WI BIO - Dane Co - BRYANT, George E. 
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II, pp 535-536

George E. BRYANT, Postmaster of Madison, Dane County, WI, was born in 
Templeton, Worcester County, MA, 11 Feb 1832, a son of George Washington and 
Unis (NORCASS) BRYANT, the former a native of Templeton, and the latter of 
NH. The father was born in the same house as our subject, and the old 
homestead still stands, in a perfect state of preservation, and occupied by a 
relative of the family. George W. BRYANT, a merchant by occupation, died in 
1862, and his wife in 1859. They were the parents of nine children, four 
boys and five girls. The grandfather of our subject participated in the 
battles of Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill, and his brother, Chandler, was 
a Captain in the army.

George E. BRYANT spent his early life on [p 535] the farm, and first attended 
the common schools. He then entered the Black River Academy, at Ludlow, VT, 
and next the University of WI, graduating at the latter institution in 1853. 
After completing his education he taught school in VT and NH, and then read 
law in MA. In 1856 Mr. BRYANT came to Madison, WI, where he immediately 
began the practice of law. At the breaking out of the Civil War he was 
elected Captain of Company E, known as the Madison Guards, and was the first 
volunteer officer in the State, and his company was the first to be accepted 
by the Government. After three months of service Mr. BRYANT was made Colonel 
of the 12th WI Regiment, in the Army of TN, where he remained until in Nov 
1864. In the spring of 1865 he was elected County Judge of Dane County, 
which office he held 12 years; served five years as Secretary of the State 
Agricultural Society; four years as Postmaster, under President ARTHUR; was 
Quartermaster General six years, under Governors LUDDINGTON and SMITH; State 
Secretary two years; was Alderman of Madison at the commencement of the late 
war; and in 1890 was again appointed Postmaster, by President HARRISON. Mr. 
BRYANT is a Republican in his political views, and served as one of the 
delegates to the Republican National Convention for the nomination of GRANT.

George E. BRYANT was married in 1858 with Susie A. GIBSON, a native of 
Pittsfield, [Berkshire County], MA, and a daughter of Arington GIBSON, who 
was also born at that place. To this union have been born three children: 
Hatttie E., Gee E., and George H.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly