Matthew Ryan (Atlanta)

Matthew Ryan (1849 – July 18,1887) was Atlanta's first paid fire chief.

He was born in Tipperary, Ireland and came to Atlanta to work in his uncle John Ryan's dry goods shop.

He was a volunteer firefighter and opened his own store later which failed around the time the Atlanta City Council began paying the fire department in 1882, giving Chief Ryan a monthly amount of $100.

He died a widower and was buried in an unmarked grave at Oakland Cemetery.