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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Mrs. Flora E. Brian

Mrs. Flora E. Brian was born In the state of New York, but at the age of nine years came west with her parents, M. D. and C. L. (Felt) Barney. They located in Benton county, Iowa, but retired and moved to Blairstown, this state. It was there that Mrs. Brian received her early education and remained during her girlhood years. She was married in December, 1872, to Mr. E. O. Howard, a native of New York state, born in 1847. He came to Jefferson, Iowa, in 1874, where he engaged in his vocation as a miller until the time of his death January 16, 1878. Their union was blessed with two children: Libbie C. Howard was married to Gene Blasdel and went to Groom, Texas. She was graduated from the Jefferson high school and later had the advantage of a course at Iowa City. She made practical use of her educational opportunities as principal of the high school at Jefferson for a number of years, where she was ranked among the best educators in the county. She always was true to the highest and best ideals and chose to spend her life in developing the minds of young people along the lines which have always reflected credit upon her memory. She had an individuality which enabled her to settle the value of life for herself and not defer to the baser standard of the world. The educational field does not offer opportunities for wealth in money, but it did give her a larger wealth of mind, soul and spirit. She was highly respected by all of her pupils who still cherish her memory. Her death was mourned by a large circle of friends who looked upon her as one of the superior young ladies of this age. The second child was Grace, who married John Bell, a railroad man of Lincoln, Nebraska. They are the parents of three children: John, Grace and Dilly. The latter makes his home with his grandmother at Jefferson.

Mrs. Brian’s second husband was Eugene Brian, a native of Benton county, Iowa, who came to Greene county and located upon a farm which for fourteen years he was engaged in operating. He was the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land five miles west of Jefferson, on the Scranton road, which Mrs. Brian still owns. Prominent in social and political affairs during his lifetime, his death was mourned by a host of friends who held him in the highest esteem. The republican party always found Mr. Brian a stalwart supporter of its principles, but he never cared for political honors, although he manifested a keen interest in public matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of his county. This union was blessed with one child, M. Dea.

Mrs. Brian is a woman of sterling worth. Her many estimable traits of character, her good qualities of heart and mind all combine to win her friendship and regard, and she is recognized as one of the leading ladies of Jefferson, where she commands universal respect and esteem and has won a host of friends.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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