One of the well-known merchants of North Kingstown, Wickford, Rhode Island, is Edwin J. Ryan, who conducts a large grocery store and market which is one of the oldest and most important of the independent establishments in the town.
Edwin J. Ryan was born in Belleville Village, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, October 17, 1885, son of Michael James and Mary T. (Cassidy) Ryan. The father, born in Tipperary, Ireland, was engaged in the textile industry until he established his grocery store and market, which he conducted until his death in 1915. The mother was born in Hamilton, Rhode Island. The son was educated in the public and high schools of North Kingstown and rounded out his education with a course at Bryant and Stratton’s Business College. He then began working for his father in the store and continued there until 1915, when, with his father’s death, he succeeded to the ownership and management. The store has a fine reputation and caters to the most exclusive and important trade in the neighborhood.
In politics, Mr. Ryan is an independent, giving his vote for the right man and the right measure regardless of politics. His club is the Annaquatucket Country Club. He attends St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church, and finds relaxation in golf and hunting.
Edwin J. Ryan married, in 1921, Hope Rodman, born in Lafayette Village, North Kingstown. Children: Paul, David, Edward, James, and Joseph.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.