Bryan, Alanson

BRYAN, MENDENHALL, MCCOY, KIRK, DALBEY, FLEANOR, EWING

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/1/2012 at 09:12:32

Six decades have been added to the cycle of the centuries since Alanson Bryan became a resident of Montezuma. Great have been the changes that occurred within that period and with the work of progress and improvement he has been associated. A native of Ohio, he was born in Greene county, April 27, 1843, his parents being Neri and Sarah (Mendenhall) Bryan, who were also natives of the same county, the father having been born there March 11, 1820, while the mother was born November 18, 1822. They were married May 21, 1840, and lived for several years in the Buckeye state, but in 1846 became residents of Jefferson county, Iowa. On the 25th of January, 1850, they arrived at Montezuma, where their remaining days were passed. The father's death occurred December 2, 1903, while the mother died on the 27th of March, 1868. He had followed farming during much of his life but also worked at the carpenter's trade and engaged in the manufacture of brick, continuing in that business from 1860 until his retirement a few years before his death. He made the first brick in the county. His farm was a bract of eighty acres a mile north of Montezuma, in Scott township, and this he entered from the government.
The children of his first marriage were: Silas, who enlisted in Company, F, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and was killed at the battle of Champion's Hill, Mississippi, May 16, 1863; Alanson; John M, who enlisted from this county, January 1, 1864, as a member of Company B, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at Fort Smith, Arkansas, his death resulting from his injuries; William A., a retired farmer of Montezuma; and Mrs. Elma I. McCoy, now deceased. After losing his first wife Neri Bryan married Margaret Kirk and they had three children: Charles D., of Union township; Mrs. Lucy R. Dalbey, of Mason City, Iowa; and Mrs. Mary E. Fleanor, of Reasnor, Iowa.
Alanson Bryan, whose names introduces this review, came with his parents to this state almost two-thirds of a century ago and in January, 1850, arrived in Montezuma, where he has since lived. Like his father he has engaged in agricultural pursuits, in the manufacture of brick and in carpentry and has led a busy and useful life. But his labors were interrupted at the time of the Civil war for with patriotic ardor he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting on the 22d of August, 1862, as a member of Company B, Fortieth Iowa Infantry. He was mustered out at Fort Gibson, in the Cherokee Nation, Indian territory, August 16, 1865, having taken part in all the engagements of his regiment which was assigned to duty with the Army of the West.
It was not long after his return from the war the Mr. Bryan was married, the wedding being celebrated February 15, 1866, when Sarah P. Ewing became his wife. She was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 24, 1844, and was brought to Poweshiek county by her parents, Samuel and Prudence Ewing in the '50s. She died March 3, 1873, leaving a daughter, Florence L., now the wife of A. U. Dalbey, or Barnes City, Iowa, by whom she had seven children, four of whom are living.
After his return from the war Mr. Bryan carried on business pursuits until about ten years ago when he retired and is now enjoying a well earned rest made possible by the fruits of his former toil. He is a republican but has never sought or desired office. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has always been true and loyal in matters of citizenship, displaying the same fidelity in times of peace that he manifested when he followed the stars and stripes on southern battlefields.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Page 343