John Walker Ryon

John Walker Ryon was a 19th Century American lawyer, American [Civil War | Civil War] veteran, and politician who served as a Democratic member of the U.S. [House of Representatives] from Pennsylvania from 1879 to 1881.

Biography

John W. Ryon was born in Elkland, Pennsylvania on March 4, 1825. He attended the common schools, Millville Academy in Orleans County, New York, and Wellsboro Academy in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.

Lawyer

He then studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1847, and open a law practice in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
From 1850 to 1856, he was district attorney of Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

Civil War

During the American Civil War, Ryon assisted with the organization of Company A of the famous Bucktail Regiment, and was then appointed by Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin as paymaster with the rank of major in the reserve corps.

Return to legal practice

Post-war he moved to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and resumed the practice of law.

Congress

Ryon was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth Congress. He served as president of the Pennsylvania National Bank for several years.

Death and burial

Ryon died in Pottsville on March 12, 1901, and was interred in St. Patrick's Cemetery.