Hon. Michael Ryan, Rapides Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Source: Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p.497 . Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892. Hon. Michael Ryan, retired attorney, of Alexandria, La. For many years, or since locating in this parish, Mr. Ryan has enjoyed the reputation of being not only a substantial and progressive citizen, but is an intelligent and thoroughly posted man in all public affairs. He has always been noted for honesty and uprightness of character. He was born in Durrow, Kings county, Ireland, in December, 1812, to James and Catherine (Moore) Ryan, both families having long been well known near the town of Tollamore. Some members of the family of Ryan became noted divines, and were men of marked ability and long-lived. In 1839 Michael Ryan emigrated, in search of a fortune, to the new world, and as he had received a fine classical education in his native land he soon secured the position of professor of Latin in the Spring Hill college of Rapides parish at the same time teaching and reading law, and before he had been a year in the parish he was admitted to the bar and began practicing, a calling he followed with the best success for many years, occupying a front rank in his profession. His success in life at the bar has been attained rather by the force of native talent and culture than by tact, and his style, both in speaking and writing, is forcible, smooth and convincing. He has always been a democrat, active in local and state politics, and in 1851, on the earnest solicitation of his many friends, he was elected to the state legislature and served two sessions. In 1854 he was elected to the senate, serving four years, and during this time was on the judiciary committee as chairman, holding this position the last two years. His reputation as a pure and intelligent legislator is the very best. He was married in this parish to Miss Maria C. Crain, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Bailey Crain, of Fauquier county. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have had four children born to them, two of whom are living: John C. (an honored member of the Alexandria, La., bar) and Kate (wife of Dr. J. W. Thompson, of Opelousas). Mr. Ryan has always given close attention to his business, is laborious in research, and has never permitted the interests of his clients to suffer. He was always thoroughly prepared in his cases, and rarely taken by surprise, and had the unbounded confidence of his clients. During his long years of practice he assisted many young men to a thorough legal knowledge. He was elected judge of his district, but resigned the, position to accept a congressional nomination.