Bryant - James R.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly, Friday, April 7, 1899
James R. Bryant, one of the best known citizens of Crawfordsville, died very suddenly last Saturday at two o'clock in his metalic cresting factory on Pike street. He had made no complaint of being ill during the day and had been quite busy with his work. He was standing by the stove and speaking to Will Poole said: "When are these goods to be shipped?" Before an answer could be given he suddenly gasped and fell forward on his face, dying instantly. Dr. Ristine was called in and pronounced that death was probably due to heart disease. Mr. Bryant had never been troubled with this complaint and had of late made no statement of even feeling otherwise than in perfect health. In the room when he died were his son, Will, Mr. Poole and several others. Soon after his death his family was apprised and the members were fairly prostrated by their terrible calamity. Mr. Bryant was born in Hertford county, North Carolina, July 15, 1830, and was the son of Benjamin and Ann Miller Bryant. James R. Bryant enjoyed but few educational advantages. At the age of fifteen years he began merchandising, and before he was married became a merchant handling his own stock, in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. On January 14, 1851, he was married to Miss Aura E. Rayner, of Bertie county, North Carolina. Mr, and Mrs. Bryant, leaving the land of their birth, located in Indianapolis, whare Mr. Bryant entered the dry goods house of W.H. Glenn as salesman, and also had charge of the wholesales department. He remained with this firm until he was elected state librarian, Jan. 14, 1857. After the close of his official career he engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery trade in Indianapolis, in 1860, and 1861 bought 400 acres of land near Romney, in Tippecanoe county. This farm was known as Pilot Grove farm, a name given by the Indiana's, as the grove served as a landmark for the redmen. On this beautiful farm the Bryant's lived until 1877, when Mr. Bryant engaged in the hardware business in Crawfordsville. During the 80's Mr. Bryant sold his hardware business and for some time operated a shoe store very successfully. Later he sold this a purchased the Crawfordsville Argus, a paper he managed for several months. Selling this he entered the real estate and loan business in which he continued until he had the late J.H. Watson purchased the Hood Nelson metallic creating patents. They continued partners for some time and on dissolving partnership, his factory doing a large business. He leaves a family, composed of his wife and three children, the children being Will H. Bryant, Mrs. ED Bosworth and Mrs. Newman Essick of Los Angelas, Cal. Mrs. Essick had reached home for a visit only Friday evening, being accompanied from St. Louis by Mrs. Bosworth, who had been there with her husband for some time. It had been planned to have a family dinner Sunday and Mr. Bryant was looking forward to this occasion with great pleasure. Mr. Bryant was one of the leading members of the official board. he was everywhere respected as a generous hearted gentleman and his kindly way endeared him to all who knew him. His loss to the community is a great one and with the afflicted family the entire city deeply sympathizes. - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 7 April 1899
The funeral of James R. Bryant occurred from the family residence on East Wabash Avenue last Tuesday with an unusually large concourse of people attending. The official board of the First M. E. Church of which Mr. Bryant had long been a member, attended in a body. A quartette choir composed of Messrs Davis and Spratt and Misses Wilson and Lee sang two selections, “Jesus Lover of My Soul,” and “I’ve Anchored My Soul in the Haven of Rest,” hymns that had always been favorites of Mr. Bryant. The scriptural reading was by Dr. S. B. Town, of Greencastle, and the prayer by Dr. Cissel. Then remarks were made by Dr. Brumbaugh, Dr. Town and Dr. Cissel. The floral tributes were many and very beautiful. The pallbearers were: Messrs B. F. Crabbs, C. D. Brown, U. M. Scott, M. W. Bruner, I. A. Detchon and Warren Ashley acted as honorary pallbearer. The interment occurred at Oak Hill Cemetery and many followed the body to its last resting place. - s