Ryan, Elmer J., 1907-1958.

Elmer J. Ryan was born in Rosemount, Minnesota on May 26, 1907. He was the son of John O. and Agnes T. (Hyland) Ryan. He graduated from Rosemount High School, and attended the college of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) for two years. Ryan earned an LL.B. degree from the University of Minnesota law school in 1929. In September 1929 he and classmate Harold E. Stassen organized the law firm of Stassen & Ryan in South St. Paul, Minnesota. Ryan served as South St. Paul city attorney from May 1933 to December 1934.

In 1934 Ryan was elected to Congress as a Democrat from Minnesota's second district. He was re-elected in 1936 and 1938, but was defeated in his bid for a fourth term in 1940 by Republican Joseph P. O'Hara. Ryan returned to private practice in South St. Paul after leaving Congress.

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