Fifth Generation

154. Ruby Priscilla Cox^{1,36,123,124,125} was born on 18 July 1903 in Jefferson County, Tennessee.

She was missing from the census in 1910.

She appeared in the census in 1920 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Ruby 16 dau f s w TN TN TN can R/W, attended school.

Ruby died on 9 August 1925 in Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.¹²⁶ She died 16 days after giving birth to Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan. However, her death was not due to complications from childbirth. Rather, she died of a serious mastoid infection. She had suffered from severe ear infections for years, and of course this was before the discovery of penicillin. She was being prepped for surgery at the time of her death.

State of Tennessee, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death #280
1. Place of death -- County: Hamblen, Civil Dist.: , Registration District: 321, File number: 280, Village or City: Morristown, Tenn. (Morristown General Hospital), Primary Registration District No.: 23201, Registered no.: 90.
2. Full name -- Ruby P. Bryan
3. Sex -- Female
4. Color or race -- White
5. Single, married, widowed, or divorced -- Married
6. Date of birth -- July 18, 1903
7. Age -- 22 yrs, 0 mos., 21 ds.
8. Occupation -- a) Trade, profession, or particular kinds of work .... Domestic b) General nature of business, or establishment in which employed....
9. Birthplace -- Tenn.
10. Name of father -- G.J. Cox
11. Birthplace of father -- Tenn.
12. Maiden name of mother -- Loretta Nichols
13. Birthplace of mother -- Tenn.
14. The above is true to the best of my knowledge (Informant) signed E.O. Bryan, ( address) Morristown, Tenn.
15. Filed -- 8/10, 1925 Belle Fort, Registrar
16. Date of death -- Aug 9, 1925
17. I hereby certify that I attended deceased from July 30, 1925 to Aug 8, 1925 and that I last saw her alive on Aug 8, 1925, and that death occurred on the date stated above at 130 am. The cause of death was as follows: Thrombosis of lateral sinnus. (Duration) ___ yrs.____ mos. 10 ds. Contributory Chronic suppurative middle ear (duration) 18 yrs. ___ mos. ___ ds. Signed S M Ryburn, M.D., 8/10, 1925, Morristown, Tenn
18. Length of residence --
19. Place of burial or removal -- Wesleys Chapel, Date of burial: Aug 10, 1925
20. Undertaker -- H. Stetzer Und. Co., Address: Morristown, Tenn.

The informant was her husband, Emmert Oral Bryan.

She was buried on 10 August 1925 in Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee.¹²⁷ Tombstone: Ruby Cox, wife of E.O. Bryan, Jul. 18, 1903, Aug. 9, 1925, Asleep in Jesus. She is buried between her parents George Jackson Cox and Clarissa Loretta (Rett) Nichols on one side, and her brother Robert McKinley Cox on the other side. Her husband Emmert Bryan is buried in Knoxville with his second wife Kate Nottingham.

The following is from "The Nichols Book" by Wyatt Nichols.

Ruby, fourth child of George and Loretta Nichols Cox was about one year younger than myself. She was a fine pianist and as I remember her when visiting there, especially when her brother and sisters, John, Minnie and Ethel had married. In the evening she played the piano and the guitar and we would sing, especially hymns. Her father, my Uncle George, always was delighted in hearing her and I sing and play. She taught school for a few years, then married a young man from Jefferson County by the name of Emmert Bryan.

According to her son William Jackson Bryan, the school at which she taught was the Cedar Hill School in Jefferson County, Tennessee.

