Ed Bryant

ED BRYANT. Now and then a man of such forceful personality, general popularity and recognized efficiency is able to break down the normal partisan lines prevailing in every American community and is chosen to an office that uniformly goes to the opposition candidate. The first democratic sheriff ever elected in Osborne County is Ed Bryant, now serving his second term. Mr. Bryant has spent his life in this county and is a practical farmer as well as a very capable public official.

He was born on his father's homestead near Downs November 23, 1883. This branch of the Bryant family came originally from Ireland and first settled in Culpeper County, Virginia, in colonial times and in the latter half of the eighteenth century some of them crossed the mountains through the Cumberland Gap at the same time with Daniel Boone, and were among the first settlers in Kentucky. D. C. Bryant was the father of Sheriff Bryant and was born in Kentucky in 1832. He grew up there, later moved to Illinois, had a pioneer experience in Nebraska before he came to Kansas in 1872 and located on his homestead near Downs. He is one of the few pioneers of that section who are still living on their old homestead. In politics he is strictly independent. D. C. Bryant has been three times married. His third wife was Jennie Andrews. They were married at Cawker City, Kansas. She was born in 1850, in New Jersey. Of their children, the first, a son, died in infancy. The second is Ed Bryant. Samuel is a supervisor of shipbuilding in the employ of the government with home at Beaumont, Texas. Harry is a foreman of bridges for the Missouri Pacific Railway Company. Sadie is the wife of Fred Skinner and they live with her parents on the old farm.

Mr. Ed Bryant received his early education in the rural schools of Osborne County. He grew up on the home farm, managed it for his father, and still has it under his active supervision. Mr. Bryant is unmarried. He was elected sheriff in 1914 and again in 1916. He is affiliated with Osborne Lodge of Masons, Osborne Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Dorie Council, Royal and Select Masters.

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