Samuel Gann of Winchester Va Family

From Bill Gann, Independence, MO. From Nina Graham, 806 S 3rd St, Odessa, MO 64076-1455 (816)633-4094 4/23/96.

From History of Buchanan & Clinton Co's Mo., 1893, Pg 497: Elbert S. Gann. The life of this gentleman, of which we give a brief outline, affords an illustrations of the power of courage and industry in enabling a man to overcome difficulties of no ordinary kind. He was ten years of age when he came to this county and as his father was in limited circumstances he was not allowed to attend school (there being no schools or churches), but thus early in life began making his own way in the world. He labored untiringly, undaunted by the many obstacles that beset his path, and as the years went by, invested his earnings, and now, as a reward of his efforts, has gained prosperity. He owns considerable real estate and is numbered among the most successful farmers of Washington Township, Buchanan County, his home being located on Section 28. The parents of our subject, Isaac and Annie (Clark) Gann, were natives of Tennessee, the father's birth occurring in 1782. Isaac Gann,during the Seminole War, enlisted as a soldier and with his company was engaged in service in the swamps of Florida. In his native state he met and married Miss Clark and made his home there until 1834, when they removed to this state and for a short time resided in La Fayette County, a short distance from Greentown. Later they made their way to Davis Creek, in the same county, and in 1838 became identified with the residents of Buchanan County, their home being situated within one mile of Pottawatomie village. His new claim consisted of raw prairie land upon which he erected a log cabin and began the work of improvement and cultivation, being enabled before his death to place thirty-five acres under the plow. The parents died within two months of each other, the father passing away in August 1846, and the mother in October of that year. Of the twelve children born to Isaac and Annie Gann, three are now living, the brother and sister of our subject being Samuel A. and Susan, the latter of whom makes her home in Bolen, Kans. Elbert S. Gann was the youngest of the large family, his birth occurring May 3, 1828, in Cooke County, Tenn. As before stated, he was unable to attend school, but remained at home assisting his father in clearing their new land until reaching his seventeenth year when he offered his services to the Government as a teamster in the Mexican War, starting from Fort Leavenworth June 7, 1846, his destination being Fort Bentz, N. Mex. Later, returning to Fort Leavenworth, he was discharged the following year, and entering the Oregon Battalion as a teamster, went to Table Creek, Neb., where the train went into winter quarters. The following spring, the soldiery being ordered against the Indians in North Dakota, young Gann accompanied them as far as Fort Vermillion, where they were engaged in conflict until December. Again taking up their quarters at Table Creek, our subject was discharged, together with his fellows, and returned home. The two succeeding years following his return to civil life our subject was engaged in farming, but in 1850 made his way across the plains with an ox team to Sacramento City, the trip consuming four and one-half months. After working in the mines a short time he found that business was not a paying one in that locality, and opening up a small farm in the valley sought to try his fortunes in cultivating the soil. Finding that venture unsuccessful, he engaged to work in the extreme northern mines on the Trinity and Shasta rivers, where he remained for eight months. Returning home at the expiration of that time, the vessel on which he embarked was wrecked between Sacramento and Acapulco. Mr. Gann and twenty-vie others left the ship and made their way from the latter place to the City of Mexico and thence through the mountains on horseback to Vera Cruz, where they engaged passage to New Orleans and were again wrecked, lying out thirteen days and nights. Finally reaching the Crescent city, Mr. Gann came home by way of St. Louis. The following year, however, he went to Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana with a drove of horses, which trip ended his desire for travel, and since that time he has been engaged in farming. Purchasing the property adjoining the estate of his father, Mr. Gann there made his home until 1863, when he took up his abode in Center Township. After a residence there of twelve years he located on Section 28. He has five hundred acres of splendidly improved land in Center and Washington Townships. The lady who in 1849 became the wife of Mr. Gann was Miss Polly, the daughter of Samuel D. Ferrill, who had the honor of being Colonel of the first regiment ever mustered in Buchanan County. Mrs. Gann was born in Clay County, this state, in 1832, and after having become the mother of five children, departed this life August 1, 1864. The family included the following named: Samuel D., who married Emma McCauley, is the father of seven children; S. Ellen, who is the wife of W. P. Samson, has six children; Bettie J. (she is now deceased), who married George B.McCauley, was the mother of two children; George I. married Emma Montgomery; William T., who is the husband of Alice Roberts, has four childre. Mr. Gann is prominent in Masonic circles, having been a member of that order for the past twenty-eight years. He is one of the best known members of the farming community in this section and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. He takes little interest in politics, but during the Civil War was a member of the Paw Paw Militia. St. Joseph Daily News, St. Joseph, Mo., Friday, August 8, 1902, Page 8, Column 2. Elbert S. Is Dead. He came to Buchanan County about forty years ago. Elbert S. Gann, a pioneer settler of Buchanan County, died at 3:30 o'clock this morning at his home near the southwest city limits, where he had lived for many years. Mr. Gann came to this county from Tennessee, his native state, more than forty years ago, and was widely known throughout the country. He was without school privileges in his youth and was lacking in education, but managed large business interests admirably. He is survived by three sons, George, William and Samuel, all of whom live in this county, being a member of the commission firm of Trower & Company, doing business at the south St. Joseph Exchange.