BRYER-David E. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

David E. BRYER is the son of Robert H. and Dorcas Miller Bryer. Robert was born in PA March 3, 1801 married Dorcas Miller in Ohio moved to Fountain County, Indiana where David E. was born Jan 12, 1831 moved to Logansport in 1833 and followed contracting and bulding. He was an influential member of the Presbyterian CHurch. He died at his residence, 614 Market Street in 1839 (sic - this is incorrect since son below was born 5 years later - maybe 1889?). His third son, Robert, Jr. was born 1842 enlisted in the 46th Indiana Regiment and died in the service. David E. came with his parents to Logansport and resided here until his death June 19, 1904. He was united in marriage to Susanne Obenshain of Cass County May 16, 1855 and was blessed with 8 children, 4 of whom with the widow survive. Mr. Bryer was a member of the city council, 1857-9, internal revenue collector 1876-1884. He possessed a rare poetical and musical faculty and a large number of political songs for every campaign from 1856-1896 came from his pen. Many of these have been published in pamphlet form. He also composed church and Sunday School hymns and set the same to music. These were never collected and published, except an occasional one in a Sunday School paper. The following hymn was composed by Mr. Bryer some years prior to his death and directed to be sung at his funeral, which was done by the GAR quartette with whom he had so often sung and when the strains of the music, composed by the silent sleerp in the casket filled the room in solemn tones, every eye was dimmed with tears. There were four verses - we reproduce the 1st and last: Trusting in Thee Trusting dear Lord in Thee Trusting in Thee And in the atonement made On Calvary Jesus, with love divine Fill, fill this heart of mine Trusting dearl Lord in Thee Trusting in Thee Trusting dear Lord in Thee Savior in Thee For Thou has paid the price That ransomed me let Faith, hope and charity Fit us to dwell with Thee Trusting, dear Lord, in Thee, Father in Thee.