George Bryant, b. 8 Feb 1822

BEARD, GANE, FITZGERALD, WYANT, SEEMANN, CORLIS

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/22/2004 at 10:39:05

In the subject of this sketch is represented one of the most successful and prominent citizens of Iowa Township. He began life at the foot of the ladder without other resources than his own resolution and energy, and is now the owner of a fine property including one of the best farms in this region, which, with its buildings and appurtenances, comprises a very desirable and attractive home. The phenomenal success of Mr. Bryant has never made him proud or arrogant; on the contrary he is one of the most modest, public-spirited and liberal-minded men of his time, taking an interest in everything calculated to benefit the people around him, and uniformly willing to contribute of his time and means to bring about this result. He is a pronounced Republican politically; one of the most active members of his party in this section, taking a lively interest in its success.

A scion of excellent English stock, our subject was born in Somersetshire, Feb. 8, 1822, and is the son of Joseph and Phyllis (Beard) Bryant, natives of the same shire as their son, and whose family consisted of thirteen children. Of these but five are living, namely: Ann, Eliza, Edwin, William, and George of this sketch. The others are located chiefly in Jackson County. The parents are deceased.

Mr. Bryant received a practical education in the common schools of his native place, and upon approaching manhood occupied himself mostly with farming. He sojourned in Somersetshire until twenty-eight years of age, and then resolved to seek his fortune on another continent. Taking passage at Bristol, in the spring of 1850, he landed in New York after a voyage of thirty days, and soon thereafter proceeded directly westward to this county, taking up his abode in Iowa Township, of which he has since been a resident.

The country along the southern line of this county thirty-nine years ago bore a wide contrast to its present position, and was very much less thickly settled than now. Young Bryant came hither without capital, neither did he afterward receive any financial assistance from anyone. He occupied himself first as a farmer, and in 1851 made his first purchase of land. He labored early and late in the improvement of his property, and in the course of time found himself upon solid ground. He is now the owner of 400 broad acres, a large proportion of which is operated by renters, but he has reserved enough for himself to allow him to carry on his favorite industry as a stock-dealer. He has not devoted all of his time to the getting of gain but has spent time and means in beneficial travel, availing himself of every opportunity to see something of the world and acquire useful information. He visited the Centennial exposition at Philadelphia in 1876, and that same year extended his travels across the Atlantic to his old home in England, where he was welcomed by the friends of his boyhood and where he spent a few weeks in a very pleasant manner. Upon becoming a naturalized citizen he identified himself with the Republican party, casting his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. He has officiated as School Director, Township Trustee and Pathmaster. He and the surviving members of the family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Sterling.

Prior to leaving England Mr. Bryant was married, April 14, 1846, to one of the most estimable young ladies of his acquaintance, Miss Elizabeth Gane, who was born not far from the childhood home of her husband. This pleasant and congenial union resulted in the birth of nine children, five of whom are living, namely: Jehu, James, Joseph, Anna and Faith E. Jehu married Miss Matilda Fitzgerald, and is the father of seven children - Cora A., Elmer G., Jessie L., Edith M., Ella D., Geneva I., and Calvin J., and is farming in Iowa Township; James, also a resident of this township, married Miss Nancy Wyant, and they have five children - George A., D. Franklin, John B., Lucy B. and R. Violet; Anna is the wife of Henry Seemann; they have no children, and remain at the homestead with Mr. Bryant. Faith is the wife of Charles Corlis, of Sterling, and the mother of two children - Lyda E. and an infant daughter unnamed; Joseph married Miss Roxa Corlis, lives in Iowa Township, and has three children - Elizabeth T., George L., and Harvey J. The deceased children were: Eliza, Mrs. Wyant, Albert, Wesley and Emma.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Gane) Bryant departed this life at the homestead in Iowa Township, Jan. 7, 1889, at the age of seventy years. She was a consistent Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a woman possessing all the womanly virtues. She was a faithful and devoted wife and mother, and her name is held in tender remembrance by her family and a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)