John Rylands was on board the Eastland with his parents. When the boat rolled into the Chicago River, his father James saved his young son, planning to return momentarily and rescue his wife Minnie. When James returned, however, he could not find Minnie as she had drowned.
John's father James owned a plumbing business and was a trustee for the city of Cicero. John's maternal grandmother lived at home with the Rylands.