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will be extremely interesting to every boy who reads this sketch to know of his record on this point. During his first year at the academy he declaimed Patrick Henry's masterpiece, and not only failed to win a prize but ranked well down the list. Nothing daunted, the second year found him again entered with The Palmetto and the Pine as his subject. This time he ranked third. The next as his subject. This time he ranked third. The next year when a freshman, he tried for a prize in Latin prose and won half of the second prize. In his sophomore year he entered another contest with an essay on Labor and this time the first prize rewarded his work. Again in his junior year an oration upon Individual Powers gave him the first prize. This winning of the Junior prize entitled him to represent Illinois College in the intercollegiate oratorical contest which was held at Galesburg, Illinois, in the fall of 1880.
At the time of his graduation he was elected class orator by his class, and having the highest rank in scholarship during the four years course, delivered the valedictory address. The graduating exercises of Illinois College occurred in June 1881. When fall came he entered the Union College of Law at Chicago. On July 4, 1883, began the practice of his profession in Jacksonville, Illinois. During the next six months, the struggle encountered by all young professional men began. During the few years that followed politics lost none of its charms and each campaign found Mr. Bryan speaking.
Three years after graduation, it might be well to mention, he attended the commencement at Illinois College, delivered the Masters oration, and received his degree. The subject being American Citizenship.
In 1887, legal business called him to Kansas and Iowa and he spent a day in Lincoln with a former law classmate, A. R. Talbot. Mr. Bryan was greatly impressed, by the beauty and business enterprise of Lincoln, and with the unlimited advantages which a growing capital furnished a young lawyer. Returning to Illinois full of enthusiasm for the west, he made plans to remove to Lincoln. Me might again mention that no political ambitions were responsible for the change as the city, county, and state were strongly Republican. Arriving in Lincoln, October 1, 1887, a partnership was formed with Mr. Talbot.
Mr. Bryan did not distinguish himself particularly as a lawyer. He entered the practice at 23 and left it at 30, He became actively connected with the Democratic organization in Nebraska almost immediately after coming to the state, for early in the spring of 1888 he made a political speech at Seward.
In 1890, without opposition for the nomination in his own party, Mr. Bryan was elected to congress. He was re-elected to congress in 1892. In the spring of 1894 he announced that he would not be a candidate for reelection, but had decided to stand as a candidate for the United States senate. He was nominated for that office by the unanimous vote of the democratic state convention, but was unsuccessful in the election. The defeat, a disappointment, did not discourage Mr. Bryan. On September 1, 1894, he became chief of the editorial staff of the Omaha World Herald, continuing until nominated for president in 1896.
From that date until the last national convention he gave a portion of his time to newspaper work. It might be mentioned that two of Mr. Bryan's most important speeches were delivered, one at Tammany Hall, July 4, 1892, and the other at the National Cemetery at Arlington, May 30, 1894. President Cleveland and four of his cabinet were in attendance on the latter occasion.
As a delegate in the Democratic National Convention of 1896, he delivered the oration in favor of the free coinage of silver, known as the "Cross of Gold" speech, which won him the nomination for the presidency. He traveled more than 18,000 miles during this campaign, speaking at almost every stopping place. He was, however, defeated by William McKinley, receiving 176 electoral votes against McKinley's 271.
Then the Spanish War came, and on the day war was declared Mr. Bryan telegraphed his services to President McKinley. Without any experience Mr. Bryan could not be assigned to the staff. However, Governor Holcomb of Nebraska authorized him to raise a regiment which was known as the Third Nebraska Regiment of Volunteer Infantry for the Spanish American War. He became its colonel.
In 1900 Mr. Bryan was again nominated for the presidency. He made a most brilliant and active campaign but again was defeated, receiving 155 electoral votes against 292 for William McKinley. About this time Mr. Bryan established a political magazine at Lincoln, which was known as the Commoner. In 1906 he toured the world, contributing articles to newspapers and magazines thereafter. In 1908 he was nominated for president a third time at Denver, but was defeated by William Howard Taft.
