Elbert Gann 1828-1902

Gann Family Genealogy Forum
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Re: Oregon Gann Families
Posted by: Peggy Gann In Reply to: Oregon Gann Families by David F. Reynolds
Date: July 28, 1998
Generation No 2
Samuel D. Gann, born January 08, 1851 in California; died January 21, 1929 in Long Beach, California. He was the son of 4. Elbert Sevier Gann and 5. Belle G. Ferrill.
He married 3. Emma Lavina McCauley 1874 in Missouri. 3. Emma Lavina McCauley, born May 06, 1856 in St Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri; died May 25, 1938 in Long Beach, California. She was the daughter of 6. Samuel B. McCauley and 7. Louisa Maxwell.
Notes for Samuel D. Gann: Listed on the 1880 Federal Census, Buchanan County, Missouri Samuel D. 39 born California, Emma 22, James W. 4, Ranson 2, Charles F. 10 months, all born in Missouri.

Children of Samuel Gann and Emma McCauley are:
i. James Wilson Gann, born 1876 in Missouri; married Margaret ?.

ii. Ransom Gann, born 1878 in Missouri; married Emma ?.

iii. Charles F. Gann, born 1879 in Missouri; died 1949 in Missouri; married Margaret H. Vandeloe.

iv. Hugh Gann, born 1881 in Buchanan County, Missouri.

v. Myrtle Agnes Gann, born April 11, 1883 in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri; died June 13, 1960 in Buchanan
County, Missouri; married Robert Thomas Vestal October 04, 1906 in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.
Notes for Myrtle Agnes Gann: Myrtle was a member of the Sparta Baptist Church, which was across the road from the Methodist Church. When the Baptist church burned, she joined the Methodist and became a charter member of the Methodist Ladies Aid. Notes for Robert Thomas Vestal: Rober lived in Crawford Township, Buchanan County, Missouri near the southwest Buchanan line, on an 80 acre farm, l mile east of the Sparta Church, throughout his married life. Robert served as a school board member from 1932 until his death. He was an active Democrat in his ward in Center Township. There is information about this family in the newest History of Buchanan County.

vi. Etta Amanda Gann, born February 25, 1892 in Reedsport, Douglas County, Oregon; died September 01, 1970 in Lakeside, Coos County, Oregon; married Jack Gabriel Bergeron in Long Beach, California.

vii. Samuel E. Gann, born 1897 in Buchanan County, Missouri.

viii. Marion Gann, born 1899 in Buchanan County, Missouri.

Generation No. 3

4. Elbert Sevier Gann, born May 03, 1828 in Cocke County, Tennessee; died August 08, 1902 in St. Joseph, Buchanana County, Missouri. He was the son of 8. Isaac Reuben Gann and 9. Anna Clark.
He married 5. Belle G. Ferrill June 17, 1849 in St Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri. 5. Belle G. Ferrill, born 1832 in Clay County, Missouri; died August 01, 1864 in St Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri. She was the daughter of 10. Samuel D. Ferrill and 11. ? Lewis.

Notes for Elbert Sevier Gann:
From History of Buchanan & Clinton Counties, Missouri, 1893 Elbert S. Gann. The life of this gentleman, of which we give a brief outline, affords an illustration of power, of courage, and industry in enabling a man to overcome difficulties of no ordinary kind.
He was 10 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 earning, and now as a reward of his efforts has gained prosperity. He owns considerable real estate and is numbered among the most successsful farmers of Washington Township, Buchanan County, his home being located on Section 28.
His parents, 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 LaFayette 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 35 acres under the plow.
The parents died within 2 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, Kansas.
Elbert S. Gann was the youngest of the large family, his birth occurring May 3, 1828, in Cocke County, Tennessee. 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, New Mexico. Later, returning to Fort Leavenworth, he was discharged the following year, and entering the Oregon Battalion as a teamster, went to Table Creek, Nebraska, 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, Elbert was discharged, together with his fellows, and returned home.
The two succeeding years following his return to civil life Elbert 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 of 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. Elbert and 25 others left the ship and made their way from Acapulco to Mexico City and thence through the mountains on horseback to Vera Cruz, where they engaged passage to New Orleans and were again wrecked, lying out 13 days and nights. Finally, reaching Crescent City, Elbert came home by way of St. Louis.
The following year however, he went tot Texas, Mississippi and Louisana with a drove of horses. This trip ended his desire for travel, and since that time he has been engaged in farming.
Purchasing the property adjoining the state of his father, Elbert mad his home there until 1863, when he took up his abode in Center Township. After a residence there of 12 years he located on Section 28. He has 500 acres of splendidly improved land in Canter and Washington Townships.
The lady who in 1849 became the wife of Elbert as 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 having become mother of 5 children, departed this life August 1, 1864.
The family included the following named:
Samuel D, married Emma McCauley, is the father of seven children;
S. Ellen, married W. P. Samson, has six childrn;
Bettie J. (deceased) married George G. McCauley, was the mother of two children; George I. married Emma Montgomery;
William T. married Alice Roberts has four children.

