My Genealogy Hound

Robert C. Bryan is the son of William and Mahala D. (Benning) Bryan. The father was born in Virginia in 1802, and is a descendant of William and Margaret Bryan, who came from Ireland in 1718, and settled on Roanoke River, Va. The mother was born in Kentucky. When young they came to Missouri, Washington County, where they were married, and where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father engaged in farming and milling. He was a Whig in politics, and both he and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. He lived to be about fifty-one years old, and she about sixty-seven. The father and his brother built the Old Bryan Mill, first a buhr with a little shed over it, but now one of the best mills for flour and meal in this county. The great-grandfather, James Bryan, and two brothers, served under Gen. Green in the Revolutionary War. The Bryan family furnished seven soldiers for the Union army, and several for the War of 1812. Robert C. was the youngest but one of a family of ten, and was born in this county in 1844, educated in the old log schoolhouse, and when eighteen years of age volunteered in Company K of the Thirty-third Missouri Infantry, United States army, and served nearly three years. He participated in the battles of Helena, Arkansas, Nashville, Fort Spanish and Fort Blakely. At Fort Spanish he injured himself while lifting, in the construction of breastworks, and of course he receives a pension. In 1867 he married Miss Fannie Bryan, a distant relative, and a native of Washington County. Three children were born to this union: George R., Mollie and Zoe. Mrs. Bryan is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Bryan is a Mason, a member of the G. A. R., and is a Republican in politics. He inherited the old homestead consisting of 185 acres, has made this county his home all his life, and is accounted a good citizen.