Christian Alfred Gann

Narrative:

     Christian Alfred Gann was born on 14 Apr 1837 in Laurelton, Union Co., Pennsylvania.^8,9,10 He was probably one of the two males under age 5 listed in the household of his father, Christian Gann, in the 1840 Federal Census of Hartley Twp., Union Co., Pennsylvania.¹⁸
     His mother died about 1846, when Christian was 9 years old.¹⁹ About a year later he began to learn his father's trade, shoemaking. He followed that trade until he was 17, working at odd times. It must not have been seen as in primary interest though, because in the 1850 census his occupation was reported a farmer, presumably on the family farm.^20,21
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Hartley Twp., Union Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his father and stepmother, Ann Elizabeth Laney.²²
     Christian attended Lewistown Academy and at Williamsport. He became a teacher, teaching for some fifteen terms.²³ He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Hartley Twp., Union Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his father and stepmother.²⁴
     About this time he became a Methodist preacher, traveling from place to place. He served two years in the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which at that time included most of eastern Pennsylvania.²³
     Christian moved to Bellevue, Ohio, in 1865 and then to Flat Rock, Ohio, where he taught high school for two years.²³
     Christian married Hannah Matilda Close, daughter of Daniel Close and Hannah Mindler, on 8 Mar 1866 in Sandusky Co., Ohio, with Rev. G. A. Hughes officiating.^11,12,13
     Christian was named executor and an heir in the will of Christian Gann, his father, dated 15 Jan 1868 in Andrew Co., Missouri, to receive after the death or remarriage of Christian's wife an equal share with his seven siblings of what remained of the estate.⁵
     Christian and Hannah moved to Andrew Co., Missouri in the fall of 1868. The settled about six miles north of Savannah, living there until 1879.²³
     Christian and Hannah appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Nodaway Twp., Andrew Co., Missouri, enumerated 28 Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $8,250 and personal estate of $1,000. Their son Byron was listed as living with them, as was Belle Cooper, age 12, relationship unknown.²⁵ Christian sold a 99-acre parcel on the eastern edge of in Jackson Twp., Andrew Co., Missouri, to Benjamin Franklin Reigel on 12 Apr 1876, He paid $3,200, part in cash and part by agreeing to pay the balance due on a mortgage held by William Ferguson, dated 12 Apr 1869. The original loan was for $1,000, due in one year, at 10% interest. The amount still due was not specified.²⁶ Benjamin's wife, Esther Matilda Gann, was apparently a relative of his, though just how they were related has not been discovered. Christian bought the property back from Benjamin on 23 Nov 1877, for reasons that are unknown. He paid them $2,500 and while it is not mentioned in the deed, he evidently also re-assumed responsibility for the mortgage as it was not paid off until 5 Jun 1883. It is unclear whether this amounted to the same or a different price than they originally paid.²⁷
     Christian and Hannah moved to Nodaway Co. on 14 Feb 1879, to a farm just south of Maryville.²⁰ They appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Polk Twp., Nodaway Co., Missouri, enumerated 1 Jun 1880. Their children Byron and Christian were listed as living with them, as were Charles Zeliff, age 24, a farm hand, and Rebecca Howell, age 18, a servant.²⁸
     Christian and Hannah appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Maryville, Nodaway Co., Missouri, at 111 Lawn Ave., enumerated 12 Jun 1900, reporting they owned their home, which was mortgaged. Their son Christian was listed as living with them.²⁹
     Christian and Hannah appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Maryville, Nodaway Co., Missouri, at 1308 East 1st St., enumerated 3 May 1910, reporting they owned their home, which was mortgaged.³⁰
     He was a farmer after he moved to Missouri, though he continued to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church. An 1882 local history described his farm as 360 acres of improved land, with a fine residence, a good wind-mill, a creamery and a fine orchard, well stocked with graded stock. He became a life insurance agent by 1900. By 1910 he had retired, living on his "own income." in Missouri.^{31,32,20,33,34}
     Christian and Hannah appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Maryville, Nodaway Co., Missouri, at 302 East 6th St., enumerated 6 Feb 1920, reporting they were renting their home.³⁵
     Christian died on 19 Jun 1921 in Maryville, Nodaway Co., Missouri, at age 84.^14,15 He was buried on 21 Jun 1921 in Oak Hill Cemetery, Maryville, Nodaway Co., Missouri.^16,17