Hamilton County Biographies E-G

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Elder, John W, Jr.

           John W. Elder, Jr., of Chattanooga is a native of Trenton, Tenn., born August 2, 1653, and a son of Henry L. and Harriet N. (Houston) Elder, natives of Tennessee. Our subject was educated in the University of Tennessee, and graduated from that institution in 1874. He studied law under ex-Supreme Judge T. J. Freeman and practiced law from 1876 (the time he came to Chattanooga) until 1881, when, on account of failing health, he relinquished the profession, and has since been actively engaged in the real estate and insurance business, representing Queen of England, Sun, Fire, of London; Equitable, of Nashville; Washington Fire and Marine, Of Boston, and Fire Insurance Association, of London. May 18, 1881, be married Miss B. McMillin, of Chattanooga, a daughter of D. C. McMillin, Sr. Mr. Elder is a Democrat, a member of the Royal Arcanum and present Commander of American Legion of Honor (local lodge) and also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

Elder, L. M. 

          L. M. Elder, a legal practitioner of the firm of Elder & White, is a native of Trenton, Tenn., and a graduate of the University of Virginia in 1873. He then returned to Trenton, where he was admitted to the bar the same year. He practiced law alone for about one year, after which he was a member of the firm of Jones & Elder until the date of his coming to Chattanooga, November, 1876. In 1875, he married Miss Mary Saffarans, a native of Memphis, who bore him five children-one son and four daughters. Mr. Elder practiced in the firm of Elder & Elder until 1882, after which he practiced alone until June of the same year, when the present firm was formed by our subject and George T. White. Our subject was president of the Y. M. C. A. of Chattanooga during 1880 and 1881, and is now a member of the board of directors. His father, John W., is a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and is at present president of the Gibson County Bank at Trenton, Tenn. The mother of our subject, Martha G. (Houston) Elder, was a native of Blount County, was reared in Alabama, and died at Trenton in 1878.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

Eldridge, Jessie C.

            J. C. Eldridge M. D., a prominent practicing physician of the Second Civil District, James County, Tenn., was born near his present location July 9, 1846, and is the son of S. M. and Nancy Eldridge. The father was born in Roane County, Tenn., about 1811. He came to this location in 1835. He is a farmer, and has been very successful. The mother is also still living. Our subject is the eldest of nine children; he has an academical education, secured at Savannah Seminary, and afterward at Riceville, McMinn Co., Tenn. He studied medicine under Dr. T. H. Roddy, at Ooltewah, James Co., Tenn. In the summer of 1863 he enlisted in Company H of the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry (Federal Army), and was elected corporal. He was in active service until February 16, 1865, when  he lost his left arm at Memphis, and was in the hospital until October 18, 1865, when he returned home. In 1871 he attended lectures at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, and in 1874 began the practice of medicine at his present location, continuing two years, when he went to Igou's Ferry, but returned to his former location after five years. He has secured a large and increasing practice by untiring energy. He is also engaged in farming. March 10, 1875, he married Miss Mary E. McGill, who was born in Hamilton County, Tenn., November 23, 1857. She has a good education, secured at Soddy Seminary. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is the daughter of D. N. and Mary A. McGill. Our subject's union has resulted in the birth of six children, all living, their names being James W., Simeon A., David N., Mary C., Betty G. and Isaac C. Our subject is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

“Goodspeed’s History of East Tennessee,” James County , 1887.
1880 US Census, District 2, James Co., TN; Page 319.

Frazier, James B.

           James B. Frazier, of the legal firm of Shepherd & Frazier, is a native of the Sequatchie Valley of Tennessee, but was reared principally in the city of Nashville where he had exceptionally good school advantages. He pursued the regular course of study at the University of Tennessee, located at Knoxville, from which institution he graduated in 1878, and then began the study of law under the tuition of his father who is recognized as one of the ablest attorneys at the Nashville bar. He was admitted to practice in 1879, and the year following removed to Chattanooga and embarked in the practice of his profession, where he has acquired a good and steadily increasing practice. He continued alone until Jannary 1, 1884, when the present firm of Shepherd & Frazier was formed. Mr. Frazier is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is an able attorney and a first-class citizen in every respect. In 1883 he wedded Miss Lou Keith, who is a native of Athens, Tenn. His father, Thomas M. Frazier, is a native of Greene County, this State, but since 1869 has been a resident of Nashville, where for twelve years he served as judge of the criminal court. The mother of our subject was Margaret M. McReynolds, a native of Bledsoe County, Tenn.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

Frazier, S. J. A.

