My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAMES BRYSON. Among those who, after years of untiring industry and the practice of a prudent economy are now able to enjoy the reward of their toils, may be mentioned Mr. Bryson, who is in the enjoyment of a comfortable home in the shape of a valuable farm finely located in Xenia Township, Greene County. He came to this place in the fall of 1880 and since that time has not engaged in any active business or labor, simply looking after his property and wisely giving himself a needed rest and the enjoyment of the society of his friends. The Bryson farm is situated about one and one-half miles north of Xenia and forms one of the prettiest pictures in the landscape of that region. The proprietor is recognized as one of the old landmarks of this county and one who has been no unimportant factor in advancing its prosperity. Every man who has redeemed a portion of the soil from the wilderness and erected thereon a comfortable homestead, has thus contributed to the development of the county and is worthy of honorable mention.

Mr. Bryson was born March 1, 1815, in Northumberland County, Pa., and lived there until the spring of 1834. He was reared amid the peaceful surroundings of country life and trained to the habits of industry and sentiments of honor which have made him what he is to-day among his fellow-citizens. He acquired a practical education in the common schools and when leaving school chose farming for his vocation, of which he made an art and a science and in which he has been more than ordinarily successful.

In the spring of 1834 Mr. Bryson concluded to seek his fortunes on the soil of Ohio and accordingly in company with his father came to this county. They secured a tract of land on the Clifton Pike, running from Oldtown to Clifton, and James, working with his father, lived there until the fall of 1880. In the meantime he was married in Xenia Township, March 17, 1853, to Miss Nancy A., daughter of William and Elizabeth Bradfute. Mrs. Bryson was born January 10, 1828, in Cedarville Township, this county, of which her parents were early pioneers and where they spent the closing years of their lives. The young people commenced the journey of life together under the old rooftree and became the parents of four children: William B., the eldest, is on the old home of Mr. Bryson; Nettie died when four years old; Robert E., and Agnew E. The former resides on a farm in this township, the latter at home.

Since starting out upon his own account Mr. Bryson has been uniformly successful. At one time he was the owner of about seven hundred acres of land in this county. There are few men possessing a better knowledge of the value of property and he has for some time been one of the Real-Estate Appraisers of Xenia Township. Mr. Bryson during his early manhood affiliated with the old Whig party, but since its organization has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Third United Presbyterian Church, in Xenia, of which Mr. Bryson officiates as an Elder. While actively engaged in farming he made a specialty of stock-raising which netted him handsome returns.

The parents of our subject were Robert and Hannah Bryson, natives of Pennsylvania and supposed to be of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The parental household consisted of eight children.

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This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

View additional Greene County, Ohio family biographies here: Greene County, Ohio Biographies

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