BRYANT, John Wesley - 1914

BRYANT, GREEN, HATHAWAY, BOOTHBY, GARNESS, MONDAY

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/5/2009 at 03:33:24

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

JOHN WESLEY BRYANT.

In the passing of John Wesley Bryant, Cherokee county lost a substantial and valued citizen, his church a devoted member, his associates a loyal friend and his family a loving husband and father. Mr. Bryant was born in Sterling, Jackson county, Iowa, September 6, 1857, and was a son of William and Fannie (Green) Bryant, both of whom were natives of England, the mother being born in Shepton Mallet, Somersetshire, England, August 20, 1823. On coming to the United States in 1849 they were married and crossed the continent until they reached Sterling, Jackson county, Iowa, where they took up their abode in the 40s. The father was a harness maker and followed that trade in his native country, but after crossing the Atlantic turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He came to Cherokee county in 1894 and here passed away in 1907, having for over a decade survived his wife, who died February 22, 1895. In politics he was a republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Byrant were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and both took a helpful part in its work, Mr. Bryant serving as a member of the board of stewards. Mrs. Bryant became a member of the church at the age of sixteen. She was a charter member of the Womens Foreign Missionary Society and a teacher in the Sunday school. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were born eight children: Henry, now a resident of Mitchell, South Dakota; Elizabeth, the wife of George Hathaway, also of Mitchell; Herbert, living in Jackson county, Iowa; John W.; and Clara, Ellen, Emma and Oliver, all now deceased.

In the schools of Sterling, John W. Bryant pursued his education and through the periods of vacation worked with his father on the farm. He afterward started out in life on his own account and for two years followed farming in Jackson county, but in 1882 removed to Cherokee county, where he bought first one hundred and sixty acres and later added eightysix acres and still later increased his acreage until he owned three hundred and sixty acres, on which he carried on general farming and stock buying until he retired from active business life, having in the meantime acquired a handsome competency. In 1911 he arrived in Cherokee and his remaining days were here passed in well earned rest. While he followed farming there were few leisure hours and it was his industry and close application that brought him the competence that enabled him eventually to put aside further business cares.

On the 14th of February, 1882, Mr. Bryant was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Boothby, a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Garness) Boothby, of Clinton county, Iowa, who were natives of England. The father was born in Appleby, Lincolnshire, on the ist of March, 1825, and the mother was born in Goxhill on the 4th of November 1823. They were married in England and came to the United States in 1866, taking up their abode at Sterling, Jackson county, Iowa, where the father carried on farming until he removed with his family to Clinton county, this state, where his death occurred in 1905. He had for several years survived his wife, who passed away December 27, 1886. They were earnest, consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father gave his political allegiance to the republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Boothby became the parents of twelve children: Mary, the wife of George Monday, living in Washington, Iowa; Thomas, William, Christopher and George, all now deceased; George, whose home is in Clinton county Iowa; Alfred, who has passed away; Lucy, who was born in Sterling, March 15, 1859; John, a resident of Jackson county Iowa; Robert, living in Cherokee county; Martin, whose home is in Clinton county; and Franklin, deceased.

Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were born three sons: William W., who was born May 18, 1884; Christopher T., whose birth occurred March 16, 1886; and Charles H., born February 2, 1891. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when, on the 26th of May, 1913, Mr. Bryant was called from this life. He was a republican in his political views and never neglected the duties of citizenship although he did not seek nor desire office. He was «ver willing to cooperate in movements for the general good and his influence and aid were farreaching and beneficial. He was a most faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was ever helpful in promoting its work and extending its influence. He served on the official board of stewards and for several years was superintendent of the Sunday school, and he did everything in his power to advance the interest and work of the church. So honorable and upright was his life that he left to his family that untarnished name which is rather to be chosen than great riches, yet such was the industry and business ability that he displayed that he also was able to bequeath to his family a comfortable competence. His life was, indeed, worthy and upright and he had in Cherokee county a legion of warm friends, which was proven by the fact that in point of attendance his was one of the largest funerals ever held in Cherokee county.