Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-07-30
DEMOCRACYS
(. CANDIDATE.
Sketch of William Jen-
/ nings Bryan.
THE MAN AND HIS RECORD.
An Eloquent Champion of the
Common People.
HIS WIFE, FAMILY AND HOME.

His Birth and Education-Eloquent In His
Early Years-His Career In Congress
His Famous Campaign For Congress.
His Wife, His Home and His Family.
William Jennings Bryan, the Demo
cratic nominee for president Of the
United States, is but 36 years of age,
year older than the limit of eligibility
provided for by the constitution. But
he has the appearance-despite his
smooth face-the ripe wisdom and the
experience in politics and business of a
man much older
He was born on q farm just outside
the little town of Salem, Ills, in the
year 1850 His father, lawyer of high
standing, represented the Salem district
in the state senate for years and was
circuit judge for IL years.
Judge Bryan had strong religious
sentiments and peculiar habit of
opening his court with devotional exer-
oises, and at noon the court always ad-
journed for prayer.
DR.. Hill says that Bryan was re-
markable child in his tender years, and
could read and write before he was
years old
Born Orator.
His oratorical powers were developed
at very early age. When but mere
boy, he was accustomed to stand up be-
fore his playmates at school and ON the
street and pour forth words of eloquence.
This wonderful gift brought distinction
to him in his childhood, and when he
had reached his twelfth year his father
took him to great Democratic demon
stration in Centralia, Ills, and there the
boy began his political career
After hearing addresses from the
most distinguished men i'll the state, the
lad mounted the platform. He had pro-
ceeded but a short time when the audi
ence had become spellbound under the
sway Of the boy orators burning elo-
quence.
Soon ripple Of applause greeted the
speaker; then the audience, catching up
the enthusiasm of the young hero, be-
came tumultuous and he could scarcely
proceed because Of the deafening cheers
which greeted every sentence.
1t was great triumph for the boy
orator and he was surrounded by those
present and carried away on the shoul- |
ders of strong men. The whole country
around Centralia was electrified, and
young Bryan was made one Of the chief |
attractions during the campaign.
Young Bryan was instructed at home |
until 10 years old. Then followed five |
years in the public schools; two years
in Whipple academy at Jacksonville, |
Ills, and two years at the Jacksonville |
(Ills. college. He graduated from the
latter institution in 1881 as orator and !
valedictorian of his class. Soon after
ward he entered the Union Law college |
at Chicago, from which he graduated |
in 1888.
He was connected with the law office |
of ex-United States Senator Lyman |
Trumbull for time, and later opened |
an Office in Jacksonville, Ills, but re-
moved to Nebraska's capital in 1887 |
and began to gain prominence.
He was elected to congress III the
First Nebraska district in 1890 over w. /
J. Connell of Omaha, and was reelected |
in 1892 over Allen w. Field Of Lincoln.
In 1894 Mr.. Bryan declined a third |
nomination, and was nominated by the
Democratic state convention for United |
States senator by the unanimous vote of |
the convention. The Republicans, how
ever, had majority in the legislature,
and Bryan was defeated for the senator
ship. Since Mr.. Bryan's congress term |
expired he has given his time exclusively |
to spreading the doctrine Of free silver. |
He first appeared in the political arena
of Nebraska in the campaign of 1888.
when he stumped the First district for
J. Sterling Morton, nominee for con-
gress The same year he declined a
for lieutenant governor. On