Irlo Bronson Sr.

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

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	August 3, 1900 Kissimmee, Florida
Died	March 3, 1973 (aged 72) Kissimmee, Florida
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Flora Belle Bass
Children	Inelle Bronson Kelley Dyer (1928–1996) Irlo Overstreet Bronson Jr. (1936–2017)

Biography

Bronson was born into a prominent cattle ranching family[2][3][n 1][3] in 1900 in Kissimmee to parents George Cephus and Spicey Vianna (Overstreet) Bronson.[4] His maternal grandfather, Eleazar Lewis Daniel (E.L.D.) Overstreet, had previously served in the Florida House of Representatives.[1] He married Flora Belle Bass, (September 21, 1906 – September 27, 1971) of Kissimmee, daughter of Walter ‘Mann’ Bass and Mary Nancy (Yates) Bass in Clearwater, Florida on June 22, 1924.[5]

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.[5][6]

Bronson is perhaps best known as the owner of some land which Walt Disney Productions purchased that would later become part of the grounds of Walt Disney World.[2] He sold it "without hesitation" for about $100 per acre ($250/ha).[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.[6]

A 1952 biography on Bronson described him as "an outstanding factor in the life of Osceola County and the state."[7] 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,[8] and the Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame on November 14, 1985.[6]

His son, Irlo "Bud" Bronson Jr. served as a Democrat Florida State Representative from District 79, having been initially elected in 1982.[9]

References

Notes

1. Includes a photo of Irlo Bronson with Henry Reaves, Charles "Shang" Bronson, and others in working attire with horses and stetsons. The party appears to be wearing brogans instead of "cowboy boots".[3]

Citations

1. Kestenbaum, Lawrence (2006). "Index to Politicians: Bronson". Political Graveyard. Lawrence Kestenbaum. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
2. Robinson, Jim (July 19, 1998). "Land Baron Opened Door for Disney World". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
3. Jim Robison (January 1, 2009). Historic Osceola County: An Illustrated History. HPN Books. pp. 79–81. ISBN 978-1-935377-02-3.
4. 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. p. 61. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
5. Tebeau, Charlton W.; Carson, Ruby Leach. Florida from Indian trail to space age: a history. 3. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
6. Adams, Peter (November 15, 1985). "Hall Of Fame Adds 3 Names To Roster". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
7. Dovell, Junius Elmore (1952). Florida: Historic, Dramatic, Contemporary - Volume=3. p. 61. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
8. "Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame". Florida-Agriculture.com. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
9. "Representative Irlo "Bud" Bronson". MyFloridaHouse.gov. Florida House of Representatives. Retrieved May 29, 2011.