BRYAN, Mrs. Mary Edwards, author, born in Jefferson county, Fla., in 1846. Her father was Major John D. Edwards, one of the early settlers in Florida and a member of the State legislature. Mary was educated by her cultured mother until she was twelve years old. The family moved to Thomasville, Ga., where she enjoyed the advantages of good schooling and made rapid progress. When she was sixteen, she was married to Mr. Bryan, the son of a wealthy Louisiana planter, with whom she went to his plantation on the Red river. One year later, under the pressure of painful circumstances, she returned to her father's home. There she began to write for the press. She wrote regularly for the "Literary and Temperance Crusader, '' published in Penfield, Ga. She contributed many columns to that journal, in both prose and verse, and her productions attracted attention. In 1859 the "Crusader" was enlarged, improved and removed to Atlanta, and Mrs. Bryan was engaged as literary editor. She filled the position with brilliant success and brought the journal into prominence. At the end of 1859 she resigned her position on the "Crusader" and became a correspondent of the "Southern Field and Fireside." After the Civil War she became the editor of the Natchitoches, La., "Semi-Weekly Times," writing political articles, sketches, stories and poems. Her next position was on the "Sunny South," published in Atlanta, Ga., which paper she edited for ten years. In 1885 she removed to New York City, where she served as assistant editor of "The Fashion Bazaar" and of "The Fireside Companion." Among her novels are: "Manch" (New York, 1879); "Wild Work," a story of the days of reconstruction in Louisiana (1881), and "The Bayou Bride" and "Kildee" (1886). Mrs. Bryan has a family of four children and several grandchildren. Her home is now in Atlanta, Ga., where she has editorial charge of "The Old Homestead," a monthly magazine."
(American Women Fifteen Hundred Biographies Vol 1 Publ. 1897 Transcribed by Marla Snow)