Thomas Barbour Bryan

Thomas Barbour Bryan
Bryan in the 1860s
Commissioner of the District of Columbia
In office
December 3, 1877 – July 1, 1878
Preceded byJohn H. Ketcham
Succeeded byseat abolished
Personal details
Born(1828-12-22)December 22, 1828
Alexandria, Virginia
DiedJanuary 26, 1906(1906-01-26) (aged 77)
Washington, D.C.
Resting placeOak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Jennie Byrd Page
(m. 1850; died 1898)
Children3 (including Charles Page Bryan and Jennie Byrd Bryan Payne)
Parent
RelativesJames Barbour (uncle)
Philip P. Barbour (uncle)
Thomas Barbour (grandfather)
Barbour Lathrop (nephew)
Bryan Lathrop (nephew)
Florence Lathrop Field Page (niece)
John Barton Payne (son-in-law)
Jedediah Hyde Lathrop (brother-in-law)
Andrew Wylie Jr. (brother-in-law)
Alma materHarvard University
Signature

Thomas Barbour Bryan (December 22, 1828 – January 26, 1906) was an American businessman, lawyer, and politician.

Born in Virginia, a member of the prestigious Barbour family on his mother's side, Bryan largely made a name for himself in Chicago, Illinois. He was involved in many ventures in the city, such as the creation of Graceland Cemetery, and was active in the city's politics, having twice been nominated for mayor (in 1861 and 1863). He was a strong unionist during the American Civil War. He played a key role in the development of the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst, Illinois, where he resided much of his life, and is often referred to as "The Father of Elmhurst". He was also instrumental in Chicago being awarded the World's Columbian Exposition, and was involved in the 1893 exposition's organization and operation. In addition to his involvement in Chicago politics, Bryan spent a brief period as a commissioner of the District of Columbia.