On March 4, 1913, he took the office of secretary of state in the cabinet of President Woodrow Wilson, resigning on June 9, 1915. During this time he negotiated thirty treaties with governments which represented three-fourths of the world's population. Mr. Bryan was the author of The First Battle (1897); Under Other Flags (1904); The Old World and Its Ways (1907); besides numerous articles in magazines and newspapers throughout the world. In 1916 the question of state prohibition became the dominant issue in Nebraska, and Mr. Bryan made a tour of the state in support of the movement. In 1920 he made his last campaign in the state, when he was a candidate for delegate from Nebraska to the convention at San Francisco.
For thirty years Mr. Bryan was in the public eye as a champion of the common people, and probably has had no equal in American history in ability to put his sentiment into eloquent and stirring words. No man in history has spoken to so many people. Perhaps there will be equals but never a superior in the power of his eloquence.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bryan were born three children; Ruth Baird, now Mrs. Reginald Owen, was born October 2, 1885. William Jennings Bryan, Jr., was born June 24, 1889, and Grace Dexter, now Mrs. Richard L. Hargreaves, was born February 17, 1891.
William Jennings Bryan died at Dayton, Tennessee, July 26, 1925. (Photograph on Page 3).
Gordon Folsom Bryant
Born at Tekamah, May 6, 1887, Gordon Folsom Bryant has been a lifelong resident of Burt County. He is the son of Edward Washburn and Rose (Folsom) Bryant, the former a native of Barre, Massachusetts, who came to Nebraska in its early days. He was born December 13, 1847, and died at Tekamah, November 15, 1919. He engaged in the lumber, coal and building material business in one location for more than fifty years. His wife, Rose Folsom, was born at Attica, New York, November 23, 1858, and is the daughter of B. R. Folsom, who homesteaded the townsite of Tekamah; she is also a second cousin of Mrs. Frances Folsom, wife of President Cleveland.
Gordon Folsom Bryant attended Tekamah public schools until 1905, and attended Worcester (Massachusetts) Academy one year. After leaving school he entered the business of his father, with whom he was associated twenty-five years, and upon his death became the owner and manager. In addition to this he is the owner of four farms adjoining Tekamah, and engages in stockfeeding and raising.
He was married to Anne Radcliffe at Sidney, Nebraska, January 27, 1921. Mrs. Bryant, who is a reader and student of literature, was born at Sidney, October 7, 1893. There are two sons, Gordon, born February 14, 1921, and Jack, born October 5, 1926. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Bryant is independent in politics, and is a member
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of the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and the Red Cross. He enjoys golf, and is a member of the Tekamah Country Club. Residence: Tekamah.
James Howard Bryant
James H. Bryant was born at Mooresville, Indiana, September 15, 1866, the son of Bowater and Lucetta Ann (Warthen) Bryant. His father was born at Mooresville, September 9 1840, and died at Norcatur, Kansas, April 4, 1916. His mother was born at Mooresville, and died at Norcatur, Kansas, July 12, 1924, the mother of eleven children. Her ancestry on her mother's side, dates back to the celebrated temperance worker, Josiah Dow.
On September 6, 1906, Mr. Bryant was united in marriage with Laura A. Emerick, at Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born at Butler, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1871, her ancestry dating to Hessie Castle Armstedt, in Germany. To this union three children were born: Lyle, born March 16, 1908, who is now married to Lulu Lewien; Eulalia, born September 30, 1910; and Roma, born April 12, 1913. Lyle has been connected with the department of public works for four years, and Eulalia and Roma are both successful school teachers.
A resident of Nebraska sixty years, Mr. Bryant has served three times as census enumerator, and four years as precinct assessor. He was the first mail carrier at Carleton, was owner and editor of the Carleton Leader for five and one-half years, and was in the real estate business for four years.
