>From Biographies of Pawtucket R. I. and Central Falls R. I. & vicinity by Robert Grieve (1897) p. 426: RYAN, John M., the son of Michael and Catherine (Harding) Ryan, was born in Grantstown, County Tipperary, Ireland, June 24, 1834. He landed in New York city, May 21, 1850, and with the exception of a short residence in the state of New York has since resided in Rhode Island. In 1862 he engaged in the dry goods and grocery trade at Lonsdale, R. I. In 1866 he bought the Amos Ballou farm at Ashton, in the town of Cumberland, and in 1867 removed his residence from Lonsdale to that place, which he has since made his home. In 1867 he sold out his Lonsdale business and built a large and commodious store at Ashton, where he now carries on an extensive general store. In 1883 he built the new store which he now occupies. Mr. Ryan's education was obtained in private and public schools in Ireland. In religion he is a Roman Catholic. He has been trustee of St. Joseph's Catholic church for 15 years and gave the land upon which the church edifice stands. He owns a large amount of real estate. Mr. Ryan is a Democrat, and has taken a leading part in Cumberland town politics. He was elected a member of the town council in 1887, 1888, 1890 and 1891, and was trustee of Ashton public school in 1885 and again in 1889. He represented the town of Cumberland as state senator in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1893 and 1894. In 1854 he was married to Mary Finn, and they have had six children, four of whom are living: Michael (deceased), John P. (deceased), Katie, Elizabeth, Minnie, and Josie. illustration on page 426: photo, John M. Ryan, State Senator from Cumberland, 1893-4.