Ruby Priscilla Cox and Emmert Oral Bryan were married on 10 April 1921 in Jefferson County, Tennessee.¹²⁴ State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. Know all Men, That we, Emmit (sic) Byant (sic) and H. A. Fox, of said County and State of Tennessee, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Tennessee in the sum of Twelve Hundred and Fifty Dollars, to which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind our heirs, executors, and administrators, and each and every one of us and them, both jointly and severally by these presents. The Condition of the above Obligation is Such: That whereas, Emit (sic) Bryant (sic), age 21, hath prayed and obtained a License to marry Ruby Cox; Now, if there shall not hereafter appear any lawful cause why the said Emit (sic) Brant (sic) and Ruby Cox should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony as husband and wife, then this obligation to be void and of no effect; otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Witness our hands and seals, the 9 day of April, 1921. Emmert Bryant and H. A. Fox. State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. Personally appeared before me, C. S. Rainwater, Clerk of the County Court of Said County, H. A. Fox, who made oath in due form that Emit (sic) Bryant (sic) and Ruby Cox are known to him, and that they are each over sixteen years of age. (signed) H. A. Fox, Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9 day of April, 1921, C. S. Rainwater, County Court Clerk. State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. To any regular Minister of the Gospel having the care of Souls, Jewish Rabbi or any Justice of the Peace of said County, judge or Chancellor - Greeting: These are to authorize, you or either of you to solemnize the Rites of Matrimony between Emit (sic) Bryant (sic) and Ruby Cox of your County, agreeably to the direction of the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided: Provided always, that the Rite of Matrimony be solemnized in this County; otherwise these shall be null and void, and shall not be accounted any license or authority to you, or either of you, for the purpose aforesaid, more than thought the same had never been prayed or granted, etc. Given at the Clerk's office of said County, this 9 day of April, 1921. C. S. Rainwater, County Court Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within parties on the 10th day of April, 1921. J. E. Swann, J.P.

Emmert Oral Bryan^{1,53,60,124,125,128,129,130,131,132} was born on 1 November 1898 in Sevier County, Tennessee.^60,130,132

He appeared in the census in 1900 in Sevier County, Tennessee. Emert 1 son m s w Mar 1898 TN TN TN.

He appeared in the census in 1910 in Sevier County, Tennessee. Emmert O. 11 son m s w farm laborer TN TN TN.

Emmert registered for the draft in Jefferson County, Tennessee on 12 September 1918.¹³⁰

1. Name: Emmert Oral Bryan
2. Address: RD #3, Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee
3. Age 19
4. Born: 1 Nov 1898
5. Race: white
10. US Citizen: native born
16. Occupation: laborer in canning factory
17. Employer's name: Smith Brothers Co
18. Place of Employment: RD #6, Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee
19. Nearest relative name: Nanny V. Bryan, mother
20. Nearest relative address: RD #3, Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee
Signature: Emmert Oral Bryan
21. Height: tall
24. Build: slender
25. Color of eyes: blue
26. Color of hair: brown
Date of Registration: 9/12/18

He appeared in the census in 1920 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Emmert 21 son m s w TN TN TN can R/W.

He appeared in the City Directory in Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee in 1922. E. O. Bryan, 600 Hill Street, intersection with 6th St. North. Emmert appeared in the City Directory in Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee in 1924. Emmert Bryan, Fourth North Street (west). He was living in 1925 in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. They moved to Knoxville in 1925. He appeared in the City Directory in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee in 1926.¹³³ Bryan Emert emp O'wood Mfg Co r 210 N Morgan. Emmert appeared in the City Directory in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee in 1927.¹³⁴ Bryan Emert O emp K Lbr & Mfg Co r 306 E Morelia av. He appeared in the City Directory in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee in 1928.¹³⁵ Bryan Emert O emp K Lbr & Mfg Co r 06 E Morelia av. He appeared in the City Directory in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee in 1929.¹³⁶ Bryan Emert O (Kate N) emp Knoxv Lbr & Mfg Co r 306 E Morelia av. Emmert appeared in the City Directory in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee in 1930.¹³⁷ Bryan Emert O (Kate N) mach opr Sterling Wood Prod Co r 353 Atlantic av.

He appeared in the census in 1930 in Knox County, Tennessee. Ward 18, Enumeration Distict 47-45, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee, 7 Apr 1930; p.266b, 953 Atlantic Ave., family number 109, dwelling number 115; Bryan Emmert O. 31 head m m@20 w foreman auto body plant TN TN TN; Ella K. 30 wife f m@28 w VA VA TN; William J. 8 son m s w TN TN VA; Lena M. 6 dau f s w TN TN VA; Robert E. 4 8/12 son m s w TN TN VA.

