Born in Coshocton county, Ohio, December 11, 1825. At age fourteen he removed with his family to Georgetown, Illinois where he worked on the farm. He was educated in the common schools in his local area near Georgetown. He studied medicine and law and graduated from Wabash Medical College in 1848. He began practicing medicine in Darwin, Illinois, and continued there until he moved to Indianola, Iowa in 1850. Colonel Bryan was a member of tire state legislature while the state capital was still at Iowa City. He was in the house of representatives during the Fourth and Fifth general assemblies, 1852-54. He was district attorney of Warren, Madison, and Marion counties. In 1875, he moved to Des Moines and engaged in the practice of law. In the early 80's he was city solicitor for Des Moines. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Born in Coshocton county, Ohio, December 11, 1825. At age fourteen he removed with his family to Georgetown, Illinois where he worked on the farm. He was educated in the common schools in his local area near Georgetown. He studied medicine and law and graduated from Wabash Medical College in 1848. He began practicing medicine in Darwin, Illinois, and continued there until he moved to Indianola, Iowa in 1850. Colonel Bryan was a member of tire state legislature while the state capital was still at Iowa City. He was in the house of representatives during the Fourth and Fifth general assemblies, 1852-54. He was district attorney of Warren, Madison, and Marion counties. In 1875, he moved to Des Moines and engaged in the practice of law. In the early 80's he was city solicitor for Des Moines. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.