Charles W. Bryan
Charles W. Bryan | |
|---|---|
 Bryan in 1924 | |
| 20th and 23rdGovernor of Nebraska | |
| In office January 8, 1931 – January 3, 1935 | |
| Lieutenant | Theodore Metcalfe Walter H. Jurgensen |
| Preceded by | Arthur J. Weaver |
| Succeeded by | Roy Cochran |
| In office January 3, 1923 – January 8, 1925 | |
| Lieutenant | Fred Johnson |
| Preceded by | Samuel McKelvie |
| Succeeded by | Adam McMullen |
| 23rd and 30thMayor of Lincoln | |
| In office 1935–1937 | |
| Preceded by | Fenton Fleming |
| Succeeded by | Oren S. Copeland |
| In office 1915–1917 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Zehrung |
| Succeeded by | John Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Wayland Bryan February 10, 1867 Salem, Illinois,U.S. |
| Died | March 4, 1945(aged 78) Lincoln, Nebraska,U.S. |
| Resting place | Wyuka Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Brokaw |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Silas Bryan Mariah Elizabeth Jennings |
| Relatives | William Jennings Bryan(brother) William Sherman Jennings(cousin) |
| Education | Illinois College University of Chicago |
Charles Wayland Bryan(February 10, 1867 – March 4, 1945) was an American businessman and politician who served as the 20th and 23rdGovernor of Nebraska,andMayorofLincoln, Nebraska,and was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in1924.He was the younger brother of Secretary of StateWilliam Jennings Bryan,who was the Democratic nominee for President in1896,1900,and1908.
Early life
[edit]
Charles Wayland Bryan was born inSalem, Illinoison February 10, 1867, toSilas Lillard Bryanand Mariah Elizabeth (Jennings) Bryan.[1]Silas Bryan had been born in 1822 and had established a legal practice in Salem in 1851. He married Mariah, a former student of his atMcKendree College,in 1852.[2]OfScots-Irishand English ancestry,[a]Silas Bryan was an avidJacksonian Democrat.He won election as a state circuit judge and in 1866 moved his family to a 520-acre (210.4 ha) farm north of Salem, living in a ten-room house that was the envy ofMarion County.[4]Silas served in various local positions and sought election to Congress in 1872, but was narrowly defeated by the Republican candidate.[5]An admirer ofAndrew JacksonandStephen A. Douglas,Silas passed on his Democratic affiliation to his son, William, who would remain a life-long Democrat.[6]Charles' cousin,William Sherman Jennings,[7]was also a prominent Democrat.
Charles was one of nine children of Silas and Mariah, the first three of their children died during infancy. He had four of whom lived to adulthood.[8]Silas was aBaptistand Mariah was aMethodist.
Bryan attended both theUniversity of ChicagoandIllinois Collegein Jacksonville. He married Elizabeth Louise Brokaw and they had three children. Bryan worked as a tobacco broker and insurance salesman, farmed, and raised purebred livestock.
Career
[edit]Bryan moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1889, and became business manager and political secretary for his brother, William Jennings Bryan. From 1901 to 1923, he was publisher and associate editor of his brother's newspaper,The Commoner.Elected to the Lincoln City Commission in 1915 and 1921, he also served as mayor ofLincoln, Nebraskafrom 1915 to 1917 (again from 1935 to 1937).[9]
Bryan first ran for governor in 1916,[10]though he lost in the primary toKeith Neville.[11]Bryan was elected theGovernor of Nebraskain 1922, and served from 1923 to 1925. He was the Democraticvice presidential candidatein1924,picked largely because of his name to serve as running mate to conservative easternerJohn W. Davis.The ticket was overwhelmingly defeated byRepublicanincumbentCalvin Coolidgeand his running mateCharles G. Dawes.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1926 and 1928. He won in 1930 and 1932, and served from 1931 to 1935. During his tenure, the state's economy flourished, state spending was limited, and taxes were reduced.[12]He was an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1934, governor in 1938, the U.S. House in 1940, and governor in 1942.
Death
[edit]Bryan died on March 4, 1945, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is interred there atWyuka Cemetery.
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^William Jennings Bryan[usurped]Nebraska State Historical Society
- ^Kazin (2006), pp. 4–5
- ^BryanMemoirs of William Jennings Bryan,pp. 22–26.
- ^Colletta (1964), pp. 3–5.
- ^Kazin (2006), p. 5
- ^Kazin (2006), pp. 4–5, 9
- ^"Florida International University: Reclaiming the Everglades-biography of William Sherman Jennings".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-03-03.Retrieved2022-04-15.
- ^Kazin (2006), p. 8
- ^Charles W. Bryan.Encyclopedia of Nebraska. January 1999.ISBN9780403098347.Retrieved24 September2012.
- ^Argus, Albion (March 1, 1916). "Comments on Mayor Bryan's candidacy for the Nebraska Democratic gubernatorial nomination". The Commoner. p. 7.
- ^Dunn, I.J. (April 1, 1916). "Dunn Scores Special Interests". The Commoner. p. 9.
- ^"Charles W. Bryan".National Governors Association.Retrieved24 September2012.
Bibliography
- Coletta, Paolo E. (1964).William Jennings Bryan, Vol. 1: Political Evangelist, 1860–1908.University of Nebraska Press.ISBN978-0-8032-0022-7.
- Kazin, Michael (2006).A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan.Knopf.ISBN978-0-375-41135-9.
External links
[edit]
- Charles W. BryanatFind a Grave
- Encyclopedia of Nebraska
- Charles W. Bryanat National Governors Association
| Territorial(1854–1867) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| State(since 1867) |
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Italicsindicate acting governors | ||
- 1867 births
- 1945 deaths
- 20th-century American newspaper publishers (people)
- 20th-century American politicians
- Baptists from Illinois
- William Jennings Bryan family
- Democratic Party (United States) vice presidential nominees
- Democratic Party governors of Nebraska
- Illinois College alumni
- Mayors of Lincoln, Nebraska
- People from Salem, Illinois
- Candidates in the 1924 United States presidential election
- 1924 United States vice-presidential candidates
- University of Chicago alumni