Ryerson, Joseph Turner, 1813-1839.

The history of the Ryerson family in Chicago began when twenty-nine year old Joseph Turner Ryerson (1813-1883) arrived in the city on November 1, 1842. The youngest of ten children, Joseph Ryerson had been educated at the Quaker Classical and Mathematical Schools in Philadelphia. At the age of seventeen he took a position as a clerk in a business firm and his training in business continued until he decided to go west in 1842. His first Chicago venture was a joint one with the son of an old Philadelphia acquaintance, but Joseph soon bought out his partner, and the hardware firm of "Blaikie & Ryerson" became "J. T. Ryerson." Joseph married Ellen Larned in 1848 and his business prospered until his warehouse and stores, as well as all his family's personal property, were destroyed in the 1871 Chicago Fire. In the post-fire years, he reestablished his business with considerable success. He also devoted himself to recording the history of his family, particularly the life of his father, Thomas Ryerson (1754-1832), whose memoirs had been destroyed in the fire. Thomas Ryerson had fought in the Revolutionary War, then engaged in West Indian trade, initiated the settlement of Western Pennsylvania under the auspices of Robert Morris (financier and delegate to the Constitutional Convention) and established a successful hardware business in Philadelphia.

Edward L. Ryerson, Sr. (1854-1928) was the youngest son of Joseph and Ellen Ryerson. He was educated in Chicago and at Yale University. In 1876, immediately after graduation, Edward joined the family firm, henceforth known as "J. T. Ryerson & Son, Iron Merchants and Special Agents." Since his brother Arthur had chosen law as his profession, Edward assumed primary responsibility for the growth of the family business after his father's death. In 1879 Edward married Mary Pringle Mitchell, daughter of Donald Grant Mitchell (1822-1908) the noted New England essayist and lecturer who wrote under the name of "Ik Marvel." Edward Ryerson continued his father's interest in family history and was prominent in a number of civic organizations. He died in 1928.

Edward Ryerson, Jr. (1886-1971) was born in Chicago, and educated at the Hill School and at Yale University where he studied mechanical engineering. His marriage to Nora Butler took place in 1914. During World War I he served in the Signal Corps with the rank of Captain. He had entered the family firm in 1909 and, upon the death of his father in 1928, he and his brothers Joseph and Donald assumed the leadership of J. T. Ryerson & Son, Inc. In 1935 the business merged with the Inland Steel Corporation.

Although he derived satisfaction from his business activities, Edward Ryerson, Jr. took an equal interest in public affairs and at one time considered adopting the latter as his career. In fact, he actively pursued both civic and business obligations until his retirement allowed him to devote the major portion of his time to the former. During the Depression he was appointed chairman of the first Illinois Public Aid Commission, and was for many years actively involved with the Welfare Council of Chicago. He served on the governing boards of The University of Chicago, the Chicago Historical Society, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestral Association.

Edward Ryerson, Jr. retired from business in 1952, but remained active in public affairs. He was one of the founders of Chicago's national educational television stations, WTTW, in 1953. That same year he was elected chairman of the Board of Trustees of The University of Chicago, where he had been a member since 1923; he held this position until 1956. During his tenure as chairman the University held its crucial Development Campaign of 1955-56.

Long active in Republican politics, Edward Ryerson, Jr. was appointed by President Eisenhower to the President's Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities. In 1958 he led a delegation of steel industry executives on a tour of the steel industry in the U.S.S.R. sponsored by the American Iron and Steel Institute. His interest in the growth of the steel industry in America was expressed in his support for projects to preserve historic sites connected with the development of that industry, principally the first iron works that had been established in this country at Saugus, Massachusetts, and Ringwood Manor in New Jersey.

Carrying on the family tradition, he wrote his autobiography, The Ryerson Chronicle 1886-1964. He was the recipient of numerous honorary degrees from institutions, which included Yale University and The University of Chicago, and Inland Steel named one of its ore vessels, "S.S. Edward Ryerson." He died in 1971.

From the guide to the Ryerson Family. Papers, 1803-1971, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)