Sacramento County
Biographies
HON. WILLIAM EVERMONT BRYAN
HON. WILLIAM EVERMONT BRYAN was born in Kentucky
October 29, 1821; resided in Campbell County
until thirty-two years old, except one winter he spent in Indiana,
when he emigrated to California
with ox teams. After a long and tedious trip of seven months he arrived
in El Dorado County
in September, 1853. After a few days of non-success at mining, he turned
his attention to freighting to the mines and mining towns, first with horse
teams later with ox teams and lastly with mules and horse teams, which business
he continued during the gold and silver excitement of Nevada, and until the
railroad crossed the Sierras, in 1867, when he sold most of his teams and
turned his attention to farming and sheep-raising. In the meantime he
located on the Folsom grant, thirteen miles from Sacramento,
and purchased 4,200 acres. Continued in the sheep business with the sons
until 1876, when he divided the land among his four children. Mr. Bryan
was married October 21, 1845, to Miss Mary Gregg Herndon, also a native of Kentucky.
There were five children: Mrs. Maggie C. Morris, a native of Kentucky,
born August 21, 1846, Alonzo W., a native of Kentucky, born September 30, 1848;
Elijah H., also a native of Kentucky, born December 20, 1850; Mary D., born
also in Kentucky, and William F. Bryan, a native of California, born August 3,
1855. Mr. Bryan in early life was a Whig, but has since inclined to the
Independent party, which, in 1876, elected him a member of the Assembly, where
he served on term with distinction. He has always taken an active part in
public affairs. In September, 1880, he removed to Alameda,
where he has since made his home. During his residence in that city he
was twice elected a member of the board of city trustees, and was sought after
to again take a seat, but owing to pressure of business and other arrangements
declined.
Transcribed
by Karen Pratt.
Davis, Hon. Win. J., An
Illustrated History of Sacramento County,
California. Pages 550-551. Lewis Publishing
Company. 1890.
© 2006 Karen Pratt.