J. L. Bryant & Co. This firm is now composed of H. B. Morgan and J. W. Motlow. It was first established in 1872, by J. L. Bryant (now deceased) and H. B. Morgan. J. L. Bryant had himself been in business in Lynchburg since 1806. He was born September 25, 1824, in Lincoln County, and was reared in west Tennessee, and when a young man returned to Moore County, and on August 24, 1845, married Finetta B. Leftwich, and engaged in merchandising at Charity, in this county, continuing in mercantile pursuits until his death. In 1865 he was at Shelbyville, and removed from there to Lynchburg. He was also an extensive farmer and stock trader. He was drowned April 5, 1883, at Shelbyville. He was a very popular man, and was identified with the social and public interests, and was one of the most successful business men of Moore County. There now survives him a family of two daughters and his widow.
H. B. Morgan was born October 14, 1842, in Lincoln County, Tennessee, being a son of W. A. and Mary (Davidson) Morgan, both now living near Montgomery, Alabama. Young Morgan remained on the farm until 1861, when he enlisted with the “boys in gray” and served till the battle of Franklin, in 1864, in which he lost an arm. He returned home in June 1865, and farmed for one year. He then became deputy sheriff of Lincoln County, holding that office four years, and was then elected sheriff for four years. In 1872 he entered the above named firm, and has been very successful. He was married in 1868 to Mrs. Mary J. Reece, — Bryant, daughter of J. L. Bryant. To this union one daughter has been born, Jessie B. Mrs. Morgan was the mother of one daughter by her former marriage, Johnnie Reece. Mr. Morgan is a public spirited citizen of the county, and is highly respected.
J. W. Motlow was born in Lynch burg, November 17, 1851, being a son of John T. and Finetta B. (Broadway) Motlow, who reside near Lynchburg. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of twenty one began farming for himself, which he continued until 1882, when he entered the firm of J. L. Bryant & Co. He was married, January 1, 1880, to Miss Willie Alice Bryant, daughter of J. L. Bryant, the result of this union being one daughter, Aetna. Mr. Motlow is a democrat in politics, and is an enterprising citizen of Lynchburg.