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| 1939 Palm Card from the Chicago Primary Election |
As we are in the midst of a historical 2016 presidential primary election, I am reminded that my father (Philip E. Ryan) was encouraged to run for alderman in 1939. While he did not win the primary, I was told that his mother (Anne Sexton Ryan) was responsible for his campaign slogan: "Endorsed By The People Not The Party Boss". Perhaps one of my first cousins recalls the story behind his decision to run for office and the campaign slogan? If only I had asked my Uncle Frank what it was like to manage my dad's campaign. However, I did not know of this fact until after my Uncle Frank passed away and an article about him was publish in the Chicago Sun-Times.
On May 25, 1992, Steve Neal, Chicago Sun-Times political editor wrote a commentary entitled: "Colorful Chicagoan knew his territory" shortly after Frank Ryan had passed away. Neal writes: "Next to football, politics was Ryan's favorite sport. He grew up in a Democratic family and managed the campaign of his brother (Phil) for alderman in a South Side ward in the 1940's. Though his brother lost, Toots Ryan remained politically active. He was among the few Irish Democrats locally to support Richard M. Nixon over John F. Kennedy in 1960. Ryan noted that Mrs. Nixon's name was Patricia Ryan, which Ryan thought was a good reason to support Nixon."
The last paragraph of Neal's commentary he writes: "Ryan took an active role in his nephew Michael F. Sheahan's 1990 campaign for sheriff of Cook County. He phoned the political office daily, offering advice on strategy. Ryan was also among his nephew's top fund-raisers. Few people knew the territory better than Frank Ryan."
As I tried to dig up more details about the 1939 primary in Chicago, I discovered that Roy E. Olin ran on the Republican ticket and won, he then served four terms as Alderman in the 8th Ward. Mr. Olin died at age 91 years on January 17, 1990.
So, while my father did not win the primary in 1939, the following year he certainly was a winner when it came to a great marital match! He married my mother, Mary Elizabeth McDonald on November 21, 1940 and became a successful personal injury attorney. The summary of his career is taken from his obituary: Philip E. Ryan (May 26, 1913 - September 21, 1970) was a member of Illinois State Bar Assoc.; Chicago Bar Assoc.; American Bar Assoc.; Society of Trial Lawyers; Trial Lawyers Club of Chicago and Catholic Lawyers Guild. A founder of the Celtic Legal Society. A partner in the firm Halfpenny, Hahn and Ryan.
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| Francis E. Ryan aka "Toots" (1916-1992) |
On May 25, 1992, Steve Neal, Chicago Sun-Times political editor wrote a commentary entitled: "Colorful Chicagoan knew his territory" shortly after Frank Ryan had passed away. Neal writes: "Next to football, politics was Ryan's favorite sport. He grew up in a Democratic family and managed the campaign of his brother (Phil) for alderman in a South Side ward in the 1940's. Though his brother lost, Toots Ryan remained politically active. He was among the few Irish Democrats locally to support Richard M. Nixon over John F. Kennedy in 1960. Ryan noted that Mrs. Nixon's name was Patricia Ryan, which Ryan thought was a good reason to support Nixon."
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| Michael F. Sheahan 19th Ward Alderman (1979-1990) 51st Sheriff of Cook County (1990-2006) |
The last paragraph of Neal's commentary he writes: "Ryan took an active role in his nephew Michael F. Sheahan's 1990 campaign for sheriff of Cook County. He phoned the political office daily, offering advice on strategy. Ryan was also among his nephew's top fund-raisers. Few people knew the territory better than Frank Ryan."
As I tried to dig up more details about the 1939 primary in Chicago, I discovered that Roy E. Olin ran on the Republican ticket and won, he then served four terms as Alderman in the 8th Ward. Mr. Olin died at age 91 years on January 17, 1990.
So, while my father did not win the primary in 1939, the following year he certainly was a winner when it came to a great marital match! He married my mother, Mary Elizabeth McDonald on November 21, 1940 and became a successful personal injury attorney. The summary of his career is taken from his obituary: Philip E. Ryan (May 26, 1913 - September 21, 1970) was a member of Illinois State Bar Assoc.; Chicago Bar Assoc.; American Bar Assoc.; Society of Trial Lawyers; Trial Lawyers Club of Chicago and Catholic Lawyers Guild. A founder of the Celtic Legal Society. A partner in the firm Halfpenny, Hahn and Ryan.
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