John L. Ryan was the fourth of eleven children born to Thomas P. and Anna C. (Horoho) Ryan and the oldest son. He was born November 13, 1885 in LaFountaine, Indiana. He was a photographer, having graduated from Southern Photographic School in 1911. Until he retired in 1960, he was owner of Ryan's Photography Studio. He married Jeanette Maria McCormick on June 15, 1915 in Kokomo. They were married 62 years. He was also a member of Kokomo Kiwanis Club. He and Jeannette had no children.
John recalled that during World War 2, he was required by local officials to board people in his large home. He had his spiral staircase removed and a separate entry built for the upstairs. He stayed in this home until his death. It was just over a block from his sister Agnes on Sycamore Street.
He took photos of many family members and of people in Kokomo. He had expressed a desire to have all of his photographic plates destroyed at one time; however, it is fortunate that these wonderful pieces of Kokomo history were saved. Many of his photos of the City and people of Kokomo are being reprinted today by his great niece (Dan Beaver's daughter, Nancy Kennedy).
John lost his wife Jeannette on January 16, 1977. He celebrated his 100th birthday on November 13, 1885. Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune, the local newspaper, ran an entire page dedicated to 'Photographer John Ryan' on November 25, 1985. Photos of him as a young man and at 100 were featured along with photos of his studio and some of his photographs.
The following February 11, 1986, John passed away. He is buried next to Jeannette in Crown Point Cemetery in Kokomo. John lived to be 100 years, two months and 29 days old.