A native of southern Ohio, William Bryan moved a few times over the years with his family before settling in Northwest Ohio. William James Bryan was found in the 1850 census in Blanchard, Hardin County with his parents, William C. and Elizabeth, and siblings, George, Isaac, Martha, Samuel and Eliza. William was sixteen.
He could not be found in the 1860 census, but official records show that he enlisted on April 27, 1861 into Company A, 21st Ohio Infantry. This unit was formed in northwest Ohio and enlisted first for 3 months. He was mustered out with his company on August 12, 1861. William was not listed on the roster for the three years service that followed for this regiment.
William married Sarah Newcomer in 1863, and by 1870, their family was enumerated on the census of Bryan, Williams County. At that time, they had three children: Elizabeth, 6, Byron E, 5 and Otis C., 2. William was farming, and listed only $100 as the total of his personal estate.
Again, the family could not be located for the 1880 census nor could William be found on the veterans census. But in 1900, the family had moved to Mark Township in Defiance County and were enumerated there. William was 65 by that time (born January 1835) and was still farming. Sarah was 59 and four children were at home: Elmer, 35 (probably Byron E) who was 35; William L. and Darla, who were both teachers; and Maude, who was only 14.
One more move brought the family to Farmer, Ohio by 1910, perhaps for their retirement home, as William was 75 and reported he worked at odd jobs. Sarah was 69 and with them were their daughter, Jessie B. Fickle, 37, who was divorced, and granddaugter, Beulah G. Fickle, 14. Jessie worked as a nurse for a private family.
William died on December 29, 1914 at the age of 79, almost 80.
The obituary for William James Bryan appeared in The Bryan Democrat on January 8, 1915:
"BRYAN
William James Bryan was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, January 11, 1835, and departed this life at Farmer, Ohio, December 29, 1914, aged 79 years, 11 months and 26 days. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Gaskell Bryan.
In the year 1861, he enlisted in the service of his country, being among the first to respond to the call for volunteers to defend the old flag of his fathers. He was assigned duty in the twenty-first regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged owing to disability contracted during his service.
On March 22 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Newcomer. To this union were born nine children, one of whom died in infancy.
He was a remarkable man in many respects. He was one of the few men who could and did make a sharp distinction between right and wrong. On all moral questions, he was ever found on the side of the right. With him, right was right and there must be no deviation from it as far as he was concerned.
In the year 1873, he united upon confession of faith with the Christian church of Bryan, his former home, and always clung steadfastly to that faith.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his faithful wife, eight children, eleven grandchildren, and one great grandchild, and one sister.
His funeral was conducted from the Union church at Farmer, Wednesday, December 29, 1914, by John A. Jayne, pastor of the Christian church at Bryan. The funeral was attended by a great number of friends who gathered from near and distant places to do him respect and honor.
Card of Thanks - To all who have been so kind to us during our sorrow, especially the trustees of the Union Church at Farmer, the male quartet and accompaniest, and many friends for floral tributes, we extend our heartfelt appreciation. Mrs. Sarah Bryan and Family."
William J. Bryan was a member of the Lew Bowker Post, G.A.R. at Farmer, Ohio.
William J. Bryan was a member of the Lew Bowker Post, G.A.R. at Farmer, Ohio.
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| Tombstone in Farmer Cemetery |
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