The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-10-13
THE ANCESTRY OF BRYAN.
Prominent AID Successful in Law
and Politics.
Geo. II. Harris in Denver Times.

and Politics
Geo ii. Harris in Denver Times.
The element OF popularity which
characterizes y name that has beer
honored at home and has also beer
made conspicuous by the acknowledged
reverence OF foreign nations, ia in it.
self a sufficient proof OF the popula,
esteem and appreciation OF the merit,
and actual worth of the individual who
bears the name.
Bryan is by no means common
name. There are very many name:
that appears moro frequently In the
directory lists than this name does
Yet there are but very few names that
have been more prominent in the no
lltical history of our nation, that have
received a greater degree OF distinc.
tlon or have had more honorable
mention by the American people. The
services of men bearing the name OF
Bryan who have held positions upon
the supreme bonch, or who have filed
cabinet positions, and have been sent
as ambassadors to foreign courts, have
boenrecognjzed and justly appreciated
both at home and abroad.
There appears to have been one or
two divisions in the Bryan family. The
thrice nominated candidate for presi-
dentlal honors came from the family of
Bryaus who first settled in Virginia.
This branch Of tho family. like all the
other descendants of the Bryans, were
largely inclined to the legal profession
and the title of Judge Bryan has been
OF common occurrence. Early in the
forties Henry Bryan, Of OIean, N. Y,
moved his family from that town to
Naclne' Wis, where he established a
MIR. Bryan was the first mayor of the
city OF tacine and was also Judge of
! the county court Of Racine County. The
Hon. John A. Bryan, of Meenah, WisF
studied law with his brother, the late
Judge Henry Bryan, and became in
course OF time one OF the most Dro,ni-
nent men OF his day. Judge John A.
Bryan held cabinet position and was
also minister to South America. Cor
nella Bryan, a daughter of the late
John a. Bryan, was the first wife of
Ex-Governor Weller, of California. Her
brother, Chas. A. Bryan, distinguished
himself in the legal profession and be-
come one of the foremost lawyers Of
California. Chas. A. Bryan has been
known to receive as q compensation for
single plea in behalf of the Marizep-
pa claim many thousands of dollars,
w P'eSS "hS oiulHdFy man in
comfortable circumstances for life.
Mr.. Chas. a. Bryan died very suddenly
few years ago in Nevada. While
eating dinner at IL hotel one day he
acciden tally swallowed a bone, which
produced strangulation, causing death
within very short time. The two
brothers of the Chicago Bryans have
also identified themselves with prom
inent positions at Washington, D. G.
Ono of the brothers was first assist
ant postmaster general. There are pc
culiar characteristics in the Bryan
family which establish beyond doubt
the relationship of this remarkable
family. The full face, & robust consti-
tuition, keen perceptive faculties, Ro-
man nose, lips closely pressed, indicat-
ing perseverance, aud indomitable will,
an untiring devotion to domestic rela-
tions, faithful and honest in every
position Of life, upright and candid in
all business transactions, friendly and
conhdng in all positions Of honor and
trust.
Tho Jacksonian Democracy perme-
atcd the views OF all the Bryans and
was early incorporated in the life of
every descendant. Nearly a half cen
tury ago, when John A. Bryan was a
resident of Ohio, and established the
town which still bears his name, the
precedent became established and has
almost universally Y remained true to its
original principles, that there was not
Bryan that ever suffered defeat,
whenever man OF this name under
took to obtain public Office.
Such was the determination and per-
severance OF these men that it was
thought unnecessary Oftentimes to make
any contest Of election or to show any
fight by nominating Is candidate enter
tanning different political opinions.
Some four or five years ago the writer's
WIFE, who IL u cousin Of the Hon. w. j.
Bryan, had occasion to write him, when
he was member OF Congress from Me-
braska. The closing sentence of Mr..
! Bryan's letter, which he wrote In reply
| to 'she letter sent him, indicates the
calib&., and staying qualities of the
man. He said that on account Of
extreme viS%s upon inc silver silver question
at that time he stood almost alone, and
WAS very unpopular at Washington be-
cause OF the stand he had taken upon
this question.
Glancing backward from the presen.
condition OF things, it is not difficult 10
Imagine the trying position in which
! this man WAS placed at that time, fight
Ing Tor q principle that he knew to be
right and ono that was for the best in
tereSts OF tfo American people. Like
other heroes and great thinkers, Bryan
lived In advance OF his time. Still the
great mass OF thinking people are be-
ginning TO appreciate the services
which the Hon. w. j. Bryan has ren.
dered them during the past five years.
The desire FOR popularity is universal
Every one thirsts for popular esteom
and the good will OF their fellow man.
This clement in mans character takes
its origin in widely different motives,
and Is seldom satisfied unless called
forth by noblo impulses or generous
thoughts. There are common, every.
day people whom the world admires,
because they unselfshly leave home
OF comfort and luxury for the purpose
OF min steriDg to tho wants Of The sick
and unfortunate. The gallant fireman
who braves t.: dangers OF O burning
house 10 save the life of some helples,
inmate is regarded as hero and W,
acknowledge his bravery.
Soft is in all spheres of life. Th,
man or woman who, from generous
impulse, risks danger or death fo
others, or who from q similar impuls,
becomes the subject OF suffering or In
convenience that others may be benefit
ed compcls the homage of every cogni
zant heart. We receive the world
: esteem only rs we pay for 1t in advance
: and even then our sacrifices will ayai
little or nothing unless they are mad
without re eIerence TO the object of gain
ingpopularity.. A good deed or PEI