My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM ALEXANDER BRYANS, barber, Turtle Creek, was born in Fayette county, Pa., Dec. 16, 1845, a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Batch) Bryans, natives of Pennsylvania. Batch Williams, father of Elizabeth, had his name reversed by legislative enactment; his wife, Nancy, was a daughter of Dominick Bradley, who came from Ireland and took upland in Northumberland county, Pa., in 1772. When William A. Bryans was quite small his father died, and when he was twelve years old he was put on a farm with William Brisbine, in Westmoreland county. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. K, 127th U. S. C. T., and was attached to the Army of the James, serving in the battles of Deep Bottom, Hatcher’s Run, Farmville and front of Petersburg and Richmond. After Lee’s surrender the regiment went to Texas, and was there mustered out in September, 1865, Mr. Bryans’ discharge bearing date 7th of that month. After mining coal for a time he commenced his present business at Elizabeth, this county, and, after keeping shop at Tarentum three years, came to Turtle Creek in 1875. In addition to tonsorial work he deals in newspapers, stationery and tobacco, and is very successful. In May, 1876, he married Minnie, daughter of Norman and Mary (Sarver) Bruce, all natives of this county, and of their three children only William Alexander is living. Mrs. Bryans died Jan. 14, 1880, aged twenty-three. Mr. Bryans is a member of the G. A. R., and is a K. T.; he is a republican.