He appeared in the City Directory in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee in 1931.¹³⁸ Bryan Emert O (Kate N) Foremn Sterling Wood Prod Co r 353 Atlantic av. Emmert was living in 1931/2 in Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee.¹³⁹ (reported by Robert E. Bryan). He was living between 1933 and 1939 in Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee.¹³⁹ They lived on the left side of Manardville Highway, going north bound up the hill out of Fountain City. He appeared in the City Directory in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee in 1934.¹⁴⁰ Bryan Emmett L (Kate N) emp C B Atkin Co r 732 Chicamauga av (but according to Robert E. Bryan they had already moved from Chicamauga Avenue to Halls by 1934). Emmert appeared in the City Directory in Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee in 1935.¹⁴¹ Bryan E O emp C B Atkin Co. He appeared in the City Directory in Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee in 1936.¹⁴² Bryan E O emp C B Atkin Co. He appeared in the City Directory in Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee in 1937.¹⁴³ Bryan E O mach opr C B Atkin Co. Emmert appeared in the City Directory in Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee in 1938.¹⁴⁴ Bryan Emmert O (Kate N) emp C B Atkin Co r Maynardville pk, Ftn City, R D 13. He appeared in the City Directory in Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee in 1939.¹⁴⁵ Bryan Emert O (Kate N) mchst, C B Atkin Co r Maynardsville pk R D 13. He appeared in the City Directory in Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee in 1941.¹⁴⁶ Bryan Emert O (Ella N) mach dept C B Atkin Co r Maynardville pk R D 13. Emmert appeared in the City Directory in Knox County, Tennessee in 1946.¹⁴⁷ Bryan Emerson O (Ella K) printer Tenn. Press r Morgan Quarry rd RD 12. He appeared in the City Directory in Knox County, Tennessee in 1947.¹⁴⁸ Bryan Emmert O (Ella K) emp Vestal Lbr & Mfg Co r Morgan Quarry rd RD 12. He appeared in the City Directory in Knox County, Tennessee in 1948/9.¹⁴⁹ Bryan Emmert O asst supt Vestal Lbr & Mfg Co r Morgan Quarry Rd RD 12. Emmert appeared in the City Directory in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee in 1955.¹⁵⁰ Bryan, Emmert O (Kate N) foremn Vestal Lbr & Mfg Co r 3209 Buffat Mill rd N E.

He died on 12 November 1978 in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.^60,132,151 He died at the home of his daughter Lena Maude Bryan Truan. He was living with the Truans because of his failing health.

Obituary, Knoxville News-Sentinel, 13 Nov 1978, p.A2.
Bryan, Emmeret (sic) O. - age 80, of 3712 Thrall Dr., passed away Sunday morning at his home. Member of Fairmont Presbyterian Church and Modern Woodmen of America. He was retired from C.B. Atkin's Company. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kate Bryan. Survivors: daughters, Mrs. Lena B. Traun (sic), Mrs. Bonnie Johnson; sons, W.J. Bryan and Robert E. Bryan; sisters, Mrs. Ethel Cox, Mrs. Edna Williams, Mrs. Willie Kyle, all of Knoxville; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Service Tuesday, 11 a.m. at Mynatt's Chapel, Rev. T.C. Bailey and Rev. John Stouffer officiating. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Monday at Mynatt's.

