A. M. Bryant

A. M. Bryant
Born	September 10, 1845
Died	April 18, 1919 (aged 73)
Media

Alteria Melissa Prosser Bryant (September 10, 1845 - April 18, 1919) was born to Calvin A Prosser (1820-1873) and Amantha Prosser (1827-?) in New York. Thornton Chase taught her about the Bahá’í Faith and she enrolled in 1900. She received 10 tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá including one in 1903 asking her to form an Assembly in Denver. She remained a devoted believer until her death.

Life

Alteria Melissa Prosser was born on September 10, 1845, in New York to Calvin A. Prosser (1820-1873) and Amantha Prosser (1827-?). The family was likely affiliated with the Seventh Day Baptist church. Around 1862, Alteria married Deuteronomy Jesse "Duty" Saunders (1839-1922) in Albion, Wisconsin. They had one daughter, Samantha Minerva "Minnie" Saunders (1868-1937), born on April 7, 1868. However, their marriage ended in divorce around 1876. Following the divorce, Samantha was raised by her father.

Alteria married Delmar De Forest Bryant (1858-1939) in about 1877, a cousin of the poet William Cullen Bryant. Together, they had one son, Leo Cullen Bryant (1877-1955). It’s possible that Alteria and Delmar both attended the Albion Academy, a small institution in Albion, Wisconsin, established by the Seventh-day Adventists to train students to become teachers and ministers. Over the next 15 years, Alteria and Delmar both became educators, founding and teaching in schools. Records suggest that Alteria taught girls, while Delmar taught subjects including music, German, literature, and possibly others.

In approximately 1878, Alteria and Delmar moved to Susquehanna Depot, Pennsylvania, where Delmar was the principle of a "fine select Academy of Literature and Art" and Alteria was a teacher. The Greeley News reported that "he teaches the subject in a clear and masterly manner." They moved to La Cygne, Kansas in 1882, where Delmar devoted his time to teaching music. In 1883, they relocated to Greeley, Kansas, to care for Delmar’s parents during a measles outbreak, staying for about six months. While there, Delmar taught a series of classes before they moved on to establish a school in Fort Scott, Kansas in the summer of 1883.

Upon arriving in Fort Scott, Kansas, Delmar and Alteria opened the Fort Scott Academy of Art in their home. The school offered three courses of study in piano, voice and harmony, German, Spanish, Latin, and Greek, and penmanship and stenography. The school grew rapidly, expanding from their home to a studio and eventually to a block of buildings they owned. In 1885 Alteria also established a Day School for Young Girls and Misses. In 1886, Delmar expressed his ambition to “build up the largest musical and literary institution in the West. The same article noted that “Mrs. Bryant was able to govern perfectly and teach at the same time,” adding that her “younger students demonstrated astonishing capabilities in math.”” However,in 1891, Delmar closed his musical works in Fort Scott. In 1893, the school closed, and all furniture, instruments, and the building were sold. That same year, Alteria moved to Denver, while Delmar spent several years traveling the world. In his later years, he became a recluse and philosopher, disinterested in wealth or status.

Delmar was the primary teacher for their son, Leo. In addition to studying under his father, At the age of 12, Leo trained at the Chicago Conservatory, studying violin with Mr. A. Rosenbeck and piano with Mr. Sherwood. Both instructors praised him for the “thorough and perfect training he had already received.” Leo went on to become an accomplished violinist, conductor, and composer, spending several years with the Wolf Stock Company in Wichita, Kansas, before performing on the East Coast and finally settling in Los Angeles, California. In 1900. Leo married Jane Morgan who would go on to become a successful actress in radio and TV. Throughout her life, Leo remained close to Alteria. Alteria often visited him and spent extended stays in the mountains, during which time Leo would join her. One winter, she stayed at their property in Woodland Park, Colorado with her grand daughter, Aline Cullen Bryant while her parents were traveling.

Upon arriving in Denver in 1893, Alteria became an active member of the Civic Club, joining their efforts to secure women’s suffrage in Colorado. On November 7, 1893, the vote passed giving women the right to vote, making Colorado one of the first states to grant this right. Alteria continued her work with the Civic Club, which played a significant role in reforming Denver’s political landscape. In 1898, Alteria served on the board of the Civic Club.

In 1896, Alteria served as an assistant to Mrs. Eva Huling at the School of Divine Science, which would soon be called the Church of Divine Science. The Church taught that while faith had the power to heal, it also encouraged the use of skilled medical practitioners. She continued to have an association with the church for a number of years. Thornton Chase and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would later give talks at the church. An article in the Denver Rocky Mountain News on May 23, 1896 describes Alteria as tall and fine physique, a handsome, intellectual face, possessing a brilliant well trained mind coupled with earnestness, of stately bearing, and a convincing speaker.

Thornton Chase circa 1900

Thornton Chase indicated in March 1900 that he intended to teach the Faith in Denver. This is probably when Mrs. A. M. Bryant embraced the Bahá’í Faith. Alteria began teaching and by September enrolled Mrs. Calloway and Mrs. Clark.

Thornton Chase returned to Denver for a 6 days in May of 1903 In 1903, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent Mrs. A. M. Bryant a tablet, instructing her to establish an Assembly in Denver.Star of the West (March 2, 1920). Bahai News Service. Volume 10, Issue 19. Pg(s) 343. View as PDF.

