James A. Ryan

James Augustine Ryan (October 22, 1867 – January 14, 1956) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the American Indian Wars, Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, Pancho Villa Expedition, and World War I, he attained the rank of brigadier general. During the First World War, Ryan commanded 1st Brigade, 15th Cavalry Division at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and 17th Brigade, 9th Division at Camp Sheridan, Alabama, in addition to acting as the 9th Division commander on several occasions.

A native of Danbury, Connecticut, Ryan graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1890 and was commissioned in the Cavalry. He served in the western states during the American Indian Wars and took part in the Yukon Relief Mission 1897–1898. He commanded a Cavalry troop in the Spanish–American War, and took part in the Siege of Santiago. Ryan went on to serve in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War. As he advanced through the ranks, subsequent assignments included member of the West Point faculty.

At the start of World War I, Ryan was in charge of the U.S. commission that evacuated U.S. citizens from Germany and Austria. During the war, he commanded 1st Brigade, 15th Cavalry Division and 17th Brigade, 9th Division during their organization and training in the United States.

Ryan retired from the army in 1920 and pursued a long career as a Chicago-based business executive. After retiring from business in 1942, he resided in St. Petersburg, Florida. He died in St. Petersburg on January 14, 1956. Ryan was buried at West Point Cemetery in West Point, New York.

Early life James Augustine Ryan was born in Danbury, Connecticut on October 22, 1867, a son of James Ryan and Hannah (Doran) Ryan, immigrants from County Leitrim, Ireland. He was educated at the Liberty Street School in Danbury and graduated from Danbury High School in 1884. In June 1885, Ryan competed for an appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point). He attained the examining board's top score and was appointed by U.S. Representative Edward W. Seymour in July. Among his classmates who also became general officers were Edgar Jadwin, Charles Keller, Herbert Deakyne, Colden Ruggles, William O. Johnson, Henry D. Todd Jr., Clint Calvin Hearn, William Church Davis, James R. Lindsay, Francis Cutler Marshall, Frank G. Mauldin, Daniel Warren Ketcham, William S. McNair, William J. Snow, George G. Gatley, Fred Winchester Sladen, Harry Hill Bandholtz, Frank Merrill Caldwell, Henry G. Learnard, James Joseph Hornbrook, Peter Murray, George Davis Moore, and Vernon A. Caldwell.

At graduation, Ryan was commissioned a second lieutenant of Cavalry. During this posting, Ryan participated in the Apache Wars, including skirmishes against warriors led by the Apache Kid.

Early career From May 1892 to until October 1895, Ryan served with the 10th Cavalry at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Continued career In August 1900, Ryan began a tour of duty in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War. Ryan was court-martialed and admitted the facts of the allegations against him. While in Mexico, Ryan assisted in negotiating the Bucareli Treaty, which settled claims by U.S. corporations for losses they sustained during the Mexican Revolution.

Ryan's later endeavors included a close association with Samuel Insull, and among them were vice president and general manager of the Utility Securities Corporation and vice president and general manager of the Middle Creek Railway Company.

In the 1920s and 1930s, he was president of the Public Health Institute of Chicago, a privately funded enterprise that worked to eliminate sexually transmitted infections among Chicago's poor and working classes.

Ryan retired in 1942.

Awards Ryan's awards included: They divorced in 1935, and were the parents of a son, Reginald Tarrant Ryan.