newspaperman, businessman, politician, b. Sackets Harbor, N.Y. He moved with his parents to Wisconsin in 1826, settling in Green Bay, where he learned the printer's trade, and served in editorial capacities with various newspaper ventures, including the Green Bay Spectator, and the Green Bay Wisconsin Republican, published at Green Bay (1844-1847) and at Fond du Lac (1847-1851) where it was restyled Fountain City (1850-1851). In 1853 Ryan established the Appleton Crescent, and was editor and publisher of that newspaper from 1853 until his death. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the 3rd Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry (Feb. 1862), serving in Co. I, and as sergeant of Co. II (Feb.-Dec. 1862). After leaving the service, he returned to Appleton. Originally a Whig and later a member of the Democratic party, Ryan held various local political offices, including those of state assemblyman (1865) and judge of Outagamie County (1865-1873). He also served for a time as consul to St. Johns, Newfoundland. He was also active in several Appleton business enterprises, including the Appleton Gas Light Co., the Appleton Paper Co., and the Appleton City Railway Co. W. A. Goodspeed, et al., Hist. of Outagamie Co. (Chicago {1911]); U.S. Biog. Dict. . . . Wis. (Chicago, 1877); Appleton Crescent, Mar. 26, 1907; WPA field notes.Learn More
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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]
