BRYDEN, James W.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, p 1241

James W. BRYDEN is a retired farmer residing at No. 1021 Mulberry Street, Rockford [Winnebago County, IL].  He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, 22 Jul 1830, and at the age of 18 came to America.  He took passage from Liverpool, England, and after a voyage of seven weeks landed in NY City.  He located in Delaware County, NY, and afterward went to Scranton, PA, whence he came to Rockford about 1856.  Here he worked by the month in order to make payment on the first land which he owned, a tract of 60 acres.  He has been the architect of his own fortune and has builded well.   When he first came to this county he was empty-handed, but by his own efforts has acquired a handsome competence.

During the late war Mr. BRYDEN enlisted as a teamster in the commissary department in the fall of 1861, and after two years of such service became a member of Company G, 11th IL Cavalry, in which he remained until the close of the war, being then under command of Col. FUNK, of Peoria.  He was ever faithful to his duty and was a valiant soldier.   For some time he lay sick in the hospital and was once crippled by being thrown from a horse, but otherwise escaped uninjured.  He is proud of the fact that he aided his adopted land in her struggle to preserve the Union, but having experienced the privations and trials of army life, has no desire again to see war.

Mr. BRYDEN was married in Beloit [Rock County], WI, to Miss Olive L. HALLSTEAD, who was born in Luzerne County, PA, 23 May 1846.  When quite young her parents, Samuel L. and Maria (CAPWELL) HALLSTEAD, removed to Brown County, NY, and she was only six years of age when they came West, and located in Harrison Township, Winnebago County, where both her father and mother are living.  There he improved a good farm where he still makes his home, at the age of 84 years.  He served through the Rebellion as a faithful follower of the Stars and Stripes.  His wife, who is a member of the Methodist Church, is now 79 years of age.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. BRYDEN have been born five children:  (1)  Cora B., widow of Henry BARKLEY; (2)  Fairy M., wife of Fred GILMORE, a farmer of Owen Township [Winnebago County, IL]; (3)  William J., who wedded Nellie STILLWELL and operates his father's farm; (4)  Minnie M., wife of Fred SCOONMAKERS, a resident farmer of Harlem Township [Winnebago County, IL]; and (5)  M. Eveline, who resides at home.  In politics Mr. BRYDEN is a stalwart Republican, and socially is a member of G. L. Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., of Rockford.  He came to this city from his farm in 1891, and is now living a retired life, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves.  He still owns 100 acres of well-improved land in Owen Township.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.