In March of 1904, Mrs. A. M. Bryant had 4 meetings in her home attended by Thornton Chase. There were 27 in attendance at one meeting and another had 30 attendees. Thornton also attended a Bahá'í only meeting with 9 in attendance. Thornton Chase returned to Denver on November 19. Thornton also communicated with Fred E. Coe (is also a business associate) and the Honorable John F. Shafroth in Denver. Fred E. Coe enrolled in the Faith. In the early 1900s, the local Bahá’í community had grown to around 20 members.

In May of 1906, Mrs. A. M. Bryant sent 7 more supplications to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Mrs. Bryant spent the winter of 1906-1907 at Woodland Park, Colorado. Chase taught a woman in Denver and her husband began causing trouble.

By 1908, some had moved away or lost interest, and the community began facing challenges in maintaining regular meetings. Some of the Denver Bahá'í are involved with some metaphysical issues that Mrs. Bryant was working against. At the same time some accused her of egotism and ambition. Thornton Chase visited Denver again in the April of 1908 and again in the summer. Mrs. Eastwood, Mrs. Clark, Nathaniel Clark, and Dr. C. Steadmans are mentioned in Thornton's correspondence.

In early 1909, Mrs. A. M. Bryant spent 9 weeks in Chicago, Illinois and another week in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She attended she attended 90 meetings and offered high praise for the community's service. Mrs. Bryant stayed with Miss MacKenney while in Chicago. In April, Thornton Chase visited Denver where he attended 9 Bahá'í meetings in 2 weeks. Sunday meetings were being held at the Divine Science Church. The Bahá'ís were in close contact with the members there, and many of them were attending the meetings. At the age of 64, Mrs. Bryant felt she was having difficulty teaching the Faith in ways others would understand.

By 1910, the Denver Bahá’í community was holding at least six meetings a week. In 1911, both Corinne True and Thornton Chase visited Denver, and their visits helped reinvigorate the community. Tensions were developing between Mrs. Ella T. Nash and Mrs. A. M. Bryant. Both were trying to lead the community. Thornton Chase advised them to sit down together and work out their issues. In April, the Sunday afternoon services were being held at Mrs. Clara B. Craig's home at 4190 Yates St. Wensday appointment meetings, Thursday visiting day, Friday evening meetings, and Saturday evening meetings were being held. Mrs. A. M. Bryant had been appointed to represent Denver at the Temple Unity Convention but was unable to attend. Mrs. Cecilia M. Harrison of Chicago was appointed to be an alternate.

Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm visited the community on May 3. About 40 enthusiastic participants attended the meeting in the home of Mrs. Ella T. Nash. Other homes were made available for additional meetings, but Mr. Wilhelm was unable to stay longer.</ref>Star of the West (June 5, 1910). Bahai News Service. Volume 1, Issue 5. Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.</ref>

In December 1910, there were only meetings being held by Mrs. E. J. Bell in Aurora and Mrs. George Haebeli. Other members of the community mentioned in 1910 included Mr. G. N. Clark, Miss Louise Nash, and Dr. Newton Alden Bolles.

In January 1911, active membership was limited to 2 or 3. Thornton Chase thought this was due to egotism in the leadership. Thornton Chase spent several days in Denver in early April. Thornton attended three meetings of the Theosophists. Professor Greenwood had shown deep interested in the Faith and gave a talk to the Theosophists that Thornton Chase attended. Thornton had high praise for his talk. Thornton thought that as many as 25 Theosophists might actually join the Faith.

'Abdu'l-Bahá had indicated that greater unity was needed for him to visit America. Disunity and egotism seemed to be a general problem in America. Both Thornton Chase and Mrs. A. M. Bryant were surprised at his decision to come to America.

Hotel Shirley, Denver, Colorado

'Abdu'l-Bahá arrived in Denver by train about 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Ashton and some other friends met him and took them the the Hotel Shirley where they had reservations. He rested a while and later he responded to some questions from the reporters and allowed photos. At 8:00 p.m. he went the to hame of Mrs. Sidney Roberts where there were many friends and other interested parties. 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave a speech about the power of the Abhá Kingdom which enabled him to travel in spite of his weak condition. As he was leaving the pastor of the Church of Divine Science in humility asked him to speak at his church. 'Abdu'l-Baha accepted the invitation for the next evening.

Second Divine Science Church of Denver

On Tuesday, September 24, 'Abdu'l-Bahá met with Friends, seekers, professors, clergymen, and philosophers from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Afterwords he walked through parks and boulevards. In the afternoon, he was invited to the home of Mrs. Clark. A number of the Friends were present there. He gave a short talk and answered some questions. He returned to the hotel and then went to the Church of Divine Science. The reverend introduced him and he gave a talk on the reality and condition of the Manifestations of God.

On Wednesday, September 25, the Master met with various people at the Hotel then in the afternoon, he attended a public meeting at the home of Mrs. Roberts and walked in the gardens. In the evening, the proprietor of the Hotel Shirley arranged a meeting in the large hall of the hotel. The room was filled to capacity.

The Master left by train at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, September 26.

Alteria remained faithful over the next years but little is recorded about the activities in Denver.

In 1919, Alteria fell ill, and Leo devoted the final weeks of her life to caring for her. Before she died she signed the petition for 'Abdu'l-Bahá to return to America. She passed away on April 19, 1919. Leo ensured that a Bahá'í service and burial were held in accordance with her wishes. Leo also notified childhood friends in Fort Scott, Kansas, of her passing. The Fort Scott newspaper featured her obituary on the front page, noting that "Mrs. Bryant was a woman of culture and had assisted at the Bryant School of Music, the leading institution in the area about 25 years ago."