John Neely Bryan

John Neely Bryan (December 24, 1810 – September 8, 1877) was a Presbyterian farmer, lawyer, and tradesman in the United States and founder of the city of Dallas, Texas.

There, he attended the Fayetteville Military Academy and, after studying law, was admitted to the Tennessee Bar.

[2] Bryan was significant to early Dallas — he served as the postmaster, a store owner, a ferry operator (he operated a ferry where Commerce Street crosses the Trinity River today), and his home served as the courthouse.

In 1844, he persuaded J. P. Dumas to survey and plot the site of Dallas and possibly[original research?]

Bryan joined Col. Nicholas H. Darnell's Eighteenth Texas Cavalry regiment in the winter of 1861 and served with the unit until late 1862, when he was discharged due to his old age and poor health.

He also stood on the platform at the welcoming ceremonies for the Houston and Texas Central Railway when the first train pulled into town in mid-July 1872.

[3] He is believed to be buried in an unmarked grave in the southeast quadrant of the Austin State Hospital Cemetery.

Dallas Independent School District named John Neely Bryan Elementary after him.