Thomas Bryan Founder

* Thomas Bryan graduated from Harvard in 1848 and spoke six languages. * He was constantly in the news—building railroads, concert halls, and even founding Elmhurst. * He ran for mayor more than once and moved in powerful political and social circles. * Son of an abolitionist, he served as a pallbearer at Abraham Lincoln’s funeral. * Introduced Ulysses S. Grant at the World’s Fair during his first public speech. * Had an office in the groundbreaking Home Insurance Building * Served as VP and Commissioner-at-Large for the 1893 Columbian Exposition. * Traveled globally promoting the Fair—including a meeting with the Pope. * Sold 51% of his copier company to H.H. Holmes, who never paid him. * Became Holmes’ biggest swindling victim. * Amid all this, he also founded Graceland Cemetery.