Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Martin Ryerson, carpenter and farmer, section 14, Hopkins Township, is a son of David and Esther (Burr) Ryerson, who were natives respectively of New Jersey and New York State. They married and settled in that State and lived there, where he was engaged in farming, till their death. They had a family of seven children, namely: Martin, Harriet, Lilah, John, Mary, George and Sarah.

The subject of this sketch was born in New Jersey, Sept. 28, 1824. He received a common-school education, and at the age of 16 was apprenticed for four years, at ten cents per day, to learn the carpenter’s trade, which vocation he has followed mostly up to the present time. In the spring of 1850 he came to Whiteside County and engaged in carpentering, and soon afterward bought 80 acres of land on section 14, on which he has erected fine buildings. He owns 125 acres of land in Hopkins Township, 120 acres of which is tillable.

He was married in Sterling to Margaret Johnson, daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Truax) Johnson, who were natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Mrs. R. was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. R. are the parents of four children,--Sarah, Esther, Martin J. and John. John is deceased and Esther is now the wife of Pardon Angel and resides in Como.

Mr. Ryerson has been Overseer of Highways. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is identified with the Republican party.