Robert Bryson, a substantial farmer and stock dealer living in the First District of Sumner County, is a son of James M. and Harriet M. (Hodge) Bryson. He was born in Sumner County in 1847, and was the third of a family of four children, viz.: George G., Anna R. (wife of Richard Alexander), our subject, and Lady. The father was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, born in Sumner County in 1811, and was a son of Peter and Jean (Gillespie) Bryson. Peter Bryson was a native of North Carolina, and moved to Sumner County, when quite young, where he married and engaged in farming and blacksmithing until his death. James M. was raised at home, receiving few educational advantages, but through his own efforts acquired a great deal of general information. He married in January, 1839, and settled in the First District, where he lived until his death in July, 1884. He was entirely a self-made man, and one of fine character. He was captain of the militia during the general muster, and a volunteer in the Seminole war. The mother was born near Gallatin, Tenn., in 1819, and died in June, 1877. Both parents were members of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and highly esteemed in the community. Our subject was raised at home and educated at Rural Academy, and has given his time to farming and stock raising; he lives at the old homestead, owning 215 acres of productive land, well improved, seven miles northeast of Gallatin. Mr. Bryson is a man of energy and good business habits. His first presidential vote was cast for H. Seymour in 1868, and he has always been an active Democrat, and is an influential member of the Old School Presbyterian Church.