The state of Tennessee is signally favored in having at the head of its public school system a man of such marked scholastic and executive ability as is possessed by Professor Brister, who is the zealous and popular incumbent of the important office of state superintendent of. public instruction, with residence and official headquarters in the city of Nashville.

Professor John Willard Brister takes a distinct satisfaction in reverting to vIrginia as the place of his nativity, and he is deeply appreciative of the fine old state that figured as the gracious cradle of much of our national history..  He was born in the city of Petersburg, the capital and metropolis of Dinwiddie county, Virginia, December 28, 1867. He is a son of Samuel G. and Mary A. (Prosise) Brister, both of whom were born and reared in Virginia, the lineage of the father being traced back to sturdy English origin and that of the mother to French stock. Samuel G. Brister was a man of steadfast and upright character, broad mental ken and marked business acumen. He was for many years one of the representative merchants and honored and influential citizens of Petersburg, and there both he and his wife continued to maintain their home until their death.   In the public schools of his native city Professor Brister gained his preliminary education and after his graduation in the Petersburg high school he entered, in 1885, Peabody College, at Nashville. In this institution he continued his higher academic studies for two years, at the expiration of which he returned to Virginia and initiated his pedagogic career. There he taught for three years in the country schools of Prince George county, and he then resumed his studies in Peabody College, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1892 and from which he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts.

In the following year he continued his studies in Peabody College and the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him.  In view of the results achieved and the reputation won, none can doubt the wisdom of choice which Professor Brister manifested in adopting the pedagogic profession as his permanent vocation. In 1893 he assumed a position as instructor in Montgomery Bell Academy, in Nashville, and he continued to be identified with this institution for nine years, but in 1895-6 he was granted leave of absence, in order that he might pursue post-graduate work in the University of Chicago, in which institution he took a special course in history and political science. He continued his active connection with the academy mentioned until 1902, when he accepted the chair of mathematics in Peabody College, and in this exacting position he added greatly to his already high reputation in educational circles. He continued the able and popular incumbent of this academic chair until the 20th of April, 1911, when there came merited and distinctive recognition of his sterling character and high intellectual attainments, in his appointment to his present office, that of state superintendent of public instruction, this preferment having been given through appointment by Governor Benjamin W. Hooper.

He made a splendid record during his first term, in which he did much to unify and systematize the work of the publicschools throughout the state, and the most effective voucher for the excellence of his administration was that given in his reappointment in 1913. Professor Brister has gained the high regard and earnest co-operation of teachers and school officials throughout his jurisdiction, and the supervision of the public schools of the state is well placed in his guiding control.

In politics Professor Brister is a Democrat, and he is identified with that wing of the Democracy in Tennessee, known as Independent. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Elm Street Methodist Episcopal church. South, in Nashville, besides which they are prominent factors in the representative social activities of their home city. The Professor has been for many years an active worker in connection with church affairs, especially the Sunday school, and in a fraternal way he has received the degree of Master Mason, being affiliated with Claiborne Lodge, No. 293, Free & Accepted Masons, in Nashville.

Professor Brister has two children—Virginia and John Willard, Jr. Mrs. Brister is the daughter of the late Zach Taylor, who was a prominent lumber merchant and influential citizen of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

A history of Tennessee and Tennesseans : the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities.  by Will T. Hale; Chicago:  Lewis Pub. Co.,  1913

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb [at] gmail [dot] com October 26, 2005, 11:37 pm