Dorastus L. Bryant

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Dorastus L. Bryant

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Mr. BRYANT is a retired business man at Landing on Lake Hopatcong, and was one of the leading business men of Morris county, New Jersey. He is a native of the county and a descendant of ancestors long resident there.

Dorastus L. BRYANT was born April 1, 1840, at Succasunna, New Jersey, on premises which he now owns where one of his sons lives and operates an apple distillery. His father, Samuel C. BRYANT, was born in 1808 at Ironia, on the original BRYANT tract, now owned by his son, and occupied by his grandson as aforementioned. He was reared a farmer and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until near middle life, when he turned his attention to merchandising, farming and distilling at Succasunna, continuing the same successfully until his death, that event occurring in 1866. He was a son of Elias BRYANT, who was also born on the homestead farm, and whose father was one of the original settlers and a large property owner. Samuel C. BRYANT married Phebe A. GARRISON, daughter of L.B. GARRISON, and two children were the fruit of their union

Dorastus L. and
Alonzo, the latter deceased.

Dorastus L. BRYANT grew up in the business established by his father, receiving his education in that and the country schools, and at his father’s death succeeded to the business, which he continued until about 1880. About 1870, at the height of the iron-mining boom, he discovered and operated the iron range between Ironia and Chester, in connection with the Bryant mines in the store and lumber business at Ironia, that continued for three years. About twenty-three years ago he became associated the construction of the Westmoreland Hotel, where he resided until about two years ago when he took up his residence in his cottage adjoining the hotel. Mr. BRYANT is one of those men who seem to be able to take the right step at the right time, and succeeds where others fail. Politically Mr. BRYANT is a Democrat, as well as his father, and both have filled numerous places of trust and responsibility in the township.

Mr. Bryant married, in 1866, Caroline B. SNELLING, and they have the following children:

Elizabeth M., wife of M. B. CARREL;
Augustus S., married Alice COATES and is the proprietor of the Westmoreland Hotel at Landing;
Anna P., wife of H. H. JOWITT;
Dora L., wife of Dolph De HANNE;
Robert B., deceased, was a dentist;
J. Frederick C., in charge of farm at Ironia;
Irving G., who operates the cider mill and distillery at Succasunna.

This biography was transcribed by Marlene Laing.