A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri

"In the 1870's Robert Rose spent much of his time riding about the countryside, interviewing as many people as possible, particularly the old timers...persuaded William S. Bryan...to edit, rewrite and publish his findings in a book." -Teche New, June 6, 1984

"An early history, written about pioneer days...deals liberally with Daniel Boone, ...celebrated Indian Chief Black Hawk...early days in Missouri...sketches the early history of more than 800 families in the counties of Audrain, St. Charles, Warren, Callaway, and Montgomery." -Mexico (Missouri) Ledger, Jan. 30, 1936

"A lot of stories, genealogies and histories of interest...includes so many families it would be impossible to list them all...would be to your advantage to look at this book." -Herald-Journal, March 27, 1943

"William Smith Bryan, 94, pioneer Missouri editor and author died here today...he wrote 'Pioneer Families of Missouri.'" -Springfield (Missouri) Leader and Press, July 14, 1940

"Author, historian and journalist, Mr. Bryan leaves as his best known works Pioneer Families of Missouri which was published in 1876 with Robert Rose as coauthor." -Southwest Mail (Nevada, Missouri), Oct. 4, 1940

What part of the U.S. did most of the pioneer families originate from when they moved West into Missouri when that section of the country opened up for homesteads?

William Bryan's 1876 book "A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri" was written as after his travel by horse with his associate Robert Rose across five counties in Missouri where they interviewed local residents for much of the history found in his book. The counties included were: Audrain, Callaway, Montgomery, St. Charles and Warren.

The first part of the book is devoted to Daniel Boone and his role in the settlement of Missouri. Then follows the general early history of Missouri including the first American settlements, Indian narratives, Indian wars, New Madrid Earthquake, and antiquities. Next he covers the family histories obtained from interviewing early pioneer family members.

In introducing their book, Bryan writes:

"The histories of more than eight hundred pioneer families of the five counties embraced in this work are given, with the names of their children, and other matters of interest. Mr. Rose has personally visited one or more members of each family whose history is given, and from his notes thus obtained the histories have been written."

In discussing the archaeological evidence of the earliest residents of Missouri, Bryan note:

"There are evidences to show that this pigmy race of people lived contemporaneously with the mastodon, that immense antediluvian animal which has been extinct for unnumbered centuries."

In discussing notable Indian encounters, Bryan writes:

"Strode, a scout and Indian fighter of early days in Kentucky, was captured on one occasion by a large party of Indians, and as they knew him well he expected immediate death or future torture at the stake. But he determined to make the best of his misfortune, and show his captors that he was not afraid of them; so he jumped on to a log and crowed like a chicken, at the same time moving his arms like a chicken flapping its wings."

About the authors:

The Missouri Bryan line of William Smith Bryan (1846-1940) started with James, a brother of Rebecca Bryan Boone, wife of Daniel Boone. James and his children had followed Daniel and Rebecca to the Upper Louisiana Territory in 1800, along with him his six motherless children. Jonathan Bryan was one of those early pioneer children. Co-author Robert Rose whose history is less well known died in 1878.

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