In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1856, Lafayette county
From History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a (1881)
JOSEPH A. RYLAND, blacksmith, Odessa. The subject of this sketch was born in Lafayette county, Mo., April 19, 1856. He is the son of John F. and Gabrielle Ryland. At the age of sixteen he learned the blacksmith trade at Lexington, this county, which occupation he has since followed with but slight intermissions. He was married in October 1876 to Miss Rebecca Beall, a native of this county, by whom he has two children, Samuel C. and Mary Bell. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Ryland moved to Odessa and engaged in his trade. In March, 1881, he entered into partnership with Mr. Bumgamer, the firm being style Bumgarner & Ryland. Mr. R. is a man of energy and enterprise, skilled in his occupation, and not only possesses the confidence of his neighbors, but their patronage as well.
As printed in History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.