William Joel Bryan

William Joel Bryan (December 14, 1815 – March 3, 1903) was a Texas soldier and land owner.

Bryan was born at Hazel Run in Sainte Genevieve County, Missouri to James Bryan and Emily Austin Bryan. He attended school at Potosi until 1830. In 1831, W. J. Bryan's mother and stepfather James F. Perry followed Stephen F. Austin to Texas. [Raines 34.] They settled in the eastern part of Brazoria County, Texas. In 1832, the family moved to Peach Point Plantation, where Bryan was instructed by a governess and his stepfather took care of the plantation, cattle and other such property of Bryan's uncle Stephen F. Austin.

In 1835, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. Bryan took his part in the revolution at his uncle's side, along with the rest of the Brazoria County Volunteers, during the siege of Bexar. He also served with Sam Houston in the retreat of the army across Texas. However, he became ill with the measles shortly before the battle of San Jacinto. [Holley 108.] Between 1836 and 1839 he served as an overseer at Peach Point.

In April 1840, he married Lavinia Perry, his stepfather's niece. The two of them settled at Duranzo Plantation, an extension of Peach Point Plantation given to them as a wedding gift. [Raines 35.] The couple had seven children, four of whom joined the Confederate Army. During the Civil War, Bryan fed Confederate troops stationed at the mouth of the Brazos at his own expense.

In 1865 he granted the Houston & Texas Central Railroad a right-of-way through his land in Brazos County. [Hudnall 429.] A projected townsite, Bryan, Texas was named in his honor. [Young 225.] Bryan gave the town financial assistance and helped to establish its bank. Bryan was a member of the Texas Veteran's Association.

Notes

Bibliography

*Holley, Mary Austin (1965). "The Texas Diary". James Perry Bryan, editor. Austin: University of Texas Press.
*Hudnall, Ken (2005). "Spirits of the Border V: The History and Mystery of the Lone Star State". El Paso: Omega.
*Raines, C. W. (1903). "Year Book for Texas". Austin: Gammel Statesman.
*Young, Kimberly (1999). "Adventure Guide Texas". Edison, NJ: Hunter Publishing.