Elbert is prominent in Masonic circles, having been a member for the past 28 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, Missouri, Friday, August 8, 1902
Elbert S. Gann is Dead. He came to Buchanan County about 40 years ago. Elbert S. Gann, a pioneer settler of Buchanan County, died at 3:30 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 thought the country. He was without school privileges in his youth and was lacking in education, but managed large business interest 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.
Children of Elbert Gann and Belle Ferrill are:

i. Samuel D. Gann, born January 08, 1851 in California; died January 21, 1929 in Long Beach, California; married Emma Lavina McCauley 1874 in Missouri.
ii. Sarah Ellen Gann, born 1854 in Missouri; died Aft. 1874; married W. P. Sampson 1874 in Missouri.
iii. Elizabeth Jane Gann, born June 21, 1854 in Buchanan County, Missouri; died 1890; married George Bell McCauley in Missouri.
iv. George I. Gann, born 1856 in Missouri; married Emilie Montgomery January 12, 1879 in Buchanan County, Missouri.
v. William T. Gann, born 1857 in Missouri; married (1) Alice B. Roberts 1881 in Missouri; married (2) Susie E. ? 1892.

Samuel B. McCauley, born 1819 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; died 1888 in Buchanan County, Missouri. He was the son of 12. George McCauley and 13. Catharine Schreyer.
He married 7. Louisa Maxwell. 7. Louisa Maxwell, born 1824 in Tennessee; died 1889.

Children of Samuel McCauley and Louisa Maxwell are:
i. George Bell McCauley, born January 14, 1849 in Buchanan County, Missouri; died December 24, 1908; married Elizabeth Jane Gann in Missouri.
ii. Samuel B. McCauley , Jr., born December 18, 1852; died October 1912; married Adeline Harness. 3
iii. Emma Lavina McCauley, born May 06, 1856 in St Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri; died May 25, 1938 in Long Beach, California; married Samuel D. Gann 1874 in Missouri.
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Loved your story.

I have visited the Joseph Oregon Museum in the Wallowa's. They have a lot on SEVIER. My friend is a Serier but no relation.

There is a spot called SEVIER outside Enterprise Oregon. It shows up on www.mapquest.com
Laura
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My great great grandfather was William T. Gann a brother to Elbert Sevier Gann. I believe that they must have kept in touch through the years, as some of this story has been passed down for several generations in my family. Also my great great grandfather had a son that he named Elbert born 1857 in Texas. Probably Elbert's son William T. was named for his brother and my great great grandfather.

I have a cardboard picture looks to have been made in late 1800's, maybe early 1900's in Eastman Studio Seattle, Washington. The picture is of two women and two men. They were among my grandparents belongings. My great grandmother Mary Gann Griffin lived with them for some time. Could this picture be some of your Ganns?
G Fowler
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Thanks for posting the information on your line of Gann. I descend from Nathan Gann, the brother of your Isaac Reuben Gann. I will gladly add your information to my Gann file, and credit you with the information. This is what makes genealogy so much fun. It's amazing how far some of our ancestors traveled! Can't you just imagine the hardships they endured?
Patsy Ford Childs
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Thanks Peggy for all the help with the Gann family.
Charles F. Gann had 3 sons.
Leland C. Gann--St. Joseph, MO
Louis F. Gann --Sexton, MO
Theodore W. Gann --Easton, MO
wife Edna Pearle Wheeler
They had 14 children--7 sons and 7 daughters
I'm from their first child daughter Betty Jo Gann
their first 13 children are still living near the Buchanan Co, Missouri area.
P.S. is Johannes Gann the start of this long Gann line?
And where does the Cherokee blood come in this line.
My mom remembers her grandfather Charles F telling her a story of one of the Gann grandfathers married to an indian but she was only around six and can't remember who and where.
Thanks for all your work on the Gann line.
Sherry
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Peggy
I am not related to your Ganns, but Elbert Sevier Gann caught my eye. He is the fourth Elbert Sevier I have found from TN. The others were an Elbert Sevier Fraker, and the other two were both Smiths. One of which was my g-grandfather, Elbert Sevier Smith b. 1831, Knox Co., TN. The E. S. Fraker was a 1st cousin him.
I know that the Sevier name was taken from Col. John Sevier, Rev. War hero and the first Gov. of TN. Sevier Co, is also named for him, but do you have any idea where Elbert originated?
Barry F. Smith
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Etta Manda Gann was born 25 Feb 1892 in St Joseph, Missouri--
she DIED 24 Aug 1970 in Reedsport, Oregon in a nursing home. She lived in Lakeside, Oregon with her husband Jack Gabriel Bergeron.
Thanks
Tanya