Edward George Ryan
The Honorable Edward G. Ryan | |
|---|---|
| 5th Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court | |
| In office June 17, 1874 – October 19, 1880 | |
| Appointed by | William Robert Taylor |
| Preceded by | Luther S. Dixon |
| Succeeded by | Orsamus Cole |
| Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court | |
| In office June 17, 1874 – October 19, 1880 | |
| Appointed by | William Robert Taylor |
| Preceded by | Luther S. Dixon |
| Succeeded by | John B. Cassoday |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edward George Ryan November 13, 1810 County Meath, Ireland, UK |
| Died | October 19, 1880 (aged 69) Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Mary Graham
(m. 1842; died 1847)Caroline Willard
(m. 1850; div. 1872) |
| Children | 1 with Mary Graham 7 with Caroline Willard |
| Parents |
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| Signature | |
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Edward George Ryan (November 13, 1810 – October 19, 1880) was an Irish American immigrant, lawyer, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 5th chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court; he was initially appointed by Democratic governor William Robert Taylor in 1874 and retained office until his death in 1880. Ryan was a leading Democrat in Wisconsin during his era, and was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 1863. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, Ryan was city attorney of Milwaukee for four years.
Earlier in his career, Ryan participated in several noteworthy cases as an attorney. He served as prosecutor for the U.S. government in the fugitive slave cases against abolitionist Sherman Booth in the 1850s. He prosecuted the impeachment against Wisconsin circuit court judge Levi Hubbell in 1853, and also argued the case of Republican gubernatorial candidate Coles Bashford in his lawsuit to overturn the original results of the 1855 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.