Biography of Thomas W. Bryant, Lakeland, Polk County, FL File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nancy Rayburn (naev@earthlink.net). USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or publication by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ****************************************************************************************** Transcribed from: The History of Florida: Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. III, page 146, 1923. BRYANT, THOMAS W. is one of the prominent young attorneys of the Florida bar. While a young man in the '30s, he has had a widely varied experience, having achieved success in his profession, and has also a record as a soldier in the World war, with active duty in France before the armistice. Mr. BRYANT represents an old family of Florida, and was born in Polk County, March 28, 1890, son of EMORY and NELLIE (BLOCKER) BRYANT. His father was born in Columbia County, Florida. His grandfather, THOMAS BRYANT, was born in Georgia, in 1816. He first came to Florida as a soldier against the Seminole Indians, and was in two Indian wars in this state. Many years later he was a confederate soldier. NELLIE BLOCKER was born in Hillsboro County, Florida, and her father S. W. BLOCKER, was also a native of this state. THOMAS W. BRYANT is the oldest of six sons, two of whom are now deceased. He acquired a liberal education, graduating from the Lakeland High School, and took both the literary and law courses at the University of Florida. He was graduated in 1915, was admitted to the bar the same year, and at once engaged in practice at Lakeland. He has a thorough knowledge of the law, is an industrious worker in the interest of his clients, and has an extensive general practice. He is attorney for the First National Bank of Lakeland, and in 1922 was nominated for the legislature. Mr. BRYANT is affiliated with Lakeland Lodge No. 1298, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1920 he married Miss LYDIA STEITZ, of Lakeland. They have one daughter, MARGARET M. Mr. BRYANT was in the service of the Government for eighteen months. He enlisted January 15, 1918, and was assigned to duty with the Second Battalion of the Three Hundred Nineteenth Field Artillery in the Eighty-second Division. After going to France he was at the front for three months, and participated in the battles of St. Mihiel, the Argonne Forest and the Argonne-Meuse campaigns.