During the World War he bought bonds and donated liberally to the Red Cross. He holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, is an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason, a veteran free Mason, and a member of the Low Twelve Club. Reading baseball news is his hobby. Residence: Carleton.
Wilbur Franklin Bryant
Wilbur Franklin Bryant, distinguished lawyer and judge of Nebraska, has lived in this state for the past 55 years, and has taken a prominent place in the legal world during that time. He was born at Dalton, Coos County, New Hampshire, March 21, 1851, the son of George Washington and Nancy Marinda (Parker) Bryant. His father, who was a doctor of divinity, and held the A. M. degree, was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion; he was born at Enfield, Grafton County, New Hampshire, March 30, 1825, and died at New York City, June 16, 1901; his English and Irish ancestors came to England with William the Conqueror. His mother, who was a musician, was born at Concord, Essex County, Vermont, September 1, 1830, and died at New York City, December 24, 1900; her ancestors served in the Revolution.
Mr. Bryant attended Kimball Union Academy and Dartmouth College. He was president of his class at Kimball, and held membership in Kappa Kappa Kappa at Dartmouth College. After the age of fifty he studied under Professor Ross at the University of Nebraska. He is the author of: Life of Louis Riel; Historical Men of Nazareth; Did Virgil Write the Aeneid; Letter to a Young Law Student; a speech against the parochial schools in which he advocated compulsory attendance in public school. He is the editor of Campaign Post. He been engaged in law practice for many years, has tried twenty-two homicide cases and received a conviction in each of them.
He is a Democrat, and has held the following positions: district attorney for six districts in Nebraska; County judge for two years in Cuming County; county judge for 17 years in Cedar County; state insurance commissioner until the supreme court declared it unconstitutional for him to hold the office; postmaster for three Years in Cedar County; deputy provost marshal duringe World War, and colonel in the state militia; and reporter of the supreme court of Nebraska for six years.
Judge Bryant voted against state prohibition in 1917, but believing in law enforcement, he fed convicted bootleggers on bread and water. The associated press blazed this over three continents. It was published over America, and even in China and Turkey. The New York Times and the Springfield (Mass.) Republican censured Bryant severely.
He is a member of the American Bar Association. While he was in Lincoln, he was one of the directors of the State Organization of Charities and Collections. He has been a delegate to numerous conventions, among them the Catholic World Congress in 1893. He is affiliated with Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Hartington.
He was interested in war activities in Cedar County in 1918. All of his sons served, one of them being totally disabled. He is a member of the Nebraskana Society.
Mr. Bryant's marriage to Kate Saunders was solemnized at Springfield, Bon Homme County, South Dakota, October 1, 1881. Mrs. Bryant, who is librarian at Hartington, was born at Waucapona, Cedar County, Nebraska, July 25, 1861. She is of Holland Dutch ancestry. Their children are: Ita, an instructor in the Teachers College at Valley City, North Dakota; Ethel, who is now a high school teacher in the Lincoln High School; Eugene, who married Eloise Engle, and who is totally disabled as a result of the World War; Donovan, who is a journalist; and George, born June 20, 1900, who was an educator, and who died September 25, 1923. Ita is also an educator, while Donovan is on the staff of the Bee News at Omaha. Residence; Hartington. (Photograph on Page 178).
John Anton Brym
Born in Provice, Czechoslovakia, January 1, 1883, John Anton Brym is the son of Anton and Frantiska (Macek) Brym, both of whom came to America in 1884, and both of whom are living.
John Anton Brym attended public school, and from 1899 to 1900, was in the mercantile business. During the year 1901, he was manager of the Republican Publishing Company, 190207 was a grain buyer and postmaster at Loma, Nebraska. From 1907-12, he owned and operated a general merchandise business at Dwight, Nebraska, and from that time until 1922 was a realtor and auctioneer at Dwight. He became vice president of the First National Bank of David City in 1922, and since 1930 has been its president.
