The Gant Families of Ray County, Missouri

J. D. GANT, M. D.

Dr. J. D. Gant is the son of James and Mary Gant; he was born on the 17th day of June, 1822, in Orange county, North Carolina. Attended the schools of his native county, and lived there until 1837, when he came to Ray county, Missouri, with his parents, and settled on a farm about seven miles northwest of Richmond. He worked on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, and then began the study of medicine. Entered the St. Louis Medical College in 1849, and after attending three courses of lectures, graduated from that institution, receiving his diploma in 1854. He returned to this county- in the month of July, 1854, and locating at Knoxville, commenced the practice of his profession, which he has ever since continued there. About three years ago he established a drug store and has since conducted that business in connection with his practice. Dr. Gant was married to Miss Sarah A. Creason, on the loth day of May, 1855. She is the daughter of Goodwin and Sarah Creason, and was born in this county, October 31, 1837. She has borne Dr. Gant five children, four of whom are yet living. Their names, with dates of birth are: Marietta, born October 7, 1857, died March 12, 1871; Carrie F., born September 13, 1859; Ida F., born January 25, 1861; William F., born May 12, 1863; Samuel G., born May 9, 1866. Dr. Gant owns more than one thousand acres of land, about eight hundred and forty acres of which are in a fine state of cultivation, well improved, with handsome, commodious residence, good barns, and other buildings. The farm is well watered, and has a good, thrifty bearing orchard of about six acres. The doctor is also engaged largely in raising and feeding live stock, of which he handles only the best varieties. He is a leading member of the order of A. F. & A. M. Mrs. Gant is a member of the M. E. Church South. Dr. Gant keeps abreast with the progress of his profession, and in his practice is universally popular and very successful.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

T. R. GANT.

Thomas R. Gant was born in Orange county, North Carolina, March 31, 1836. His parents removed with him to Ray county, Missouri, when he was but two years of age, and he has spent most of the time since in this county. He was engaged in farming and stock-raising until about the year 1872, when he commenced merchandising, and has continued that business ever since. He is now located at the town of Vibbard, and with his brothers, is conducting a large store at that place under the title of T. R. Gant & Bros. They own the fine store building in which they do business, and are also proprietors of the telephone and hack line between Vibbard and Excelsior Springs. Messrs. T. R. Gant & Bros, are doing a thriving and profitable trade, their sales last year, in the aggregate amounting to $20,000.00. Mr. Gant was married at Richmond, this county, to Mrs. Ann E. Green, daughter of Jackson Hughes. She was born in Ray county, Missouri, April 16, 1839. They became the parents of five children: Ada F., born December 6, 1869; John N., born June 25, 1871; Anna Lee, born April 4, 1873; Thomas E., born August 23, 1876; Anna P., born October 6, 1879. Anna Lee and Anna P. are both dead. Mrs. Gant had two children by her former marriage: Mary D., (Green), born April 18, 1859; Richard, K. (Green), born June 9, 1861. Mr. Gant is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 384, A. F. & A. M., and his wife is a member of the M. E. Church South.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSHUA B. GANT.

Joshua Butler Gant is a native of Ray county, Missouri, born April 15, 1848. He was reared on a farm and engaged, after growing up, in farming, until the age of twenty-nine years, when he and his brothers entered the mercantile business at the town of Vibbard, Ray county. This business they have ever since conducted, and now have a nourishing trade besides owning the handsome store house in which their stock is kept, and other valuable property in Vibbard. Mr. J. B. Gant is a practical experienced business man, a good citizen and a valuable member of the community in which he lives.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH P. GANT.

Joseph P. Gant was born in Ray county, Missouri, November 7, 1850. Has lived here during his entire life. He engaged in mercantile business with his brothers at Vibbard in 1872, and is now a partner in the store, though at present, (May, 1881), is conducting a stage line between Vibbard and Excelsior Springs. Mr. Gant was married March 25, 1879, to Miss Jennie M. Bissell, by Rev. S. J. HufFaker. Mrs. Gant was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, May 5, 1856. Mr. Gant is an active, enterprising young man, and is much esteemed by his numerous friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CYRUS D. GANT.

Cvrus D. Gant was born in Ray county, Missouri, September 10, 1839. He is the son of Joshua A. Gant, a native of North Carolina. At the age of twenty Years, he began to work for himself, and was, September 17, 1866, married to Miss Ella M. Hughes, daughter of John and Deborah Hughes, natives of Kentucky. They have six children: William, born September 2, 1867; James N., born November 17, 1868; Leila, born March 1, 1874; Ora L., born January 10, 1876; Maud, born September 3, 1878; Ella, born March 13, 1881. When the civil war commenced, Mr. Gaut enlisted in company C, Third Missouri Confederate cavalry and served with that regiment for six months, and was then transferred to the Third Missouri infantry, in which he served throughout the remainder of the war. He participated in the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, first and second Iuka, Corinth, Vicksburg, Grand Gulf, Black River, Atlanta, Kenesaw and Franklin or Stone River. At the last named battle he was wounded five times, and being left on the field, fell into the hands of the Union troops. He was kept at Franklin two months and was then sent to the hospital at Nashville, where he remained about the same length of time. He was released at Camp Chase in Ohio the same day that President Lincoln was assassinated. He walked to St. Louis, and there meeting a friend who kindly furnished him with the necessary means he was enabled to take passage on the steamboat up the river and thus reached home again after an absence of more than three years. Mr. Gant is now engaged as a trade and dealer in live stock. He does a thriving, paying business, and is a valuable member of the community of Vibbard, where he resides. He is highly respected by his neighbors and friends, and is a leading and influential citizen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.