The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-11
BY WALTER EDWARD HARRIS.
= EDREW JACKSON. Henry Clay

- NpREW JACKSON. Henry Clay
~ Grover Cleveland. and Will
GZ liam Jennings Bryan share
the distinction of having beer
three times candidate O
ono Of the two greatest ipolitica
the gift of the American PEG,
Pile. Two OF the four three times re.
ceived majority Of all the votes cast
and two were elected to the presidency
Mr., Clay was three times defeated
Mr. Bryan has been twice defeated
Yet practical unity OF that conven-
tIon at Denver just ended demonstrates
that with two defeats behind him, he Is
still the overwhelming choice-the idol
cratic party. Twice Mr.. Bryan has
gone to defeat on battle-ground
which he himself selected, yet Bryan
In defeat commands tho love and loyal.
ty Of more Americans than any other
living man, with the possible exception
OF the triumphant Roosevelt.
Father virginian.
Should Mr.. Bryan be elected to the
presidency he will be the third grand
son OF Virginia to reach the White
House. His father, silas Lillard
Bryan was born in Culpeper county
Il in that portion which Is now included
in Rappahapnoek. The elder Bryan
was man OF some education and Of
intense religious convictions He was
judge of county court In Illinois.
whittier he removed before the war.
and 1t is said that he WAS In the habit
of adjourning his court in the middle
OF the day In order to engage in his
man was in the habit OF having family
I~t
was stern Baptist How William
Jennings came to be blue stocking
Presbyterian has never been explained
to the public The broad impress which
the religious father made upon the
sons character Is manifested at all
times. No American has ever quoted
the Bible so extensively In public ad-
dresses as Mr.. Bryan: In fact, some Of
his critics have thought. or professed
TO think. that he carried this practice
rather to an tnordlnate extent. but
more Impartial observers have recog-
nized Mr.. Bryan's readiness at scrip.
tural quotation as source OF great
strength.
Mr.. Bryan has manifested In many
ways his fondness for his grand.
mother. the State In which his father
was born. He has made MANY ad.
dresses political and otherwise. IN
virginia, always, of course. to great
crowds. His youngest daughter. Miss
Grace. Is being educated at Hollins
Institute.
Forty-etght years have passed into
history since the boy, whom his parents
ehrlstened William Jennings, first saw
the light in Salem. Ill His birthday
was March 10, 1860. He has but q
aim recollection Of the events of the
war hetwfen:-tise States as they were
discussed In the little illinois town a
me news came from the front. 1t Is
PROBABLE that many Of the sympathfes
o. sl!as Bryan were with the Virginia
boys IN the field, though the time and
inc place were not suitable for the
EXPRESSION of such feelings Mr.. Bryan
N later life has often expressed his
aamira ton for the Southern people
and for the valor OF the soldiers Of tho
Confederacy.
Worked on Farm.
Mr. Bryan's father owned farm OF
900 acres. William Jennings worked
on the farm like ans other farmers
. boy Mrs. Bryan in biograp hical
sketch Of her husband, says his work
was feeding the deer, which his father
Kept in small park. and helping care
for the pigs and chickens. His favorlte
( sport was rabbit hunting with dogs.
am not sure" says Mrs. Bryan,
that these expeditions We're harmful
to the game, but they have furnished
his only fund Of adventure for our
& children" Mr.. Bryan Joined the Cum.
berland Presbyterian Church when
fourteen wears Of age. In 1881 he
graduated at Illinois College, at Jack,
sonville. with high honors He then
u took the course at the Union College OF
! Law, at Chicago. and graduated in
1883 He hung out his single in
Jacksonville. There was weary wait
III 81 months before his first client came
Then his affairs took turn for tho
better and by the first Of October,
1884 he was doing 30 well that he
thought II was safe for him to under.
take to keep wife. SO he and Miss
i Mary Baird were married The two
#5Ylrst met while he was q student at
81 Illinois College, and she was attend.
tnE the PRESBYTERIAN Academy In the
same town. IT Ia Interesting to know
\ Mrs. Rrrar's fir.t Imnre<sion OF Her
d. future hushart1 eha snvv.
First View OF Him,
II saw HIN first IN tic ra~Iors OF the