William Prentice Ryan was one of the large land owners and farmers of Shelby county, with residence and farm at Maylene. He was born where he resided, Nov. 10, 1848. He was the son of Richard and Mary (McKinnis) Ryan and was of Irish descent. His father was a Georgian by birth, born in Macon county, but removed to Alabama in 1823. He and his wife resided in Shelby county until their death, the father dying in 1888, the mother in 1861. The father was a Whig in politics and a farmer by occupation. There were two sons and six daughters in their family, four of the children surviving their parents.
William P. was reared to farm work and given a good common school education. He passed his entire life on the old homestead, which he later owned. He was popular throughout his section of the county, though he lived a rather quiet and retired life.
He never married, but lived alone, busy with the cares of his plantation. In religious faith he was a Baptist. Politically he favored the Republican party in national elections, and voted with the Populists in local affairs. William Prentice Ryan died in1922 at the age of seventy-seven. He is buried in the Ryan Cemetery, Ryan, Shelby County, Alabama.
SOURCES
Notable Men of Alabama: Personal and Genealogical, Volume 1 edited by Joel Campbell DuBose 1904 p. 454
Find A Grave Memorial # 109941744 # 109941372 # 109939130 # 109939280 # 108596934
