Edwin E. Bryant

Edwin Eustace Bryant (January 10, 1835 – August 11, 1903) was an American lawyer, Republican politician, and Union Army officer. He was dean of the University of Wisconsin Law School, served as a private secretary to Wisconsin Governor Lucius Fairchild, and was appointed an assistant attorney general for the United States Postal Service by President Grover Cleveland.

Early life

Edwin Bryant was born in Milton, Vermont, in 1835. He received an academic education and attended the New Hampton Institute for two years. In 1856 he moved to Buffalo, New York, and, the following year, moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Monroe, Wisconsin, where he practiced law and became part-owner and editor of the Monroe Sentinel. In August 1863, he was with the brigade sent to quell the New York City draft riots. After re-entering federal service, Colonel Bryant was detailed from his regiment to a military commission—he worked as a judge advocate in Missouri for the next year. In May 1876, Bryant was re-appointed adjutant general of Wisconsin by Governor Harrison Ludington, and was retained in that office by Ludington's successor, William E. Smith. While serving as adjutant general, in 1877, Bryant was elected to one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly from Dane County's 2nd Assembly district (at the time this district comprised the city of Madison and southeast Dane County).

In the 1884 United States presidential election, Bryant campaigned extensively for Grover Cleveland. After his election, Cleveland appointed Bryant assistant attorney general for the United States Postal Service. His longtime friend and colleague, William F. Vilas, was appointed U.S. Postmaster General. He ultimately served in that role for the entire Cleveland administration.

Published works

Electoral history Dane County District Attorney (1874)

Wisconsin Assembly (1877)