Independence, America & the Bryans

There are days when I wonder what gets into parents when they set about naming children --- yesterday, today and (presumably) tomorrow.

Take Inda Bryan (1853-1932), for example, whose tombstone is located in Oxford Cemetery, a short distance northeast of Chariton.

As it turns out, "Inda" was an abbreviated version of "Independence," a given name imposed by her parents, John Mark and Massa Ann Bryan, upon birth in Kentucky.

And her younger sister, who was born in 1854 and went on to marry Isaac Newton Threlkeld, was named America Ann.

The only son in this family, James Buchanan Bryan (1856-1936), was born a few days after his namesake was elected 15th president of these United States of America.

Sadly, I can't fit the siblings' sister, Emzy Ellen, born during 1855, into this patriotic scheme of things. She married James Lack and died during 1913.

Their mother, Massa Ann, died in Kentucky during 1858 and James brought Inda and Emzy with him to Lucas County ca. 1864. America and James B. were taken in by relatives and arrived later.

Here's more information about Independence --- her obituary as published in The Herald-Patriot of May 19, 1932:

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Independence Bryan was born in the state of Kentucky on the 16th day of February, 1853, and died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Thompson, near Chariton, Iowa, on the 11th day of May, 1932, at the age of 79 years, 2 months and 25 days.

Independence Bryan was the daughter of John Bryan and Ann Abrams Bryan. Being left motherless at the age of five years, she came to Iowa with her father about the year 1863. After coming to Iowa she lived on a farm in Lucas county with her father until his death, which occurred on January 3, 1893. For the past twenty-six years she has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Thompson in Lincoln township.

At the age of fourteen years she united with the Christian church near Belinda, Iowa, and remained a faithful and consistent member until her death.

She leaves to mourn her loss one brother, J. B. Bryan, one sister, Mrs. I. N. Threlkeld, both of Lincoln township, a large number of nephews and nieces, and a host of friends.

She was laid to rest in the Oxford cemetery beside her father on Friday afternoon, May 13, 1932, following funeral services held at the Christian church at two o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. R. F. Allen.