            S. J. A. Frazier, of Hill City, Hamilton Co., Tenn., is a native of the eastern division of the State, his birth occurring in Rhea County, in 1840. Graduating at the East Tennessee University at Knoxville, just before the war, he entered the Confederate service, and arose to the rank of captain in the Nineteenth Tennessee Regiment. At Chickamauga be was shot through the windpipe and captured, and confined at Johnston's, Island, until the close of the war. In 1870 he was elected attorney-general for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Tennessee; moved to Hamilton County in 1882, and became one of the earliest settlers and chief founders of Hill City. To his marriage with Annie Keith, which was solemnized in 1871, two children have been born, Alleck and Sallie. In the last Democratic convention Mr. Frazier was a prominent candidate for Congress.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

Gahagan, Andrew J.

           Andrew T. Gahagan, of Chattanooga, was born in Madison County, N. C., February 23, 1844, son of George W. and Mary E. (West) Gahagan, natives respectively of South and North Carolina. Our subject was reared and educated in North Carolina, and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in Company D, First Tennessee Cavalry (United States Volunteers), and during service was promoted to the rank of second and first lieutenant. During the last year of the war he served as quartermaster of his regiment. In 1867 he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Chattanooga but retired from this in 1878 and was elected trustee of Hamilton County, serving by re-election two terms or until 1882, when he was elected assistant cashier of the First National Bank. In 1884 he became a member of the firm of Loomis, Hart & Co., having charge of the finances of said firm. On the 1st of March, 1871, he married Eliza J. Dugger, of Chattanooga, and to them were born three children -two sons and one daughter. Mr. Gahagan is a Republican in politics, and as such was elected to the office of trustee. He served as a member of the board of mayor and aldermen several terms. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the K. T., of the G. A. R and of the Methodist Episcopal Church North.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

 Gann, Caloway William 

           Caloway William Gann was born on September 26, 1854 to Wesley and Eliza Gann of Soddy , Tennessee . Nothing is known of his younger years. His grandfather Thomas Gann, Jr., was one of the earliest settlers in Hamilton County , TN. His great-grandfather, Thomas Gann, helped settle northeastern Tennessee , fought in the War of 1812, and the Indians on the Coosa River prior to the “Trail of Tears”. Young Caloway’s siblings were James, John, George, Nancy, and Laura Gann.

 At the age of 23, he married Annie Elizabeth Smith, of the same area, in Hamilton County , Tennessee on September 6, 1877 (Hamilton County Marriage Records 1877 Book 3, page 86). They lived in the Sale Creek area and raised a large family.  To them, was born: Mattie=1878, Margaret (Maggie)=1880, William(Will)= 1883, John=1888, Anna (Annie)=1893, Cordelia =1891, Richard=1896, Charles=1898, and Samuel (Eddie)=1902.

 The Civil War had only ended in 1865; the South was in the midst of Reconstruction and times were difficult. Caloway was a carpenter by trade; not only did he make sign boards and sheeting planks, but in order to provide for his family he shod horses and mules, hauled for people, did hoeing, pulled weeds, sawed boards, gathered corn, pulled fodder, and sold melons. He also contracted to hew railroad ties for the railroad-which was being built from Cincinnati to Chattanooga and opened in 1879. He was one of two carpenters who volunteered their labor to build the first Sale Creek Methodist Church (corner of Gothard Lane and Highway 27).

 Caloway was also a Hamilton County Road Overseer. He maintained records of all North Hamilton County residents and apparently he had schooling for he wrote fairly well and kept accurate records.  It was the law that the men either worked on the roads or pay $3.00 per year for Road Tax. Being prominent did not excuse the men from their duties. Ancestors of many families who still reside here are in the Welsh & Rogers Cemetery . Just a few were: Gray, Rogers, Reavley, Stormer, Bolton, Gill, Newman, May, Iles, Carroll (ours), Griffiths, Jones, Coulters, Davis, McGill, McDonald, Fleming, Shipley, Parks (ours), and Patterson are just a few. This area was settled by Scots, Irish, and Welsh who were used to hard work; each hoped for an easier and better life.

 I have a record book, dated 1878-79 which he kept and it reveals much about him. He kept records of everything he purchased, where he worked, how much he paid out, how much he was paid, and what he was paid with. I was impressed with his honesty for, when working as a hireling, he recorded how many times he had to stop and warm his hands and the duration of each.

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 Eliza was also a contributor to the finances. W.D. Hindiron signed a promissory note on September 8, 1878 as follows: “One day after (?), I promise to pay Eliza Gann, Ten Dollars four (sic) value rendered of her in the year 1878 and promise to pay her in the year 1879,  signed W.D. Hindron.” He paid on January 30, 1880 -but at least he paid.

 Caloway was a registered voter and had a keen interest in politics. In the 1878 Hamilton County Election, he favored neither the Democrat nor Republican Party race in the 3rd District. He voted for McRee as County Judge , Clark and Vinson for County Court Clerk, Gahagen for Trustee, Springfield for Sheriff and Milburn for Attorney General.  Apparently, he had an open mind and voted for whomever he felt was the best man for the job. He wrote down the names of the candidates in his book to insure he knew who he was voting for. A wise one he was.

