James Ryan

James Ryan (June 17, 1848 – July 2, 1923) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Alton in Illinois from 1888 until his death in 1923. Biography Early life James Ryan was born on June 17, 1848, in Thurles, County Tipperary in Ireland. When he was age seven, the family immigrated to the United States, settling in Louisville, Kentucky. He studied at St. Thomas' and St. Joseph's Colleges in Bardstown, Kentucky, and at Preston Park Seminary in Louisville. Priesthood Ryan was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William George McCloskey for what was then the Diocese of Louisville on December 24, 1871. After his ordination, Ryan spent several years afterwards spent a few years as a missionary and teacher