San Francisco Mayor. An established newspaper editor originally from Massachusetts, Bryant first moved to Kentucky in 1830 and became editor of the "Lexington Observer," which later merged to become the "Lexington Observer and Reporter" in 1832. In 1834 he became editor of the "Lexington Intelligencer" newspaper until 1844. In 1846 he left Kentucky and traveled overland to California. Arriving during the middle of the Mexican War, he volunteered in November of 1846 to serve in Lt. Col. John C. Fremont's California Battalion and was appointed a First Lieutenant in Company H. After his discharge the next year, he went to San Francisco where in February 1847 he was appointed the 2nd American Alcalde (Mayor) of the city, a post he held until his resignation in June of that year. Returning to Louisville, Kentucky in 1848, he published his diary of his experiences in California, titled "What I Saw In California," which went on to become a best seller and served as a guide for later gold rush travelers to the state. After his death due to a fall from his hotel room, Bryant was originally buried in Louisville until 1888, when his body was moved to Cincinnati for reburial.
San Francisco Mayor. An established newspaper editor originally from Massachusetts, Bryant first moved to Kentucky in 1830 and became editor of the "Lexington Observer," which later merged to become the "Lexington Observer and Reporter" in 1832. In 1834 he became editor of the "Lexington Intelligencer" newspaper until 1844. In 1846 he left Kentucky and traveled overland to California. Arriving during the middle of the Mexican War, he volunteered in November of 1846 to serve in Lt. Col. John C. Fremont's California Battalion and was appointed a First Lieutenant in Company H. After his discharge the next year, he went to San Francisco where in February 1847 he was appointed the 2nd American Alcalde (Mayor) of the city, a post he held until his resignation in June of that year. Returning to Louisville, Kentucky in 1848, he published his diary of his experiences in California, titled "What I Saw In California," which went on to become a best seller and served as a guide for later gold rush travelers to the state. After his death due to a fall from his hotel room, Bryant was originally buried in Louisville until 1888, when his body was moved to Cincinnati for reburial.
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