Western Pennsylvania Genealogy
Compiled by Douglas H. Lusher


Family Group Record



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John Henry Bryan and Mary Elizabeth Null


Husband John Henry Bryan 1 2 

           Born: 26 Jan 1842 - Ruffsdale, East Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA 1 3
     Christened: 
           Died: Aft 1917
         Buried: 


         Father: Samuel Bryan (1812-      ) 2 4
         Mother: Mary E. Suter (1815-      ) 4


       Marriage: 25 Dec 1867 5

Wife Mary Elizabeth Null 4 5 

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Aft 1917
         Buried: 


         Father: Jonathan Null (      -Bef 1906) 6 7 8
         Mother: Mary Seanor (      -1885) 7 8 9


Children
1 F Minnie E. Bryan 4 

            AKA: Mary Elma Bryan 5
           Born: 1869 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 1878 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

2 M William Franklin Bryan 4 5 

           Born: 1871 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 1878 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

3 F Mary Etta Bryan 4 5 

           Born: 1873 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: W. P. Houser (      -      ) 4

4 F Luella May Bryan 4 5 

           Born: 1875 4 5
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Arthur Yockey (      -      ) 5

5 M Cyrus Austin Bryan 4 5 

           Born: 1876 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 1878 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

6 F Daisy Pearl Bryan 4 5 

           Born: 1880 4 5
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: William T. Keller (      -      ) 5

7 F Elizabeth Alettia Bryan 5 

            AKA: Elizabeth C. Bryan 4
           Born: 1882 4 5
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Ross G. Wible (      -      ) 5

8 F Effie Frances Bryan 4 5 

           Born: 1884 4 5
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: William Davis (      -      ) 5

9 F Emma Jane Bryan 4 5 

           Born: 1887 4 5
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: J. B. Henderson (      -      ) 5

General Notes: Husband - John Henry Bryan


He received his education in the common schools of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and the Mount Pleasant Institute, in which he spent eleven weeks. He was of a studious disposition, anxious to acquire knowledge, and though his educational advantages were limited, by his own perseverance and industry he soon qualified himself for the position of teacher and was granted a certificate by the state authorities, and was engaged in school teaching in East Huntingdon township for twenty-five years. Beginning in 1878 he was engaged in the conduct of the old homestead farm, on which he erected an entirely new set of buildings. The farm comprised one hundred and thirty-six acres of land, situated one mile from Ruffsdale, on the S. W. railroad. In his political relations Mr. Bryan accorded allegiance to the Democratic party, and though deeply interested in all party affairs, he never aspired to the honors or emoluments of public office. He was a lecturer in the Patrons of Husbandry, Mendon Grange, No. 855. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and was an elder and deacon in same beginning in 1872. For twelve years he was Sunday school superintendent.

In the year 1908 the house which had been erected on the farm was destroyed by fire, but Mr. Bryan at once rebuilt it. He continued to carry on general farming operations most actively up to the year 1915, when he decided to retire from active life entirely. Accordingly, retaining some thirteen acres of the original farm, to which he added twenty-six acres of adjacent land purchased by him, he sold the remainder of the old homestead, and in company with his son-in-law, Mr. R. G. Wible, built a charming little house on his new property. There he resided, enjoying a well-earned rest. Mr. Bryan was not, however, a man who could find happiness in idleness, and while he did not farm on the same extensive and intensive scale as formerly, he nevertheless took much pleasure in cultivating his property and was particularly fond of trying experiments there. His house was supplied with water from a system of his own, and he was especially interested in the growth of alfalfa. He also devoted some time and attention to the insurance business, and especially in connection with the Mendon Grange Fire Insurance Company, which was started in 1902 and of which he was a director. He acted as agent for this company and supervised its business in a certain territory and also took charge of the adjustment of losses there.
Mr. Bryan was for many years a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, but while deeply interested in the affairs of its local organization, never felt any desire to hold public office. He nevertheless served for four years on the School Board, a position for which his long experience as a teacher particularly well fitted him. His talent as teacher had opportunity to express itself also through his position as a lecturer in the Patrons of Husbandry, Mendon Grange, No. 855.
Mr. Bryan was a Lutheran in his religious belief and was for many years associated with the church of that denomination at Ruffs Dale. Like his father, he held a position as elder and deacon thereof. He was also active as superintendent of the Sunday school of that church, and did much to advance its interests in the community.

Surrounded by their children and grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bryan celebrated on Christmas Day, 1917, the golden anniversary of their wedding at their home near Ruffs Dale. After an elaborate dinner a program of singing, prayer, and praise service appropriate to the occasion was used, and an address was made by Mr. Bryan. Six daughters, accompanied by their husbands, and fifteen grandchildren attended, besides a number of friends.

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Sources

1 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 305.

2 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 603.

3 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 604.

4 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 306.

5 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 605.

6 Samuel T. Wiley, Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: John M. Gresham & Co., 1890.), Pg 259.

7 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 148.

8 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 751.

9 George P. Donehoo, Pennsylvania - A History (SW) (New York, NY; Chicago, IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1926), Pg 94.

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