Irlo Bronson, Sr.

For his son, also a former Florida State Representative, see Irlo Bronson, Jr.
Irlo O. Bronson, Sr.
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the Osceola County district
In office
1943–1951
Member of the Florida Senate
from the 33rd district
In office
1953–1966
Personal details
Born (1900-08-03)August 3, 1900
Kissimmee, Florida
Died March 3, 1973(1973-03-03) (aged 72)
Kissimmee, Florida
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Flora Belle Bass Bronson
Children Inelle Bronson Kelley Dyer (1928–1996)
Irlo Overstreet Bronson, Jr.
(born 1936)

Irlo Overstreet Bronson, Sr. (August 3, 1900 – March 3, 1973) was an American politician, rancher and land owner in the state of Florida.[1] Bronson is perhaps best known for selling land to Walt Disney for the construction of Disney World.

Biography

Bronson was born into a prominent cattle ranching family[2] in 1900 in Kissimmee to parents George Cephus and Spicey Vianaha (Overstreet) Bronson.[3] His maternal grandfather, Eleazer Lewis Daniel Overstreet, had previously served in the Florida House of Representatives.[1] He married Flora Belle Bass, (September 21, 1907 – September 27, 1970) of Kissimmee, daughter of Walter Bass and Mary Yates Bass in Clearwater, Florida on June 22, 1924.[4]

He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1942, in which he continued to serve, until his election to the Florida State Senate in 1952. He served as speaker pro tempore in 1953.[4][5]

Bronson is perhaps best known as the owner of the land Walt Disney Productions purchased that would later become the grounds of Walt Disney World.[2] He sold it "without hesitation" for about $100 per acre.[2] Though his family had thought he had given away the land for virtually nothing, it was said that Bronson envisioned "a future that included better career opportunities and incentives for young people to stay."[2] He also was the founder and president of the Florida Cattlemen's Association from 1946 to 1950.[5]

A 1952 biography on Bronson described him as "an outstanding factor in the life of Osceola County and the state."[6] Following his death in 1973, a large section of U.S. Route 192, including the section leading to the entrance of Walt Disney World, was named the Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in his memory.[2] He was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1981,[7] and the Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame on November 14, 1985.[5]

His son, Irlo "Bud" Bronson, Jr. served as a Democrat Florida State Representative from District 79, having been initially elected in 1982.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 Kestenbaum, Lawrence (2006). "Index to Politicians: Bronson". Political Graveyard. Lawrence Kestenbaum. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Robinson, Jim (July 19, 1998). "Land Baron Opened Door For Disney World". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  3. ↑ White, James Terry. The National cyclopaedia of American biography: being the history of the United States as illustrated in the lives of the founders, builders, and defenders of the republic, and of the men and women who are doing the work and moulding the thought of the present time. 57. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  4. 1 2 Tebeau, Charlton W.; Carson, Ruby Leach. Florida from Indian trail to space age: a history. 3. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Adams, Peter (November 15, 1985). "Hall Of Fame Adds 3 Names To Roster". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  6. ↑ Dovell, Junius Elmore (1952). 29, 2011 Florida: historic, dramatic, contemporary Check |url= value (help). 3.
  7. ↑ "Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame". Florida-Agriculture.com. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Representative Irlo "Bud" Bronson". MyFloridaHouse.gov. Florida House of Representatives. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
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