George Washington Ryland (December 19, 1827 – July 4, 1910) was an American merchant, banker, and Republican politician.

He was employed by former Wisconsin governor Nelson Dewey to mow hay, earning a dollar a day.

In 1860, he and his brother-in-law, John Chandler Holloway, bought out a grocery business and its building and constructed a new brick store in its place.

[1] In politics, Ryland was originally a Democrat, and was appointed postmaster at Lancaster during the administration of Franklin Pierce.

[1] Also during his term as Lieutenant Governor, he became involved in the effort to organize the State Bank of Grant County, which was established in 1888 with Ryland serving as president.