James Ryan (Wisconsin politician)

Ryan was born on March 24, 1830, at Fort Howard, on the Bay of Green Bay. At the time of his birth, this was unorganized land in Brown County, Michigan Territory, and Ryan was one of the first American children born in what would become the state of Wisconsin.[1] His parents had arrived there from New York in 1826, just a few months after the completion of the Erie Canal, which facilitated migration to the western territories.

Ryan received a common school education, and learned the printing trade.[2] In 1854, he moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, to work with his older brother Samuel on his newspaper, the Appleton Crescent. The brothers would work together on the newspaper for the rest of their lives, the paper they created still exists today as The Post-Crescent.[1]

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Ryan volunteered for service, but was refused, failing the physical examination.[1]

In Appleton, he was chief of the volunteer fire department, served on the city council, and was appointed city treasurer. He was elected without opposition to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1875, representing the 22nd State Senate district—Calumet County and the southern half Outagamie County.[1][2] He was not a candidate for re-election in 1877. In the Senate he served on the Committee on Incorporations and Public Improvements.[2] After leaving the Senate, he was elected Mayor of Appleton, serving from April 1878 through April 1879.[1]

In 1886, he was appointed postmaster at Appleton by President Grover Cleveland, ultimately serving four years.[1]

He died at his home in Appleton in 1913, and was interred at Appleton's Riverside Cemetery.[1]

James Ryan was one of eight children born to Samuel Ryan, Sr., and Martha (née Johnston). His father was born in Ireland and was impressed into service in the Royal Navy. He was sent to America to fight during the War of 1812 but defected to the American side. He subsequently fought for the American army at Plattsburg and Lundy's Lane.[3] After coming to Green Bay, Sam Ryan served as quartermaster at Fort Howard and was named a colonel of one of the first two militia regiments in the Wisconsin Territory.[1]

James married twice. He had four children with Mary L. Griffis, who he married in September 1858. After her death in 1874, he subsequently married Mrs. Caroline Studley (née Heath) in 1885. She died in 1906. At the time of his death, all four of Ryan's children were still living, as well as three grandchildren.[1]

• James Ryan at Find a Grave