(Lived 1820 - May 18, 1883)

Born in Cocke County, Tennessee, Josiah Bryan moved to Chattanooga in 1848.  Mayor Bryan oversaw an expansion of city government with new offices occupied in the VanDeman Building on the corner of Eighth and Market Streets.  In trying to promote Chattanooga for travelers, Mayor Bryan and the Board of Aldermen passed a resolution inviting United States President U. S. Grant and his cabinet to spend a portion of the summer on Lookout Mountain.  The resolution included an expenditure of $500 to help defray the cost of the President and his cabinet. 

Mayor Bryan also oversaw significant public works in the further attempt to improve the streets of Chattanooga. To aid the city with financial issues, the mayor and alderman issued $30,000 in city script.