When John S. Bryan was
about two years old his father died, and some time after his mother married Ambrose Crutcher, of Monroe County. Mr.
Bryan was reared in Paris, and there received his education, and at eighteen years of age enlisted under Joe Porter in
the Confederate service, being actively engaged in military duty from the early part of the year 1862 until 1865, when
the war terminated. It was upon the field at Newark that our brave young volunteer first participated in a battle, later
taking part in the fight at Kirksville. Immediately following this latter engagement, Mr. Bryan joined Price, and served
in Marauder’s brigade, remaining three months under the command of John A. Burbage, and continuing with Marmaduke and
Shelby, being actively engaged in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Missouri.
Surrendering with the
command at Shreveport, La., Mr. Bryan returned to Paris, and made his home in Monroe County until 1873, when he settled
in Clinton County, six miles from Plattsburgh, and there devoted himself to the pursuit of agriculture. In 1875 Mr.
Bryan bought a fine farm, two and one-half miles south of Plattsburgh, and prosperously engaged in the culture of the
soil until he was elected to the office of Sheriff. Since 1890 Mr. Bryan and his family have resided in a pleasant home
in Plattsburgh. The estimable wife, with whom Mr. Bryan was united in marriage January 16, 1871, was Miss Mary L.
McCann, a daughter of Pleasant McCann, of Monroe County. She was born in this latter county, where she was also reared
and educated. Four children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan, the eldest, George C., now serving as Deputy Sheriff
under his father. Charles A., Clara A., and Allie L., who complete the list of this family group of bright, attractive
young people, are social favorites with a large circle of friends.
Mr. Bryan is a valued member' of the Christian Church, and active in the extension of the good works of that religious organization. Politically, he is a strong Democrat. From early manhood he has been an important factor in the development and advancement of prominent and leading interests of his native State, and has most worthily won the esteem and confidence of the general public, which he now firmly holds in his dual capacity of private citizen and county official.
From the Book: Portrait and biographical record of Buchanan and Clinton Counties,
Missouri
Chapman Bros. 1883
Biographical
Record of John S. Bryan, page 438.
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