Marsh and Ryan family papers
MSS.133
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October 17, 2014
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Alexander M. Bracken Library
2000 W. University Avenue
Muncie, Indiana, 47306
765-285-5078
libarchives@bsu.edu
Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Table of Contents
Summary Information ................................................................................................................................. 3
Biographical Note.......................................................................................................................................... 4
Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 5
Arrangement...................................................................................................................................................5
Administrative Information .........................................................................................................................6
Related Materials ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................7
Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 9
Series 1: Marsh and Ryan family papers, 1837-1902, 1966...................................................................9
Series 2: Marsh and Ryan family oversize material, 1888................................................................... 12
Series 3: Marsh and Ryan family photographs, 1860-1980..................................................................12
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Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Summary Information
Repository
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Creator
Marsh family
Creator
Ryan family
Title
Marsh and Ryan family papers
Date
1837-1980
Extent
1.0 Cubic feet 2 boxes, 1 oversize folder
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Marsh and Ryan family papers, Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries
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Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Biographical Note
The Marsh and Ryan families were two of the most prominent families in Muncie, Indiana during the Gas
Boom era. John Weller Ryan was born on November 5, 1837 in Butler County, Ohio. Before he became
a prominent Muncie attorney, J. W. Ryan was 1st Lieutenant of the 34th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
during the Civil War. After being accepted into the Bar Association, he partnered with the law firm of
Joseph Buckles, and in 1870 the firm became Buckles and Ryan. Ryan was known for his knowledge in
bankruptcy, specifically the practice of corporate and contractual law for industrial development. In 1876,
the discovery of natural gas in East Central Indiana heightened Ryan's career.
Ryan married Lida A. Jenkins at an unknown date and location. Lida was a recognized musician and artist
regionally. During the late 1860s, the couple moved to Muncie from the Winamac, Indiana area. J. W.
and Lida resided at 603 East Jackson Street in Muncie. They had four children, two daughters, Susan D.
and Mildred V., and two sons, Thomas L. and Walter S. Ryan. At the age of 52, Lida died on August
24, 1893. In 1902, J. W. Ryan completed a story about his late wife entitled, "A Story of the Life and
Character of Lida A. Ryan, 1841-1893." J. W. Ryan passed away on September 23, 1919.
Susan Delaney Ryan Marsh was born in Winamac, Indiana on December 29, 1865. She moved to Muncie
with her parents and was raised in the family home on 603 East Jackson Street. Susan was an aspiring
artist, inspired by her mother, who gave her art lessons at their family home. She also studied with J.
Otto Adams, a famed artist who also lived in Muncie. After attending art school in Cincinnati and New
York City, she married John Rollin Marsh on August 5, 1889. John R. and Susan Marsh lived on 616 East
Adams Street. The couple's American Four Square home was built after their marriage circa 1904.
J. R. Marsh was the son of a notable banker, John Marsh. After his marriage to Susan, he took up candid
photography as a hobby. In Muncie, his photography detailed interiors and exteriors, families, street
scenes, and picnics. The Marsh and Ryan family photograph collection is made possible through the work
of John Rollin Marsh's photography.
J. R. Marsh and the Kimbrough family became founders of the Indiana Bridge Company in Muncie. J.R.
was employed with the company for over 50 years as chief engineer, director, secretary, and treasurer,
1887-1947. He was also active in the community serving on several committees and boards.
Susan Marsh was a prominent artist, clubwoman and civic worker for over 50 years within the Muncie
community. She was a founder of the Muncie Branch of the National League of American Pen Women,
the Muncie Art Association, and the Matinee Musicale. She was also one of the first members of the Art
Students League. As past president of the Pegasus Poetry Club, she furthered the work of the organization
as well as the membership of the Woman's Club. At the age of 94, Susan died on December 12, 1959.
J. R. and Susan Marsh's three children, Mildred, Rodney, and Carleton Marsh are heavily documented
through photographs in this collection.
Susan's sister, Mildred Veronese Ryan Beatty was born on April 14, 1868. Mildred was an accomplished
harpist within the family. She married Ross J. Beatty in mid-September 1894 in Muncie. Ross was born
on August 12, 1854 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. While the couple lived in Muncie, he was president
of the Midland Steel Company and Manufactors Gas and Oil Company, and vice president of the Muncie
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Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Belt Railway. During the late 1890s, he was also involved in the purchase of Inland Steel Company.
The couple had three children, two sons, and one daughter. Ross and Mildred moved to Highland Park,
Illinois for career reasons. Mildred passed away on December 29, 1962. She is buried in the Lake Forest
Cemetery with her husband, Ross.
Thomas Leicester Ryan was born in 1872 in Muncie. He attended Muncie High School and was later
employed as chief draftsman at the Indiana Bridge Company. After finishing his high school education,
Ryan completed a course in engineering at the Hoboken Institute of Technology and studied law under his
father. He joined his father's firm, which became Ryan and Ryan, in 1898. He worked several years as a
consulting engineer and patent attorney. He was also president of the Highlands Manufacturing Company.
Thomas married Lenora Highlands of Clinton, Iowa at an unknown date. The couple had three children, a
son, and two daughters.
Ryan was heavily involved with civic engagements, including the Muncie Artists Association, Pegasus
Poetry Club, Muncie Commercial Club, Delaware Country Club, the Indiana Bar Association, the
American Bar Association, and was president of the Muncie Bar Association until 1940. Thomas passed
away on December 27, 1962.
Walter Scott Ryan was born in 1875 in Muncie. He married Edna Woodruff of Bridgeton, New Jersey
during the 1890s. The couple had two known children that are featured within this photograph collection.
