Biography of Arthur Bryant of Princeton, Illinois

Arthur Bryant (deceased) was born in Cummington, Mass., November 28, 1803. In 1830 he came to Jacksonville, Ill., but in the fall of 1831 he returned to his native State, where he was united in marriage, May 10, 1832, to Henrietta R. Plummer, who was born in Pittsfield, Mass., October 17, 1812.

After marriage Mr. Bryant returned to Morgan County, Ill., with his wife, and resided there until November 1833, when they removed to Bureau County, and settled on Section 29, two miles south of Princeton. Here Mr. Bryant resided until his death, February 5, 1883. His widow is still living. They were the parents of the following children; Arthur, born October 15, 1834; Julian E., born November 9, 1836; Ellen A., born June 18, 1839; Joseph P., born March 25, 1845; Lester R., born September 8, 1848; Henrietta R., August 15, 1851; Adaline R. September 4, 1855. Henrietta R. died October 10, 1852. Julian E. was drowned May 14, 1865, in the Brazos River, Texas.

At the time of his death he was Colonel of a colored regiment, though he enlisted from this county in Company E, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was Lieutenant of the company.

Arthur Bryant, Jr. was born and educated in Bureau County. His early life was spent on his father’s farm, and in assisting in his nursery. When he started in life for himself he chose the same occupation, in which he had spent most of his youth. For several years he was interested in the nursery on the old homestead two miles south of Princeton. In 1869 he began to break ground for his present place, and in 1870 began planting stock, and has extended the business till it reached its present immense proportions.

September 19, 1864, he was united in marriage to Lizzie Hughes, born February 18, 1842, in Steubenville, Ohio. Her father, George Hughes, was born in Ireland, March 10, 1809, and died October 6, 1880, in Washington, Ill. His wife, Cassandra Jones, was born in Virginia, December 6, 1819, and is now living in Washington, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have eight children, viz.: Lucy H., born June 26, 1865; Harry G., born February 18, 1867; Buy A., born December 12, 1868; Henrietta, born May 5, 1871; Cassandra, born August 6, 1873; Lester P., born April 7, 1875; Ralph C., born January 22, 1877; Edith W., born December 1, 1878.

Mr. Bryant is a member of the State Horticultural Society, and in politics is identified with the Republican party.

Ellen A. Bryant, daughter of Arthur Bryant (deceased), was married to Clement Freeman.

Lester R., son of Arthur Bryant (deceased) was married March 7, 1877, to Jane L. Huntington. They have three children, viz.: Hattie, Arthur, Frank.

Source: History of Bureau County, Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Editor. World Publishing Company Chicago 1885

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