On February 3, 1902, he was united in marriage to Fanny Maresh, at Dwight. There were two children: Mary, born August 21, 1902, who died May 9, 1903; and Emma, born November 2, 1905, is married to Alexander L. Pohl, who is connected with the First National Bank.
Mr. Brym is a Democrat. He has resided in Nebraska forty-seven years, is an outstanding figure in his community, and is a member of the Nebraskana Society. During the World War he was a four minute speaker, and a member of the Butler County Council of Defense.
He is a member of St. Mary's Church, and was chairman of its building committee in 1915, when the new church and school were erected, is secretary of Butler County 4-H Clubs, and is a member of the school board. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the committee on civic improvements of the latter in 1925. During 1912-20 Mr. Brym was mayor of Dwight. Residence: David City.
Carl Holland Bryner
Carl Holland Bryner was born at Callaway, Custer County, Nebraska, January 6, 1889. He is the son of Isaac and Matilda Arsino (Sayre) Bryner, the former a merchant and photographer, whose Welsh and German ancestors came to America in 1757. Isaac Bryner was born at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1858, and died at Callaway, March 2, 1929. His wife, Matilda, was born at Sandyville, West Virginia, April 26, 1860. She is an expert embroiderer and formerly was a teacher of the art.
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She is of English and French descent and still living.
Dr. Bryner was graduated from Callaway High School 1908 and was class historian. He attended Omaha University during 1914 and 1915, and Creighton University of Arts college during 1915 and 1916. He received his D. D. S. from Creighton Dental College in 1919, and is a member of Delta. Sigma Delta.
He was marred to Cozie Ellen Bryner at Grand Island, September 18, 1910. Mrs. Bryner was born at Shell Creek, Nebraska, December 1, 1889, and is of English descent. They have three children, Jean Ellen, born January 26, 1919; Patricia Carlene, born August 24, 1924, and Charles Robert, born June 14, 1929.
Upon his graduation from high school Dr. Bryner spent two years as a photographer, and three years as head clerk in a grocery store. He was later head clerk and manager of a shoe store for seven years. In 1919, he entered the active practice of dentistry and has the honor of having received the first appointment as dental surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railway, in which capacity he has served five years. His appointment was the first ever given for any railroad.
On September 18, 1917, he enlisted as a private in the United States Army, and took the examination and was given the rank of first lieutenant, but never served; he was discharged on December 8, 1918. He is a member of the First Methodist Church, and of all bodies of York and Scottish Rite Masonry, including the Shrine and Shrine Patrol. He is a member of the Omaha, Nebraska State, and National Dental Societies. His club is the Lakewood County Club. He enjoys golf and fishing, and his hobby is mechanics. Residence: Omaha.
James Monroe Bryson
James Monroe Bryson, a farmer in Nebraska for several years, has been a resident of this state all his life. He was born at Grand Island, Nebraska, July 5, 1900, the son of Silas Young and Julia (Zuver) Bryson, the former a farmer who was born at Adams, Nebraska, October 26, 1867, and died at Grand Island, September 13, 1921. His mother was born in Gage County, Nebraska, March 7, 1872, and died at Grand Island, December 31, 1929.
Mr. Bryson attended Grand Island College in 1915, and since 1917 has been engaged in farming near Grand Island. He is a Democrat, holds membership in the Methodist Church, and is a member of the Nebraskana Society.
His marriage to Mary Ellen Caveny occurred at Wood River, Nebraska, December 26, 1923. Mrs. Bryson, who was formerly a teacher, was born at Wood River, October 6, 1896. To them three children were born : Robert James, October 29, 1925; Helen Jean, May 14, 1927; and Gerald Lee, December 13, 1930. Residence: Grand Island.
