James Riley Bryant

James Riley Bryant and Paulina Thurber
Photo taken circa 1888

James Riley Bryant was born 18-Mar-1850 in Floyd County, Virginia as the son of Peter Bryant and Lucretia Wright.  He was a small boy when his parents moved west to Hancock County, Illinois.  He married Paulina Thurber on 16-Mar-1873 in Hancock County, Illinois.  Paulina was the daughter of William Thomas Thurber and Keziah Jane Langley.  James Riley Bryant was a mail carrier between Hazelville and Baring, and he died of a heart attack on 15-Dec-1896 in Baring, Knox County, Missouri while hitching a team of horses to his wagon.  He was laid to rest in the Slocum Cemetery located seven miles west of Greensburg, Knox County, Missouri.