Alonzo Bryson is a native of Cincinnati Ohio. He was born July 23, 1840, to Isaac and Jane (Kerr) Bryson. His father, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1816, moved to Cincinnati when a young man and became a pilot on the Ohio river. Later he was captain of the “Bostonian” and among the men of his class he was prominent and well known from Pittsburgh to St. Louis. Alonzo received a good common school education and at the age of sixteen began his career, steam boating on the Ohio river. In 1857 he accepted a position on the “Frank Steel,” the first sidewheel boat to ply the Minnesota river. Afterward, returning to Cincinnati, he was employed on various boats, serving as clerk, then as pilot and finally as captain and in this last natural capacity went with the “Phil Sheridan” on her first trip from Pittsburgh to St. Paul, Minnesota. He afterward had charge of the “Bell Cross,” plying the Mississippi between St. Louis and St. Paul, and in 1875, while captain of this boat, terminated his steam boating career. After leaving the employment in which he had spent so many years. Mr. Bryson became agent of the Keokuk and Northern line of steamers, known as the “Davison Line,” at Davenport, Iowa. Through his thorough and practical knowledge of the business, and his eminent ability and fitness for that line of work, he built up a large trade for his company, deserving and receiving high commendation. In 1889 he engaged in buying and selling grain and coal, and also was made general western agent of the Fleischmann Compound Yeast company of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a man of careful an correct business methods, and has made whatever he has turned his attention to a financial success. He has always found in his legitimate business enough to fully occupy his time and gratify his ambition, and has never aspired to office of any kind. In politics he is a Republican. In religious faith he is a Methodist.
On October 21, 1861, at Dayton, Kentucky, Mr. Bryson married Miss Valeria Wright, a native of Ohio. Of four children born to them, Elmer E resides at Omaha, Nebraska; Robert H. is agent of the Fleischmann Compound Yeast Company of Cincinnati, at Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary V. is married and lives in St. Louis, and Pearl E., the youngest lives at home.
BIOGRAPHIES