 Apparently G-Grandpa smoked a pipe since he purchased smoking tobacco and records reflect that he purchased snuff, probably for G-Grandma. I doubt that tobacco stunted their growth but Caloway and Eliza were short in stature. The only known photograph of him was taken at the railroad crossing in Sale Creek , TN around 1880. (The first train had only come through there one year earlier). He wore a flat-brim hat, a vest, and sported a mustache. Two pictures of Eliza show her to be of average height.

 His bookkeeping revealed he sold a hog for $2.00. He purchased a pistole (sic) for $2.00 and a holster for .75 cents. Shoes were $1.90 a pair- a brass kettle cost .75 cents-a plow=$10.00-coffee was .50-an ax was $1.25, and a spool of thread was .10 cents. His smoking tobacco was .10 and Eliza’s snuff was only .05. Apparently he had a little extra once for he purchased a tie and tie-tacks for a total of .40 cents. Oh yes, mule feed was .40 cents a bag.

 In 1898, Caloway moved his family to a parcel of land on Bakewell/Sale Creek Mountain.  He cleared the “Gann Field” and built a house near a natural spring later known as the “Gann Spring”. Of course he had a lot for his mules. Craftsmen required sharp tools. He mounted a grinding wheel onto a pine tree with large nails; the nails were still there is 1982.  He constructed honey bee “gums” (hives) for harvesting the honey which was used extensively in cooking. In addition, he was often paid in molasses or corn for work he performed.  That was life back then.

 In March 1902, Caloway purchased, from the Sale Creek Coal and Coke Company, a team wagon, with rear brake, 2 single trees, and a lock chain.  The cost was $56.20 and was to be paid within seven months at 6% interest. He paid it and I have the note in my possession. The term, “team’, refers to a pair of mules, since he bought mule feed.

 Apparently, he put the new wagon to good use for he purchased a parcel of land from Lincoln Rogers who received it as part of a land grant for military service. The red clay land lay east of a large hill, facing the railroad, and south of the Welsh-Rogers Cemetery . The able-bodied carpenter built a log cabin and moved the family from the mountain to the new home. He then built a three-room house nearby and that became the “GANN” homestead. The children were reared there until they left home. As of 2004, it was still standing and occupied.

 Caloway worked until his death at the age of 51on January 7, 1906 .  He is buried in the Rogers Cemetery beside daughter, Cordelia, and his wife, Eliza, who lived another 18 years. His grave is only about 300 yards from his home. He was apparently an honest man with integrity. His work ethic remains consistent with the name Gann. He played a major role in our county and town and his role in life would be obscured if not for the discovery of a small record book which lay around for over 112 years. I’m privileged to have found it and use it as the basis of this vignette which is a tribute to the life and times of my great-grandparents, Caloway William and Eliza (Smith )Gann.

Note:

 Charles Roscoe Gann was not yet 8 years old when his father died. After the death of his mother in 1924, Charlie acquired the homestead.  It remained in his hands until a 1991. 

Compiled and Submitted by Rexford C. Alexander
rexcalex@bellsouth.net

 Gann, Charles Roscoe & Gertrude Rosetta (Gentry

           This account is not intended to slander the name or memory of him; it is based on facts. The vignette is a culmination of conversations by the children and relatives who witnessed, first hand, his true character and reveals a side of him most people never knew! I always try to draw a picture of my subject in my writings and this was difficult. I will be unpopular but “truth” is eternal and unchanging; and, yes, the truth does hurt!”

 Charles was the eighth of nine children born to Calloway and Eliza Ann (Smith) Gann. He was born in the old homestead, the Gann Field, atop a mountain plateau near Sale Creek , Tennessee . He was the descendant of a Revolutionary War veteran and Indian fighter. The story of Caloway and his family is contained in a separate sketch. Charlie had at least as sixth grade education attested by a certificate. A new school was constructed in Sale Creek and Charles was in the first class of 1908

 Charlie, as he was known, was a crop farmer, mechanic, chicken farmer, school caretaker, and a true woodsman. He had rather hunt squirrels, rabbits, turkey, deer, or bee trees than anything. He also did some fishing and, at one time, liked to foxhunt. Although in later years he expounded against the ills of alcohol; strange-coming from someone who used to fire up an old still and run off some "mountain dew" I managed to acquire one of his 5 gallon demi-jugs.

