Mary Anne Bryant Mayo was born on May 24, 1845 in Convis Township, Calhoun County, Michigan, near Battle Creek. She was the eldest child of James Bryant and Ann (Atmore) Bryant. Her mother was born near Norwich, England, and came to America in 1840. Her father's family came originally from New England and New York.
Mary Anne was tutored while very young in a private school taught by two maiden aunts from New England. Later she graduated from the Battle Creek High School and began to teach a district school at seventeen. As the years went by Mary Anne and her husband continued their education through home study and Mrs. Mayo completed the four years' course of the Chautauqua Reading Circle.
Mary Anne and her husband purchased a farm and began their home-making in a log house in Marshall Township. They were active in their home neighborhood organizations, and early in their married life they identified themselves with the Grange movement. They became officers in the county Grange and were early sent as delegates to the state Grange. In the latter Mrs. Mayo acted first as lecturer, and for twelve years as chaplain, holding this office at the time of her death. Seeing what was being done for city and town women through social and study clubs, Mrs. Mayo believed that the Grange and kindred organizations offered corresponding opportunities to isolated farm women. She visited nearly every township in the state, talking at farmers' picnics, institutes, and other gatherings.
Mary Anne Bryant Mayo was noted for her efforts toward farm-community improvement as part of the Granger movement in the United States. As chairman of the woman's work committee of the State Grange, she introduced the "Fresh Air" feature by which many children of the poor in the cities were sent into the homes of the Grange for a few weeks' enjoyment of country life. She was also responsible for the origin and development of children's day in the Grange. In the activities of the Farmers' Institute she was a pioneer in holding separate women's sections at the meetings, a feature that later became permanent and accomplished much good. She was the leader and champion from the farm for a woman's department at the Michigan State Agricultural College. Her labors in this direction covered a period of from ten to fifteen years and culminated in the introduction, in 1897, of a course for women and in the erection in 1900 of a woman's building. In recognition of her services the Michigan state board of agriculture on September 11, 1931, named the new dormitory for women at the Michigan State College the Mary Mayo Hall.
Mary Anne was closely identified with many charitable and reformatory organizations in her state, particularly with the Michigan State Industrial Home for Girls at Adrian, which she served for several years as a member of the Board of Control. As a public speaker she was a general favorite wherever she went. Her writings were principally articles contributed to the Michigan Patron and the Michigan Farmer. At the time of her death probably no woman was more widely known and loved throughout her state, particularly among farm women.
On April 14, 1865, Mary was married to Perry Mayo, soon after his return from service in the Union army.
