Representative P. Gad Bryan View All Years

P. GAD BRYAN was born of Irish parents near West Carlisle, Coshocton county, Ohio, December 11, 1825; he died at Des Moines, Iowa, March 22, 1910. He moved with his parents from Ohio to Georgetown, Illinois, in 1839, and there lived and worked upon a farm. In 1846 he began the study of medicine and graduated from Wabash Medical College in 1848. In the same year he began the practice of his profession at Darwin, Ill. In December, 1850, he moved to Indianola, Iowa, where he continued the practice of medicine, meantime studying law. He was admitted to the bar in 1852, when he immediately gave up the practice of medicine and began at once the practice of the law, which he continued until January 1, 1900. Although a life-long Democrat, he was in 1850 elected from Warren county, Iowa, to the Legislature of the State and again re-elected to the same position in 1854. In October, 1875, he removed from Indianola to Des Moines, Iowa, and there continued the practice of the law, and for two terms was elected and served as city solicitor of Des Moines. As a lawyer he possessed many qualities of success. He had a keen sense of humor and justice, and maintained unfalteringly, the highest standard of professional integrity, always commanding the confidence and respect of all whom he encountered. He was an easy and pleasant speaker, with an active and well trained mind, both witty and analytical and withal possessed a pleasing and charming personality. Before removing to Des Moines Colonel Bryan was, in a district largely Republican, twice elected district attorney for the judicial district in Iowa, at that time comprising the counties of Warren, Madison, Polk, Adair, Cass, Dallas, Guthrie, Audubon and Greene. This position he resigned in 1861 to enlist in the Civil War. He was elected captain of Company A of the First Iowa Cavalry and was with his regiment in the battles of Milford, Prairie Grove, McGuire’s Ford, Van Buren, Ark., and in various engagements in western guerrilla warfare. He was promoted to major of his regiment in 1862, and lieutenant colonel in 1863. He left his regiment in 1863 to become chief of scouts for Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, in which capacity he served to the close of the war. He was prominent in the organization of what was known in Iowa as the “Blue Ribbon Club” and was the first president of that organization. He was also a member of the Octogenarian and the Polk County Old Settlers’ Association.