John Gann Jr.

Narrative:

     John Gann Jr. was born on 13 Dec 1807 in Dry Valley, Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.^6,7,8
     He was probably one of the three males under age 10 listed in the household of his father, John Gann, in the 1810 Federal Census of Nippenose Twp., Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.¹⁵ He was probably one of the three males age 10 to 16 listed in the household of his father in the 1820 Federal Census of Nippenose Twp., Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.¹⁶ He was probably one of the three males age 20 to 30 listed in the household of his father in the 1830 Federal Census of Adams Twp., Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.¹⁷
     John married first Adeline Cruse on 21 Nov 1834 in Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.^9,10 She apparently died before 1840.
     John married second Rachel Kauffman on 10 Mar 1840 in Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.^9,11,12
     John appeared on the 1840 Federal Census of Limestone Twp., Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania, with a household consisting of one male under age 5 (son Alfred), one age 5 to 10 (William), two age 20 to 30 (unknown), and one age 30 to 40 (himself), and one female age 15 to 20 (unknown), and one age 20 to 30 (wife Rachel.)¹
     After his father died intestate, John, as eldest surviving son, filed a petition for partition of real estate with the Lycoming Co. Orphan's Court in its Dec 1844 term, seeking partition of the three parcels of land his father had owned at his death.⁴
     John and Rachel appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Limestone Twp., Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania, enumerated 14 Aug 1850, reported owning $6,000 in real estate. Their children Adaline, Catharine, John, Amelia, Sarah and Mary, and his children by his prior marriage, William and Alfred, were listed as living with them.²
     John and Rachel appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Oval, Limestone Twp., Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania, enumerated 14 Jun 1860, reporting $9,500 in real estate and $2,000 in personal property. Their children Adaline, Catharine, John, Amelia, Sarah, Mary, Rachael and Esther and his son William were listed as living with them.¹⁸
     He was a farmer. He was described in 1906 as "an excellent farmer, owning 400 acres of land in Nippenose Twp., and as a citizen much respected, filling several township offices."^5,19,2,18

A Very Specific Will --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     John left a will dated 28 Apr 1869 stating he was of Limestone Twp., Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania, naming his brother Israel and his friend Samuel Buffington as executors. In it, he directed that all his real estate, stock, farming utensils, grain in the ground, hay and other produce on hand, all household goods, furniture, beds and bedding and personal property was to remain under the control and management of his wife Rachel until his youngest child reached the age of 21. It was to be "occupied and enjoyed" by such of his children who remained there with her consent. She was allowed to advance money to the older children, at 6% interest, which if not repaid was to be deducted from their eventual share of the estate. His executors were to collect the amounts owed, including those due from his sons William and Alfred, which if not collected was to be deducted from their shares. The estate was to be divided when his youngest child reached age 21 or his wife died if before that. If living, she was to have any personal property and farm utensils she chose. Then the estate was to be apprised, and the children were each to receive shares of equal value. If they could not agree on their shares everything was to be sold and the proceeds divided equally, except that one-third was to be held aside and the interest on it paid to his wife as long as she lived. Shares paid to his daughters was to be held in their names, not in control of their husbands.²⁰
     John died on 10 Jun 1869 at age 61.^6,13 He was buried in St. Peters Lutheran Church Cemetery, Collomsville, Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.^3,14
     His will was proved on 17 Jun 1869.²⁰