George W. Bryax, an industrious farmer of Brandywine 
Township, and one of her honored citizens, was born in Pendleton 
Countv, Ky., September 30, 1844. He was the youngest of eleven 
children, eight sons and three daughters, born to Hampton and 
Margaret (Gosney) Br3'an, both natives of Campbell County, K}-., 
the former of whom was born in 1796, and died September 20, 
1844. The latter, who was the daughter of Benjamin Gosney, 
was born August 5, 1803. His seven brothers were: William E., 
Benjamin L., Daniel B., Zachariah G., Napoleon B., John S., and 
Joseph H., of whom Zachariah G., John S. and Joseph H. are de- 
ceased. His three sisters were: Nancy M., Mary M. and Min- 
erva R., all of whom are living. As will be seen above, the father 
of our subject died before the latter was born. When he was yet 
a child about two 3'ears old his widowed mother removed to Camp- 
bell County, Ky., where was reared upon a farm. He attended the 
district school in winter, in which he received the rudiments of an 
education. At sixteen years of age he took up the avocation of a 
teacher and at that time taught two terms. At the age of eighteen 
or in Februar}', 1863, he entered the service of the Confederate 
Army in Company C, First Kentucky Battalion, Mounted Riflemen, 
with which he served until the 7th day of the following October, 
when he was taken prisoner at Shelbyville, Tenn. After an im- 
prisonment of seventeen months at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, he 



BRANDYWINE SKETCHES. 607 

was given his freedom, after which he remained for some time in 
this State. He returned to Campbell County, Ky., in the spring 
of 1S66, and resumed the avocation of a farmer and school teacher. 
He continued to teach in winter and farm in summer, until the 
spring of 1870, when he returned to this State and during one sum- 
mer he was engaged in private study at Franklin, Johnson County. 
During the two winters that followed he taught school in that county. 
His marriage to Mary E. Murphy occurred March 21, 1872. She was 
born in Hendricks Township, this count}^ October 21, 1847. She was 
the daughter of Samuel and Sophia E. (Vaughan) Murphy, the 
former a native of L3^coming County, Penn., of Irish descent, 
and the latter a native of Preble County, Ohio, of English descent. 
Her paternal grandparents were John and Jane (Porter) Murphy 
who were natives of Ireland. Her maternal grandparents w^ere 
Thomas and Sarah (Slayback) Vaughan, the former a native of 
England, and the latter a native of New Jersey. Mrs. Bryan had 
two brothers, and live sisters, as follows: Sarah J., John T., 
Martha E., Annie J., George S., Ora J., Nellie R., of whom Sarah 
J., Annie J. and Ora J., are deceased. Immediately after their 
marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Br3'an, located upon a farm in Hendricks 
Township, this county. A year later they removed to Brandywine 
Township, in which they have ever since resided. They are the 
parents ot one child. Bertha S., born April 7, 1S74. Since his 
marriage Mr. Brvan has given his entire attention to his farm ex- 
cepting two winters, during which he taught school in Hendricks 
Township. He and wife and daughter. Bertha, are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics the former is a Demo- 
crat. Pie is an enterprising, intelhgent and successful farmer, and 
he and wife are worthy and esteemed citizens. They have a hand- 
some farm of eighty acres, about fifty-live acres of which is in a 
high state of cultivation. Their farm is fitted up with a nice resi- 
dence, which, with other substantial improvements makes a very de- 
sirable location.