William Ryan (53rd Congress)

William Ryan (March 8, 1840 – February 18, 1925) was a banker and businessman who served as a U.S. Representative from New York.

William Ryan
William Ryan (1840-1925), U.S. Congressman from New York
Member of the New York State Assembly for Westchester County, 2nd District
In office 1891–1892
Preceded by	Bradford Rhodes
Succeeded by	Alfred Hennen Morris
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 16th district
In office March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1895
Preceded by	John H. Ketcham
Succeeded by	Benjamin L. Fairchild
Personal details
Born	March 8, 1840 County Tipperary, Ireland, U.K.
Died	February 18, 1925 (aged 84) Crescent City, Florida, U.S.
Resting place	St. Mary's Cemetery, Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Democratic

Biography

Born in County Tipperary in Ireland (then a part of the U.K.) on March 8, 1840, Ryan immigrated to the United States with his parents, who settled in Stanwich (now Greenwich, Connecticut) in 1844. He attended the local schools, worked on farms near Greenwich and taught school. In the spring of 1859, he went to the Rocky Mountains and engaged in prospecting and mining until 1861, when he settled in Port Chester, New York. Ryan was a successful farmer, merchant and banker.[1][2]

Political career

A Democrat, he served in local office including school board member.[3] He was Town Supervisor of Rye from 1883 to 1885.[4] In 1886, he was appointed Undersheriff of Westchester County and he served until 1889.[5][6] He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Westchester Co., 2nd D.) in 1891 and 1892.[7][8]

Ryan was elected to the 53rd Congress, serving from March 4, 1893, to March 3, 1895.[9]

Later career

Ryan resumed his business interests after leaving Congress, including serving as President of the Port Chester Savings Bank and operating a Florida ranch that produced oranges.[10] He also served as President of the Village of Port Chester.[11][12][13]

Death and burial

Ryan's gravesite in Saint Mary's Cemetery

Ryan died in Crescent City, Florida on February 18, 1925.[14] He was interred in St. Mary's Cemetery in Greenwich.[15]

References

1. James Hilton Manning, Century of American Savings Banks, 1917, page 219
2. New York Times, The Argus Almanac: A Political and Financial Annual, 1890, page 138
3. John Thomas Scharf, History of Westchester County: New York, Volume 2, 1886, pages 708-709
4. Westchester County Board of Legislators, Proceedings of the County Board of Legislators of Westchester County, N.Y., 1895, page 662
5. John Thomas Scharf, editor, History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 1, 1886, page 656
6. Henry Townsend Smith, compiler, Manual of Westchester County, Past and Present: Civil List to Date, 1898, page 109
7. New York State Legislative Bill Drafting Commission, Laws of the State of New York, 1891, page viii
8. William Richard Cutter, American Biography: A New Cyclopedia, Volume 22, 1925, page 327
9. United States Congress, A Biographical Congressional Directory, 1913, page 349
10. New York State Legislature, Legislative Documents, Volume 2, 1921, page 306
11. Port Chester Journal, De Witt H. Lyon New President, February 9, 1909
12. James Hilton Manning, Century of American Savings Banks, page 219
13. Port Chester Journal, Hon. William Ryan, January 1913
14. St. Petersburg Independent, Crescent City Visitor Dyes: Eyan, 85, Former Congressman from new York is Dead, February 19, 1925
15. Thomas E. Spencer, Where They're Buried, 1998, page 250

External links

• United States Congress. "William Ryan (id: R000561)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• William Ryan at Find a Grave