George E. Bryant

For others of the same name, see George Bryant.

George E. Bryant
Portrait from the United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men; Wisconsin volume (1877)
Superintendent of Public Property of Wisconsin
In office January 4, 1901 – February 16, 1907
Governor	Robert M. La Follette James O. Davidson
Preceded by	William A. Scott
Succeeded by	Charley C. Bennett
Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
In office August 1900 – May 1904
Preceded by	Joseph B. Treat
Succeeded by	W. D. Connor
County Judge of Dane County, Wisconsin
In office January 1, 1866 – December 31, 1877
Preceded by	Thomas Hood
Succeeded by	Alden Sprague Sanborn
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 7th district
In office January 4, 1875 – January 1, 1877
Preceded by	John Anders Johnson
Succeeded by	George A. Abert
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Dane 1st district
In office January 2, 1899 – January 7, 1901
Preceded by	Daniel Bechtel
Succeeded by	E. Ray Stevens
Personal details
Born	(1832-02-11)February 11, 1832 Templeton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	February 16, 1907(1907-02-16) (aged 75) Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison, Wisconsin
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Susan A. Gibson ​ ​ (m. 1858⁠–⁠1907)​
Children	Harriet E. Bryant (b. 1859; died 1960) George E. Bryant (b. 1861; died 1941) Frank H. Bryant (b. 1866; died 1947)
Education	Norwich University
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Volunteers Union Army Wisconsin National Guard
Rank	Colonel, USV Brig. General, WNG
Commands	12th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

George Edwin Bryant (February 11, 1832 – February 16, 1907) was an American lawyer, judge, and Republican politician. He served as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War and afterwards served as a brigadier general in the Wisconsin National Guard. He also served four years in the Wisconsin Legislature, representing Dane County, and was appointed Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Property by Governor Robert M. La Follette, serving from 1901 until his death in 1907.

Biography

Bryant was born on February 11, 1832, in Templeton, Massachusetts. He attended Norwich University. At Norwich, he was a roommate of George Dewey, who went on to become Admiral of the Navy. On September 27, 1858, Bryant married Susie A. Gibson and they had three children.

Military career

Bryant was initially assigned to the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War, having previously captained the Madison Guards. Before long, he was given command of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. He served until 1864.

In 1880, Bryant became Quartermaster General of the Wisconsin National Guard.

Political career

He was elected county judge of Dane County, Wisconsin, in the Spring 1865 election, and was re-elected in 1869 and 1873, ultimately serving 12 years. While serving as judge, he was also elected to the Wisconsin State Senate from the 7th State Senate district—which then comprised the eastern half of Dane County—serving in the 1875 and 1876 sessions. In 1898, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. He was a delegate to the 1880 Republican National Convention, and was appointed postmaster of Madison from 1882 through 1886 and again from 1890 to 1894. In 1900, he was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. After the Robert M. La Follette was elected governor later that year, however, Bryant was appointed Superintendent of Public Property.

Death and burial

He died on February 16, 1907, and was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery.

External links

• The Political Graveyard