Death Certificate.
State of Tennessee, Office of Vital Records, Certificate of Death, Tennessee, Department of Public Health, Vital Records
1. Deceased-name - Emmert Oral Bryan
2. Date of death (month, day, year) - Nov. 12, 1978
3. Age last birthday (years) - 80
4. Date of birth (month, day, year) - Nov. 1, 1898
5. Race - White
6. Sex - Male
7a. County of death - Knox
7b. City, town or location - Knoxville
7c. Inside city limits (specify yes or no) - Yes
7d. Hospital or other institution-name (if not in either, specify private residence, business, street, etc.) - private residence: 3712 Thrall Dr.
8. State of birth - Tennessee
9. Citizen of what country - U.S.A.
10. Married, never married, widowed, divorced (specify) - Widowed
11. Surviving spouse (if wife, give maiden name) -
12b. Service in armed forces (specify war or days of service) - No
13a. Usual occupation - Foreman
13b. Kind of business or industry - Furniture
14a. Residence-state - Tennessee
14b. County - Knox
14c. City, town, or location - Knoxville
14d. Street and number - 3712 Thrall Dr.
14e. Inside city limits (specify yes or no) - Yes
14f. Census tract no. - 051
15. Father-name - Wm. Harley
16. Mother-maiden name - Nancy Virginia Harrison
17. Informant mailing address - 3712 Thrall Dr., Lena B. Truan, Knoxville, Tenn.
18a. Burial, cremation, removal, other (specify) - Burial
18b. Date (month, day, year) - Nov. 14, 1978
18c. Cemetery-name - Greenwood
18d. Location, city or town, state - Knoxville, Tennessee
19a. Funeral director (signature) - Walter E. Conner
19b. License no. - 438
19c. Embalmer (signature) - Walter E. Conner
19d. License no. - 2637
20. Funeral home, name and address - Mynatt's, 2829 Rennoc Rd., Knoxville, Tn.
21a. Registrar-signature - Mary Chambers
21b. Date received by registrar - Nov 28, 1978
22a. Physician
22b. Date signed
23a. Medical Examiner - E. V. Davidson
24a. Certifier - E.V. Davidson, M.D.
24b. Address - 2212 E. Vine Ave., Knoxville, Tenn. 37915
The informant was his daughter, Lena Maude Bryan Truan.

Social Security Death Index Information: Name: Emmert Bryan; Last Residence: 37918 Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; Born: 1 Nov 1898; Died: Nov 1978.

He was buried on 14 November 1978 in Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.^132,151,152 Tombstone: Emmert O. Bryan, Nov. 1, 1898 - Nov. 12, 1978, same stone as Ella N. Bryan.

The following is from "The Nichols Book" by Wyatt Nichols.

When World War I came along he and Ruby went to Virginia where he worked as a ship builder until the war was over. He later returned to Morristown, Tennessee where be worked as a cabinet maker. Ruby died in 1925 and is buried at Wesley's Chapel in Jefferson County. Ruby left three small children, namely, Jack, Lena Maud and Robert. Emmert, after trying to keep his little family together, in a few years alter Ruby's death married a lady by the name of Kate Nottingham, re-establishing his little home again. Emmert and Kate have one daughter of their own. Her name is Bonnie Joe. (Note: the place where my grandfather worked as a shipbuilder was Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. I also worked there, except I was there in 1982-1985 instead of during World War I. At one point, I checked with the personnel office, and indeed they did have records of when he worked there. RGB)

Ruby Priscilla Cox and Emmert Oral Bryan had the following children:

