Biographical Sketch of Francis M. Gann, Dallas County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
 Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Published 1889, Goodspeed
 Publishing Company.

Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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Francis M. Gann, who is also classed among the prominent and enter-
prising citizens of Dallas County, was born in Hamilton County, 
Tenn., March 12, 1848, and is the son of Cornelius and Lydia 
(Morland) Gann, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively.
The father was born August 3, 1819, and died in Dallas County, MO.,
December 3, 1875.  The mother was born in 1817, and is still living
on the old homestead in Washington Township, Dallas County, MO.  They
were married in Tennessee, where they lived until 1853, when they came
to Webster County, MO., and there resided until 1857.  They then came
to Dallas County, and located in the neighborhood of where their son,
Francis M., now lives.  He was a successful farmer, the result of in-
dustry and good management; was a Republican in politics, and both he
and wife were members of the Baptist Church for many years, he being 
deacon of the same.  In 1861 he enlisted and served six months in the
State Militia, or Home Guards, then enlisted in Company B, Twenty-
fourth Missouri Infantry, Federal Army, and served until honorably
discharged at St. Louis, MO., in the latter part of 1864.  He was in
the battles of Pea Ridge, Tupelo, Miss., Pleasant Hill, LA., and many
other skirmishes.  To his marriage were born ten children, our subject
being the fourth:  Sarah E., Martha J., Delilah, Francis M., Thomas
(deceased), Nancy, Sallie, James M., John and Henry D.  Thomas was 
born March 12, 1850, and died November 1, 1888.  Of this family
Francis M. is the eldest son.  He remained at home and assisted in 
taking care of the balance of the family until seventeen years of age,
or until August, 1864, when he enlisted in Company F, Sixteenth 
Missouri Cavalry, Federal Army, and served until June 23, 1865, he 
being the youngest soldier in his regiment.  On September 10, 1865, he
married Miss Clara J. Alley, a native of Kentucky, born November 23,
1847, and the daughter of Wiley and Charlotta (Shelton) Alley.  This
union was blessed by the birth of ten children, viz.: James W., who
died when seven years of age; Rebecca Ann, wife of T.F. Legan, a 
farmer of Dallas County, MO.; John W., at home; Martha J., at home;
Starling C., also at home; George R., died in his third year; Marion,
Joseph, Franklin N., Lucy E., and Thomas J.  When first married Mr.
Gann began life as a farmer, and this he has since continued.  He is 
the owner of a well-located and well-improved farm, and he and wife
are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, Mr. Gann at present 
being clerk of the same.  He is a Republican in politics, and is a
member of the G.A.R.
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