Walter was active in the Navy as 1st Assistant Chief Electrician. He practiced electrical engineering in
New York and later patented useful improvements for the flashing sign on October 28, 1912. Walter
passed away in 1941.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains correspondence, legal documents, family publications, receipts, postcards,
photographs, and other records ranging from 1837 to 1980 documenting the history of the Marsh and
Ryan families of Muncie, Indiana.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1: Marsh and Ryan family papers, 1843-1902, 1966
Series 2: Marsh and Ryan family oversize material, 1888
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Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Series 3: Marsh and Ryan family photographs, 1860-1980
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Archives and Special Collections, Ball State
University Libraries, Muncie, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to
Archives and Special Collections.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Archives and Special Collections as a donation from Ned Griner and
Alida Marsh Smith on 1986/08/13. Additions were received by Ned Griner on 1991/12/19, and by John
and Mary Marsh on 2012/09/11.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 1994/02/18 by M. Sears. EAD finding aid created 2012/10/05 by Julie
Hausknecht. EAD finding aid revised 2013/10/07 by Lindsey Vesperry and 2014/10/17 by Brandon
Pieczko.
Existence and Location of Copies
Some materials from this collection have been digitized and are available online in the Ball State
University Libraries Digital Media Repository:
http://libx.bsu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/MarsRyan
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Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Related Materials
Related Archival Materials
Materials relating to this collection may be found in the following collections in Archives and Special
Collections, Ball State University Libraries, Muncie IN:
MSS.345: Beatty-Atkins-Ryan family papers
MSS.127: Ryan-Stradling-Shirey-Puntenney-Tuhey families papers
Controlled Access Headings
Genre(s)
• Correspondence
• Documents
• Photographs
Geographic Name(s)
• Delaware County (Ind.)
• Muncie (Ind.)
Personal Name(s)
• Griner, Ned
• Marsh, John
Subject(s)
• Family
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Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
• Family--History
• Stoeckel Archives of Local History
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Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Series 1: Marsh and Ryan family papers, 1837-1902, 1966
Collection Inventory
Series 1: Marsh and Ryan family papers, 1837-1902, 1966
Accounts, 1881
Announcement, 1883
Catalog of family photos, No. 1-120, 1889-1892
Catalog of family photos, No. 121-299, 1892-1896
Catalog of family photos, No. 300-555, 1896-1902
Catalog of glass negatives by John R. Marsh (photocopies), 1890-1905
Correspondence, 1873-1877
Correspondence, 1880-1881
Correspondence, 1882-1883
Correspondence, 1884-1885
Correspondence, 1886
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Box
Folder
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
1
10
1
11
Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Series 1: Marsh and Ryan family papers, 1837-1902, 1966
Correspondence, 1887
Correspondence, 1888
Correspondence, 1889-1890, 1966
Correspondence, undated
Correspondence from C.A. Hazlett to John Rollin Marsh, 1883 Nov. 2
Correspondence from John Marsh to John Rollin Marsh, 1883 Oct. 21
Correspondence from John Marsh to John Rollin Marsh, 1883 Oct. 27
Correspondence from John Marsh to John Rollin Marsh, 1883 Nov. 4
Correspondence from John Marsh to John Rollin Marsh, 1883 Nov. 11
Correspondence from John Marsh to John Rollin Marsh, 1884 Nov. 23
Correspondence from John Marsh to John Rollin Marsh, 1885 Feb. 1
Correspondence from John Marsh to John Rollin Marsh, 1886 Jan. 24
Correspondence from John Marsh to John Rolllin Marsh, 1886 June 27
Correspondence from John R. Marsh to John Ryan Marsh, 1837 May 9
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1
12
1
13
1
14
1
15
2
1
2
2
2
3
2
4
2
5
2
6
2
7
2
8
2
9
2
10
Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Series 1: Marsh and Ryan family papers, 1837-1902, 1966
Correspondence from John Rollin Marsh to Mildred Marsh, 1895 Mar. 22
Correspondence from John Rollin Marsh to Mildred Marsh, 1902 July 25
Correspondence from John Rollin Marsh to Susie Marsh, 1899 Aug. 12
Correspondence from Lida Ryan to Mildred Marsh, 1893 July
Correspondence from Mildred Marsh to Susie Marsh, 1902 Mar. 7
Correspondence from Rodney Marsh to his parents, 1918 Nov. 13
Correspondence from Rodney Marsh to Mildred Marsh, 1914 Mar. 25
Envelopes, undated
Family history, undated
Invitation, calling cards, undated
John Marsh documents, 1886-1887
John Rollin Marsh documents, 1887-1889
Legal documents, undated
Photocopies of photographs, undated
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2
11
2
12
2
13
2
14
2
15
2
16
2
17
2
18
2
19
2
20
2
21
2
22
2
23
2
24
Marsh and Ryan family papers MSS.133
Series 2: Marsh and Ryan family oversize material, 1888
Postcards, undated
Publication, Lady's Wreath, 1843
Publication, Story of the Life and Character of Lida A. Ryan, 1902
Receipts, 1870-1884
Report card of Mildred Marsh, 1903 Jan. 30
"To Mildred on her first brithday," poem by Lida Ryan, 1891
Warranty, piano forte, 1882
Wedding invitations, 1883, 1893, 1899, 1903
Will excerpts, 1879
2
25
2
26
2
27
2
28
2
29
2
30
2
31
2
32
2
33
Box
Folder
OVA
OVA.043
OVA.043 Series 2: Marsh and Ryan family oversize material, 1888
Susan Marsh Ryan correspondence, 1888
Box 13
P.021 Series 3: Marsh and Ryan family photographs, 1860-1980
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