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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
WILLIAM A. BRYAN, of Prairie Township, was born in Greene County, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1835, a son of Alanson and Easter (Mendenhall) Bryan, whose biography see elsewhere in this book. He came with his parents to Iowa in 1849, with whom he remained, working on the farm with his father, and receiving a common school education. On Dec. 25, 1856, he was married to Miss Catherine M. Pearson, a native of Logan County, Ohio, born Dec. 7, 1838, and a daughter of Rev. William and Catherine (Pickrell) Pearson, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan became the parents of nine children, two of whom died in infancy, Elma A. at the age of fourteen years, and Charles F. was killed by lightning at the age of twenty-one years. Five children are yet living, viz: Lillian, Fred H., Ernest E., Willie A. and Walter E. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Bryan purchased a farm in Poweshiek County, and cultivated it until 1871, when he sold out and purchased 160 acres of raw prairie on section 36, of Prairie Township, to which he has added until his present farm embraces 256 acres of very fine land, all in a high state of cultivation and with the best class of improvements. Politically Mr. Bryan is a Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for Fremont, in 1856, and has held several local offices. He has never connected himself with any religious or secret society, is a man of liberal education, and able to express himself intelligently upon general subjects. He gives much attention to stock-raising, in which he has been very successful, and is one of the leading farmers of Mahaska County, as well as one of its best citizens. He manages his business prudently and cautiously, is a kind and indulgent husband and father, and greatly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy