Works, Ryan Bros., proprietors, for the manufacture of light carriages. This partnership continued until January, 1891, when his brother retired. Mr. Michael Ryan has conducted the business alone since that time. In 1889 a commodious brick building was erected on East Beau street, which, in 1891, was remodeled and enlarged, and the industry has grown until it is now one of the foremost manufacturing establishments of Washington, and in the carriage building line it is in reality the only one devoted exclusively to the making of light vehicles in Washington. Mr. Ryan commenced life a poor boy, but by energy, perseverance, and strict attention to business he has deservedly earned an almost phenomenal success. He never married. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been a member of Washington borough council.

Text taken from page 281 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed August 1997 by Jean Suplick Matuson of Plano, TX as part of the Beers Project. Published August 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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