ELDER SOLOMON GREEN O’BRYAN came to Texas from North Carolina by way of Alabama. He was born in Warren county, N. C., January 22, 1821. Was baptized into Brown’s Baptist church in 1843, by Elder W. Hudgins. He was educated at Wake Forest College, graduating from that institution June, 1849. During the autumn of that year left his native state; spent two years in Alabama, teaching at Sumpterville and preaching for the churches at Sumpterville and Gainesville. In February, 1864, he began his six years’ pastorate at Waco, Texas. Waco was then a rude, frontier town, with but few inhabitants. During his six years 67 were received by baptism and 121 by letter. He preached much in Central Texas during this period, served many churches and organized many. The old first brick house of worship in Waco was erected while he was pastor. In 1858 he was corresponding secretary of Trinity River Association, and in 1859 was moderator of that body. It was mainly through his influence that the Trinity River Classical School was located at Waco, which was the foundation of Waco University and Baylor University at Waco. He was the first president of Bosqueville College two years, and he organized the Bosqueville church. In 1860 he took the oversight of the church in Huntsville. In 1867 he settled near Port Sullivan, in Milam county, and accepted the churches at Cameron, Port Sullivan and Little River. The same year his Master called him to rest September 26, 1867. He preached his last sermon the night of September 24, from the text: “Take ye away the stone.” It was said to be one of his best efforts. Sixteen came forward for prayer. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss L. E. Swan. She died in 1852. She left no children. His second wife was Miss Sarah Ann Chandler, daughter of Elder P. B. Chandler, of Fayette county, Texas. His second marriage was in February, 1854. He left three sons and one daughter. The oldest, W. C. O’Bryan, at McGregor, was but 11 years old. These all grew up and became church members. Two are now dead. S. G. O’Bryan was well educated, and a grand nephew. He could have filled any pulpit in the South. He chose the frontier wilderness instead. We reap the fruits of his labors.
Source: J. L. Walker and C. P. Lumpkin, History of the Waco Baptist Association of Texas (Waco: Byrne-Hill Printing House, 1897), pp. 380-381.