Businessman. He is considered the “Father of the Silk Industry” in Paterson, New Jersey, which in 1870 produced close to half of all the silk made in the United States. As a young man he worked in different aspects of the silk industry, starting at age five as a bobbin boy. At twenty-two he emigrated to New York, and settled in Paterson, New Jersey in 1839. In 1842 he set up a battery of silk looms and he produced the first skein of silk in the United States. By 1846 Paterson became known as “The Silk City.” In 1861 he successfully fought for laws to restrict British silk imports, which had a devastating effect on the people who produced silk in his native England. Many people who came from the same section of England as John Ryle emigrated to Paterson and worked in the silk industry. Later on, founder and first President of the Passaic Water Company in Paterson, New Jersey in 1870. With the fortunes he made in the silk manufacturing business, he personally paid for all the sewer lines to be laid throughout the city of Paterson during that time period so residents of Paterson could have running water into their homes. John Ryle was also responsible for designing and paying for the first public park to be established at the Passaic Falls. Ryle also designed the Coat of Arms for the city of Paterson, and later served as Mayor of the city from 1869-1870.
Businessman. He is considered the “Father of the Silk Industry” in Paterson, New Jersey, which in 1870 produced close to half of all the silk made in the United States. As a young man he worked in different aspects of the silk industry, starting at age five as a bobbin boy. At twenty-two he emigrated to New York, and settled in Paterson, New Jersey in 1839. In 1842 he set up a battery of silk looms and he produced the first skein of silk in the United States. By 1846 Paterson became known as “The Silk City.” In 1861 he successfully fought for laws to restrict British silk imports, which had a devastating effect on the people who produced silk in his native England. Many people who came from the same section of England as John Ryle emigrated to Paterson and worked in the silk industry. Later on, founder and first President of the Passaic Water Company in Paterson, New Jersey in 1870. With the fortunes he made in the silk manufacturing business, he personally paid for all the sewer lines to be laid throughout the city of Paterson during that time period so residents of Paterson could have running water into their homes. John Ryle was also responsible for designing and paying for the first public park to be established at the Passaic Falls. Ryle also designed the Coat of Arms for the city of Paterson, and later served as Mayor of the city from 1869-1870.
Bio by: Rich H.
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
