Donald Patrick Ryan (February 5, 1909 – September 26, 1995) was an American Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for two terms, representing the west side of the city of Milwaukee from 1935 to 1939. He was one of the youngest state legislators in Wisconsin history, at just 24 years and 336 days old when first sworn in.
Donald P. Ryan | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 8th district | |
| In office January 7, 1935 – January 2, 1939 | |
| Preceded by | James W. Higgins |
| Succeeded by | Charles H. Judd |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 5, 1909 Mazomanie, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | September 26, 1995 (aged 86) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Cecilia Mathilda Koering
(m. 1936–1995) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Wisconsin National Guard |
| Unit | 105th Reg. U.S. Cavalry |
Biography
editDonald P. Ryan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 5, 1909, in an Irish Catholic family. He lived nearly his entire life in Milwaukee, attending St. Rose's Catholic School and then graduating from Saint Johns Cathedral High School in 1927. He worked as a fireman on the Milwaukee Railroad and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers labor union. He also served three years in the Wisconsin National Guard after graduating from high school.[1]
He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly from Milwaukee County's 8th Assembly district in 1934 and re-elected in 1936. He served in the 1935–1936 and 1937–1938 sessions. At the time, he was the youngest member of the Legislature, being not quite 26 years old at the time of his inauguration.[1] He sought a third term in 1938 but was defeated in a primary challenge by Robert S. McCormack, who was defeated in the general election by Charles H. Judd.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G., eds. (1935). "Members of the Legislature". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1935 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. p. 221. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G., eds. (1940). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1940 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 551, 619. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
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