+274
i.
William Jackson (Jack) Bryan^{1,53,125,132,153,154,155,156} was born on 29 January 1922 in Jefferson County, Tennessee.^125,157
He appeared in the census in 1930 in Knox County, Tennessee. William J. 8 son m s w TN TN VA. His mother was born in Tennessee rather than in Virginia. The enumerator incorrectly attributed the birthplace of his stepmother to his mother.
He died on 21 April 2005 in Clinton, Anderson County, Tennessee.¹²⁵ Social Security Death Index Information: Name: William J. Bryan; Last Residence: 37931 Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; Born: 29 Jan 1922; Died: 21 Apr 2005.
Obituary, Knoxville News-Sentinel, 23 Apr 2005
Bryan, William J. (Bill) - born January 29, 1922, passed away April 21, 2005. He was preceded in death by wife, Florence (Brown) Bryan; son, Steve Bryan; father, E.O. Bryan; mother, Ruby (Cox) Bryan; step-mother, Ella Kate Bryan; sister, Lena Truan. He leaves behind his sons and their wives, Joseph and Kathryn Bryan, Jay and Judy Bryan, and Tom and Donna Bryan; grandchildren, Angie Bryan, Duane Bryan, Jill Pitkanen, Whitney Bryan Bartera, Mary and Kayla Bryan; great grandson, Korbin Pitkanen; brother, Robert Bryan; sister, Bonnie Johnson; sisters-in-law Frankie Kramer and Brenda Lee; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was a Veteran of WWII and served proudly in the U.S. Navy as a Radar Operator. He was employed by Union Carbide at the X-10 Plant for 33 years until his retirement. He was a Volunteer Dispatcher for the Karns Volunteer Fire Dept. for several years. He was a CB operator for years, his handle was "Salty". He was a member of Solway United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the Choir. He enjoyed singing Hymns and one of his favorites was "In the Garden". The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Saturday at Weaver's Chapel with the service to follow at 8 pm. Reverends Henry Lenoir and Gordon Ridenour officiating. Family and friends will meet at 1:45 pm Sunday at Solway Church of God Cemetery for a 2 pm graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Solway United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 7085, Knoxville, TN 37921 or the Karns Volunteer Fire Dept., 4725 Guinn Rd., Knoxville, TN 37931. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home. (Note: he was known as "Bill" at work; he was always known as "Jack" in the family -- RGB)
William was buried on 24 April 2005 in Solway Church of God Cemetery, Knox County, Tennessee.^125,158 Tombstone: William J. Bryan, Jan. 29, 1922 - Apr 21, 2005, same stone as Florence B. Bryan. Footstone: William J. Bryan, US Navy, World War II, Jan. 29, 1922 - Apr. 24, 2005.
The following is from "The Nichols Book" by Wyatt Nichols.
Jack, the oldest child of Emmert and Ruby Cox Bryan, is a great fellow and I could write much about him. I will put this incident in. His grandmother, my Aunt Loretta Nichols Cox, came to visit me in Cleveland, Ohio, about 1939. Jack slipped away from home and hitch-hiked to Cleveland from Tennessee, about three weeks after his grandmother came to visit us. He found employment here in Cleveland, Ohio, and worked until the beginning of World War II. He immediately enlisted in the United States Navy and spent five years serving his country with a fine record. I personally am very proud of Jack. He married a girl by the name of Florence Brown. They have four children, namely, Joseph W., James, Phillip T., and Jackie S.
+275
ii.
Lena Maude Bryan^{1,53,125,132,156,159} was born on 27 October 1923 in Tennessee.¹⁵⁶
She appeared in the census in 1930 in Knox County, Tennessee. Lena M. 6 dau f s w TN TN VA. Her mother was born in Tennessee rather than in Virginia. The enumerator incorrectly attributed the birthplace of her stepmother to her mother.
She died on 13 October 1994 in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.^60,156 Social Security Death Index Information: Name: Lena M. Truan; Born: 27 Oct 1923; Died: 13 Oct 1994.
Obituary, Knoxville News-Sentinel, 13 October 1994, p.D11.
Truan, Lena Bryan - age 70, of Knoxville, passed away her home October 13, 1994. Member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Preceded in death by her husband, Louis Charles Truan. Survivors: daughter Martha Barnes; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Gordon Ridenour; son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Donna Truan; five grandchildren, Melanie Joy, David Truan, Greta Chapman, Erica Ridenour, Kelly Barnes; great-grandson, Tyler Joy; brothers, William Jackson Bryan, Robert E. Bryan; sister, Bonnie Johnson, all of Knoxville. Services 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Mynatt's Chapel. Rev. Carl Oakes officiating. Family and friends will meet 1 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Cemetery for interment. Contributions be made to the church of your choice. The family will receive friends following the service until 7:30 p.m. at Mynatt's.
Lena was buried on 17 October 1994 in Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.^156,160 Tombstone: Lena B. Truan, 1923 -1994, same stone as Louis C. Truan.
The following is from "The Nichols Book" by Wyatt Nichols.
Lena Maud, second child of Emmert and Ruby Cox Bryan, is typical in stature of the Nichols women folk, small and petite and eyes which are so typical of the Nichols women folk. She married L. C. Truan, Jr. They have three children, namely, Nancy, Charles and Martha.
+276
iii.
Robert Elmer "Bob" Bryan (private).