My Genealogy Hound

T. D. O. Bryan, grocer of Versailles, has been a resident of that city since 1867, and has been engaged in the mercantile business during that time. He was born in Cooper County, Mo., in 1840, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Hall) Bryan, the father a native of North Carolina and the mother of Kentucky. The father moved to Cooper County, Mo., in 1832, settled on a farm, and there died in 1858, at the age of sixty-six years. The mother died in Versailles in 1877, at the age of seventy-seven years, and both were members of the Baptist Church. The father was active in public affairs, and was a strong Whig, anti-slavery man. Five sons survived the parents: Redick (now a farmer of Randolph County, Mo.), Benjamin (deceased), Caleb (now in Arkansas, and a minister in the Christian Church), Dixon (now engaged in farming), T. D. O. and J. (who now resides in Arkansas). T. D. O. Bryan remained on the farm with his father until twenty-seven years of age, and secured a fair education in the public schools. He then came to Morgan County, and opened a general store at Gravois Mills, where he built a lead furnace, the first in the county, and operated the same for eleven years. He then mined for five years, thus demonstrating the fact that there was mineral in paying quantities in Morgan County. Later Mr. Bryan came to Versailles and established a general store, which he operated for several years. He then engaged in the implement business, which he continued, and has been engaged in merchandising ever since. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Laura Greens, a native of Cooper County, and the fruits of this union are these children: William, Elizabeth (wife of Joshua Kidwell), Eva, Flora, Mollie, Erie, Lola and Roy. Mr. Bryan’s first wife died in 1879. She was the mother of his first four children. His second marriage was to Miss Louisa Craven, a native of Indiana, and the mother of the last four of the children. She died in 1885. In 1886 Mr. Bryan married Miss Mary Hanna. He is a member of the Christian Church, is also a member of the A. F. & A. M., and now holds the office of public administrator. He is a Democrat in politics, and one of the substantial citizens of the county. He and a partner own 700 acres of land.