Biographical Sketches
GEORGE W. BRIANT
Whose varied experiences on the western frontier and whose connection with the upbuilding and development of the southwest well entitle him to representation among its pioneers, is now an esteemed resident of Kansas City, Missouri.
He was born in Cooper county, now Pettis county, Missouri, 8 miles distant from the present site of Sedalia, on the 12th of March 1830, and descended from an old pioneer family. His father, William Briant, was born in Virginia, but was reared in Kentucky, whence he came to Missouri in an early day. There he located on a farm which he made his home until 1844, when he came to Jackson county, settling 7 miles southeast of Independence. His next home was in Cass county, near the city of Belton, where he was killed during a raid of the notorious �Red Legs� from Kansas, at the age of 71 years. Mr. Briant was twice married. In Kentucky he wedded Elizabeth Burnett, and had a family of 3 children. For his 2nd wife, Mr. Briant chose Elizabeth Sloan, of Cooper county, who survived him several years. His family numbered 10 children, 5 of whom are yet living. Three of the sisters of our subject are residents of Kansas City, namely: Kate, wife of Benjamin Berkley; Margaret, widow of John J. Moore; Sarah B., wife of John W. Moore, ex-mayor of Kansas City; and Carrie is the wife of Frank Ferrill, of Buffalo Gap, Texas.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, and accompanied his parents on their various removals until he had attained his majority. The arduous labor of developing a farm in a new locality is familiar to him, and he has undergone many of the experiences of life in the west, such as have furnished material for many works of fiction. Long journeys across the plains seldom traversed by white men, where Indian attacks might be expected at almost any time, were a part of the experiences of his early manhood. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until a year after the removal of the family to Cass county, Missouri, when at the age of 21 he began freighting in the employ of F. Y. Ewing, an old freighter who took goods across the plains to Santa Fe, New Mexico. During the first year Mr. Briant made 2 trips. The following year he fitted out 5 terms and wagons, and in company with several owned by James B. Yeager, he again journeyed to the southwest and was manager of the entire train. For 17 years thereafter he engaged in freighting and though it was an arduous business it was also a profitable one. He frequently had as many as 50 wagons engaged in freight, and 6 yoke of cattle attached to each wagon. During this time he made 66 trips over the Santa Fe Trail and was very successful in the undertaking. A train numbered from 25 to 60 men, and they were often called upon to repulse Indian attacks; for the red men, bent on plunder and often more serious mischief, frequently made raids on the freighters. He was a sub-contractor and general agent for the overland freighting firm of Russell, Major & Waddell, which made a contract with the government to engage in this business, and handled government supplies. Mr. Briant made trips to Santa Fe and Fort Union, and during this time was a resident of Kansas City. He received ten cents per pound to haul freight, whereas it can now be conveyed over the railroad that distance for a half cent per pound. He continued the business until railroads were constructed, when of course it was no longer profitable.
On his retirement from that vocation, Mr. Briant turned his attention to banking, and as a member of the firm of J. Q. Watkins & Co. he opened a state bank in Kansas City, with which he was connected for 10 years. It was the 2nd banking institution in the city, and was located at the corner of 2nd and Main streets. It followed a safe and conservative policy, and the straightforward business methods commended it to the confidence of all. During the financial panic of 1873 they lost money, although they paid their depositors dollar for dollar, and in consequence the business was closed. There were two banks in all Kansas City that stood the severe test of the times and were enabled to continue business, and that with which Mr. Briant was connected had an honorable record, against which naught could be said.
The next business venture of our subject was as a stock trader and feeder. He has a farm in Linn county, Missouri, near Brookfield, where he feeds large numbers of cattle, and this enterprise has proved to him a profitable one. He is also engaged in real-estate dealing and has made some judicious investments in realty, which have proved to him good paying securities.
On the 8th of October, 1858, Mr. Briant was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Lobb, a daughter of Zachariah Lobb, of Jackson county. They have no children of their own, but have reared an adopted daughter, Louise Watkins, now the wife of Harry Sefrick, of Kansas City. They also gave a home to Lulu Watkins, wife of Henry Jones, of Kansas City, and they now reside in the home of Mr. Briant.
Our subject was reared as a member of the whig party, but is now a supporter of the principles of democracy. He has been a lifelong member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and is now identified with the congregation at Westport, and is serving as elder. He owes his success in life entirely to his own unaided efforts. Hi started out in life with no capital, has surmounted many obstacles and overcome many difficulties, but steadily he has worked his way upward, and has built for himself a competency and a good credit that places him among the substantial residents of Kansas City, while his life is but another example of what can be accomplished in this grand country of ours.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.