Charles W. Bryan

Charles W. Bryan
30th Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska
In office
1935–1937
Preceded by Fenton B. Fleming
Succeeded by Oren S. Copeland
23rd Governor of Nebraska
In office
January 8, 1931  January 3, 1935
Lieutenant Theodore Metcalfe
Walter H. Jurgensen
Preceded by Arthur J. Weaver
Succeeded by Robert Leroy Cochran
20th Governor of Nebraska
In office
January 3, 1923  January 8, 1925
Lieutenant Fred G. Johnson
Preceded by Samuel R. McKelvie
Succeeded by Adam McMullen
23rd Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska
In office
1915–1917
Preceded by Frank Connell Zehrung
Succeeded by John Eschelman Miller
Personal details
Born February 10, 1867
Salem, Illinois
Died March 4, 1945 (aged 78)
Lincoln, Nebraska
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Elizabeth Louise Brokaw
Alma mater Illinois College
Religion Baptist

Charles Wayland Bryan (February 10, 1867 – March 4, 1945) was an American politician who served non-consecutive terms as Governor of Nebraska and Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska, and was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 1924. He was the younger brother of Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, who was the Democratic nominee for President in 1896, 1900, and 1908. The Bryans are the only brothers who have been nominated for President or Vice President by a major political party.

Born in 1867 in Salem, Illinois, Bryan attended both the University of Chicago and Illinois College in Jacksonville. He married Elizabeth Louise Brokaw on November 29, 1892.[1] They had three children.

Career

Moving to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1889, Bryan worked as a tobacco broker and an insurance salesman. He also farmed and raised purebred livestock. He was business manager and political secretary for his brother, William Jennings Bryan until William's death in 1925. From 1901 to 1923, he was publisher and associate editor of the "Commoner". Elected to the Lincoln City Commission in 1915 and 1921, he also served as mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska from 1915 to 1917 (again from 1931 to 1935).[2]

Bryan was elected the 20th and 23rd Governor of Nebraska from 1923 to 1925 and again from 1931 to 1935. He was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1926, 1928, and 1938. During his tenure, the state's economy flourished, state spending was limited, and taxes were reduced.[3]

Bryan was also notable as the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 1924, where he was picked largely because of his name to serve as running mate to conservative easterner John W. Davis. The ticket was overwhelmingly defeated by Republican incumbent Calvin Coolidge and his running mate Charles G. Dawes.

Charles W. and William J. Bryan

Death

Bryan died in 1945 in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is interred at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln.[4]

References

  1. "Charles W. Bryan". Find A Grave. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  2. Charles W. Bryan. Encyclopedia of Nebraska. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  3. "Charles W. Bryan". National Governors Association. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  4. "Charles W. Bryan". Find A Grave. Retrieved 24 September 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charles W. Bryan.


Political offices
Preceded by
Frank Connell Zehrung
Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska
19151917
Succeeded by
John Eschelman Miller
Preceded by
Samuel R. McKelvie
Governor of Nebraska
19231925
Succeeded by
Adam McMullen
Preceded by
Arthur J. Weaver
Governor of Nebraska
19311935
Succeeded by
Robert Leroy Cochran
Preceded by
Fenton B. Fleming
Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska
19351937
Succeeded by
Oren Sturmon Copeland
Party political offices
Preceded by
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Democratic vice presidential nominee
1924
Succeeded by
Joseph T. Robinson