The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1908-07-15
THE EARLY LIFE
Of v. J. BRYAN
His Birth, BOyhOod and
First Years in Law
and Politics.
His Cred:table Career in Con-
greSS and His Work
in Journalism.
By ROBERTUs LOVE.


yond all question to more
hearers than has any other
man in the worlds history"
says one who Travelled with William
Jennings Bryan during the presiden-
tial campaigns Of 1896 and 1900, and
there is no doubt as to the truth of the
statement
The purpose Of this article is briefly
to sketch the life of Mr. Bryan up to
the age of thirty-six, when he was
nominated by the Democratic party for
the presidency of the United States. 1t
is a life possible only to American pol
tiles, and, whether or not Mr.. Bryan
shall reach the presidency, it is an in
teresting chapter in United States po-
litical history.
The town of Salem, ILL.,, is the birth
place of Bryan. Judge Silas L. Bryan.
a substantial, intellectual settler from
Virginia, was his father. Maria Eliza
beth Jennings was his mothers maiden
name. The child was born March 10,
1860. Judge Bryan lived on a farm
near the edge of town. He had nine
children, Of whom William Jennings
Is the fourth. The boy grew up out
doors, drinking the daily medicine OF
sunshine and the open air. His phys
zeal constitution, a marvel Of robust
ness and energy, came by Inheritance
and was nurtured by wholesome and
healthfui environment in boyhood.
Bryan attended the public schools in
Salem until he was fifteen. when he
entered Whipple academy at Jackson
Vile. Ill. Two years later he matricu-
lated in Illinois college, in the same
city, from which institution he was
graduated with honors at the age OF
twenty-oue. During his college course
his oratorical abilities made him prom
inent in middle western collegiate life.
He won the honor Of representing his
school in the state contest Of college
orators. He won that contest and rep
resented Illinois in 1881 at the inter
state oratorical contest held at Gales
burg, H., where he achieved second
honors. He was class orator at gradu-
alton.
jacksonville has n female seminary.
In that school Miss Mary L. Baird was
a student while young Bryan was In
Illinois college. She was from Perry,
Iii, and was Of excellent family and
an ambitious student. A bright young
man and Il bright young woman at,
tending college In the same town some
times emphasize the aphorism that like
attracts like. Perhaps that explains
why Bryan, after attending the Union
Law college in Chicago and reading
law at the same time In the office OF
Judge Lyman Trumbull. the celebrated
associate of Abraham Lincoln, re-
turned to Jacksonville to begin the
practice of his profession. Bryan and
Miss Baird were married shortly after
his return. Mrs. Bryan studied law in
order to assist her husband in his pro-
fessional work. After the Bryans re
moved to Lincoln. Neb., in 1887 Mrs.
Bryan was admitted to the bar. Mr..
Bryan became junior partner In the
law firm Of Talbot & Bryan. He be-
lieved there was more opportunity for
a rising young lawyer in new state
a belief assuredly well grounded in his
own case.
Bryan plunged into politics In the
spring Of 1888, and that became his life
vocation instead Of the law. He was
elected a delegate TO the Democratic
state convention at Omaha, where he
made speech strongly advocating
free trade; also he made n reputation
as a speaker. He was only twenty
eight years old. yet the very next year
the party leaders offered him the nom-
nation for the lieutenant governorship
OF Nebraska. He declined the offer,
but made a stumplng campaign for the
ticket throughout the state.
The next year, 1890, the young De-
mocracy thrust upon the young De-
mosthenes from Illinois the nomination
for congressman from the First dis
trict. j. Sterling Morton, who In his
time was father OF Arbor day aud a
member OF President Cleveland's cab
met, had been defeated In the race for
congress from that district In 1888 by
Republican majority Of more than
5000 votes Scarcely anybody expect
cd young Bryan to win. He was not
80 very sanguine himself, but he made
an oratorical campaign and defeated
Congressman Connell by iearly 1900
votes. In Omaha, where Connell lived.
Bryan was sneered at as "that Lincoln
boy" 1t was the reaction against the
new Mckinley tarin that elected Bry-
an-that and the silver tongue of the
Lincolnian lad.
30 at thirty Bryan was chosen to the
national house Of representatives. He
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8.