Albert Edward Buchanan
Albert Edward Buchanan, one of the leading physicians in Dodge County, was born at Chatham Hill, Smyth County, Virginia, August 21, 1872. His father, Hickman Spiller Buchanan, was born in Smyth County, September 12, 1847, and died there March 31, 1899. He was a farmer and cattle raiser, descended from Scotch-Irish settlers 1720-30, who were soldiers in the Revolution and the Confederate Army, and prominent in the development ofsouthwestern Virginia. Among them were state legislators, congressmen and presidents. Laura Marie (Sexton) in wife of Hickman, was born in 1850, and died in Smyth County, August 10, 1925. She was of English and Scotch-Irish descent.
Dr. Buchanan attended Marion High School and Holston High School until 1890, and received his A. B. from Emery and Henry College in 1896. In 1900 he was graduated from the Medical College of Virginia, and was admitted to practice by competitive examination. A member of the Callipean Literary Society, he twice represented it in public debate (1892-93), and in 1895 was the winner of the debater's medal. He is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (chapter Pi), and of Pi Mu which is now merged with Phi Chi. He was a member of the football team of Emery & Henry College 1892-94.
On June 12, 1901, he was united in marriage to Ada Grace Pratt at Pleasant Grove, Virginia. Mrs. Buchanan was born at Chatham Hill, Virginia, October 29, 1876, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She is descended from early English and Scotch settlers in Virginia. There are three children: George Warren, born June 8, 1902; Edna Virginia, born December 7, 1903, and Laura Marie, born January 29, 1907. George is a graduate of Fremont High School, received his A. B. and LL. B. from the University of Nebraska and is a practicing attorney at Seattle, Washington. Edna graduated from Fremont High School and the National Kindergarten at Chicago, and is teaching in Kansas City, Missouri. Laura, who was also graduated from Fremont High School, received her A. B. from the University of Nebraska, and is a teacher of English at Saint Paul, Nebraska.
Dr. Buchanan taught in the public schools of Smyth County, 1893-94, and was assistant principal of the Marion, Virginia, High School 1896-97. From 1900-03 he was engaged in the practice of medicine in Smyth County; from 1903-10, at Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, and since 1910 at Fremont.
He served in the Medical Corps with the rank of captain, and was assigned to Camp Meade, Maryland. Following his discharge he was a captain in the Medical Reserve five years, and promoted to the rank of major, which he holds at the present time. Since its organization he has been a member of the American Legion, and a medical member of the State Fund Relief Committee, Department of Nebraska, 1924-; a member of the General Welfare Committee, and Child Welfare Committee. He was present at the organization of Henry Teigeler, Jr. Post No. 20, at Fremont, and also at the organization of the State Department. He was third commander of Post No. 20, and served as delegate from that post to the Annual State Department Conventions every year but one. He has also been delegate to the National American Legion Conventions at Kansas City, San Francisco, Saint Paul, San Antonio, Louisville and Boston.
He is a member of the Reserve Officers' Association, the Military Surgeons of the United States, and the Forty and Eight. His professional memberships include the Dodge County, Nebraska State, Sioux Valley, Elkhorn Valley, Missouri Valley and American Medical Associations. He is a former member of the Red Cross and Salvation Army, serving as chairman of the emergency medical committee.
Dr. Buchanan is a Master Mason, and member of the Knights Templar, 32nd degree, Scottish Rite and Shrine. He is a former member of the Board of Education, and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Nebraskana Society, and the Retail Merchants' Association., His hobby is working in the American Legion Department of Nebraska. Residence: Fremont.
Louis Buchholz
Louis Buchholz was born at Barada, Richardson County, Nebraska, June 16, 1879, the son of August and Johannah (Rife) Buchholz. His father, who was born at Baden, Germany, April 28, 1834, and died at Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska, October 7, 1911, was a farmer who came to America in 1851.
His mother was born at Wurtemberg, Germany, August 15, 1838, and died at Falls City, May 11, 1915.
Mr. Buchholz was educated in the country schools after which he studied business. A Democrat, he is county, commissioner of Richardson County at the present time.
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