James W. Ryan

James Wilfrid Ryan was an American lawyer and politician who served one-term as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1899 to 1901.

Life and career

James W. Ryan was born in Norwegian Township, Pennsylvania. He moved to Mahanoy [City, Pennsylvania], with his parents, where he attended the public schools. He graduated from the high school of Frackville, Pennsylvania.

Early career

After this he was a school teacher for a short time. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1884 and commenced practice in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
He was elected district attorney in 1892 and served until January 1896.

Congress

Ryan was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth Congress.

Death and burial

After his time in Congress, he resumed the practice of law and died in Mahanoy City in 1907. He was buried in the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Frackville.