 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "James W. Bryan" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(May 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
James W. Bryan | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromWashington'sat-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 | |
| Preceded by | office established |
| Succeeded by | office abolished |
| Member of theWashington State Senate from the 23rd district | |
| In office 1909–1913 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Condon |
| Succeeded by | Peter Iverson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Wesley Bryan (1874-03-11)March 11, 1874 Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | August 26, 1956(1956-08-26) (aged 82) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican Progressive |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
|
| Education | Lake Charles College Baylor University Yale Law School |
| Occupation |
|
James Wesley Bryan (March 11, 1874 – August 26, 1956) was aU.S. Representative fromWashington state.
James Wesley Bryan was born on March 11, 1874, inLake Charles inCalcasieu Parish, Louisiana, toJames W. Bryan Sr. His father served in the Confederate Army as a captain and was mayor of Lake Charles and a state legislator. Bryan attended public schools andLake Charles College. He graduated in 1895 fromBaylor University. He then studied atYale Law School until his father's death took him back to Louisiana.[1][2] He continued to study law at an office in Lakes Charles and wasadmitted to the bar in 1898 or 1900, sources differ.[1][2] He volunteered to serve in theSpanish-American War, but was rejected due to impaired eyesight.[3]
Bryan started practicing law in Lake Charles. In 1904 or 1905, he moved toBremerton, Washington, and continued practicing law there. He was the Bremerton city attorney in 1907, 1908, and 1911. As city attorney, he successfully campaigned for municipal ownership of the Bremerton water supply system and waterfront dock. He served as a member of theWashington State Senate from 1908 to 1912.[1][2][3] He was affiliated with the law firms Bryan & Ingle, Bryan & Best, and Bryan & Garland. He then sold his law practice.[2]
Bryan was elected as aProgressive to theSixty-third Congress (March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915). He was the first to representWashington's at-large congressional district. He introduced a bill for government ownership of railroads, but it was defeated. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the new 1st district seat in 1914 to theSixty-fourth Congress.[1][3][2] He sued his opponentClarance B. Blethen and his publicationThe Seattle Times for their characterization of him in cartoons and editorials during the congressional race and Bryan settled out of court.[2]
Bryan owned and published the weekly newspaperThe Navy Yard American from 1915 to 1917.[1][2] After resuming his law practice, he was prosecuting attorney ofKitsap County from 1926 to 1930.[1] He was opposed to liquor and gambling and had a feud with sheriff John Stanioch. He published leaflets titledThe Broad Axe that shared his views.[2] From 1933 to 1936, he was the president of the Bremerton Port Commission. He sold his share of his law partnership to James Arthur following Arthur's return from World War II. He then returned to practice law with his son James W. Jr. in 1950. He practiced law in Bremerton until his death.[1][2] Later in his career, he argued against the purchase of private power facilities by districts with public utilities.[2][3] He was chairman of the Kitsap County Public Utility District.[2]
Bryan married Lorena Kearse ofSan Angelo, Texas, on March 26, 1899. They had one son and two daughters, James W., Billie, and Merlaine.[2] In the 1920s, Bryan bought a home on Washington Avenue in Bremerton. He was a member of the First Methodist Church, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Kiwanis.[2] He was friends with U.S. senatorHomer Bone.[2]
Bryan died on August 26, 1956, at theSwedish Hospital inSeattle. He was cremated and interred in Forest Lawn Cemetery.[1][2][3]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by N/A | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromWashington's at-large congressional district 1913–1915 | Succeeded by N/A |