 In the 1920's he worked for automobile dealers in Chattanooga , Tennessee . He loved to drive the vintage Oldsmobile’s and Buicks. I have a picture of him, with his hat tilted back, driving down McCallie Avenue . He even moved his young family to Flint , Michigan where he worked in the automotive industry but soon returned. In the 1940's he owned his own garage in Sale Creek. He was more of a “shade tree mechanic”.  He maintained his own trucks and tractors by extensive use of wire- any type of wire. Everything he had was “wired” together, farm tools, gates to posts, axles, scythe, axe, hoes-everything. He would have loved duct tape.

 On August 31, 1919 he married a lovely young damsel, Gertrude Rosetta Gentry. They had 7 children. There was Anna Roselyn, Viola Marie, Charles William, Harold Lewis, Paul Thomas (who died when he was almost four), Jack Roscoe, and Joyce Elizabeth. Life was not easy for Gertie and the four oldest children. Photographs reveal a pretty girl who aged rapidly. Staying pregnant most of the time destroyed her health. But most of all, she was the focal point of an abusive tyrant! When you look at the faces of Gertie and the oldest children, you do not see happiness, you see oppression!

 The Great Depression was in full swing and times were hard. She had one child after another and she aged rapidly in less than 16 years of marriage. Charlie’s treatment of her resulted in no less than 3 abortions. Gertie’s sister was a nurse and supposedly knew how to initialize an abortion-home style. Once a set of twins was aborted in late pregnancy and he buried them in the red clay behind the wash house. The last abortion, performed at Charlie’s insistence, was botched. Infection set in and on January 16, 1935 , the 32 year old mother of six, passed away. Her funeral was held 2 PM, Friday, Jan 18, 1935 at the Sale Creek Presbyterian Church and she was laid to rest in the Welsh Cemetery. The man, who had brutalized her, spent nights lying on her red clay grave wailing and crying.

 Note: In the 1980’s two of Gertrude’s sisters and a daughter taped a discussion concerning his treatment of Gertie and the abortions. I have the audio tape and it is a candid account of a callous, cruel man. Charlie’s niece, Isobel Troutman, told me she could identify the exact location of the graves of the twins. Many people knew the facts but said nothing.

 Her children were devastated! Roselyn was only 14, Viola 13, Charles 11, Harold 10, Jack was almost 7, and Joyce was only 9 months old. Life for the four oldest children, while caring for the two youngest, became a living hell! Orders were given as to what they must accomplish each day and it had better be done! They scrubbed floors even on Sunday. Boys and girls alike, cleared new ground. The children worked the fields, milked, scrubbed, cooked, washed clothes, ironed, did homework, and anything else Charlie had for them to do. He often had them repeat a task even if it did not need it. They had to satisfy his every whim!

 If Charlie came up the road whistling, that was a sign things might be okay. If not, look out, someone (or everyone) was going to get a thrashing. When he cut a "switch", it was not a small one-it was a long, durable one with the leaves stripped off to inflict more whelps. He did not just cut one, he cut several. He would use one until it broke or wore out and he would grab another and continue. It was applied to any part of the body. He brought blood! On one occasion, he used a chain to whip Charles. He had the idea that if he beat his children into submission, people would say, "Charlie Gann has good kids"! His brother’s wife, Bertha Gann, heard the beating with a chain, came over and threatened to have Charlie jailed if he did not stop the violence. The violence did not stop! Jack and Joyce were never on the receiving end of this particular type of violence.

 In 1937, he married Mildred Frances Standifer, a divorcee. There was family speculation that he knew her prior to Gertie’s death. She did manage to make Charlie change his abusive habits to a point. Bitterness developed between Mildred and Roselyn primarily because Mildred wanted to be addressed as 'Mama" or “Mother”. Roselyn held her ground and refused because her mother was Gertie and was dead. She married and left home soon after Charlie's remarriage and the other older three as soon as possible. They carried scarred memories with them that never healed. Strife between Charlie, Mildred, and the children still managed to rear its ugly head even until their deaths

 It is surprising that any of the children even returned home. Three of them lived here; Viola, Harold, and Charles lived out of state. On occasions, Harold and Charles would visit with their families. They were rough characters and Charlie always had some “preaching” for them. Harold resented it because he knew the real Charlie Gann. Several instances sealed Harold’s ill feelings toward his dad. One of Harold’s children died and he was financially stricken. He called Charlie requesting a loan to bury his child. The request was denied and the division between them widened. Still, Harold wanted his children to know something good about the family. Harold brought his son, Allen, down for a visit. He had told Allen about the fishing holes in the creek where Charlie had taken him. Apparently this was one bright spot in their relationship. Harold told his Dad, “Allen would like to go up and fish in the creek”! Charlie responded, “Well, you know where it is”! Harold and Allen left town.

 In January 1979, 1 went to Cincinnati and found Harold. We sat in the New Center I and had a few drinks. The subject of Granddaddy came up. Harold at first said, “He was a hard taskmaster”! With a few more Stroh’s beers under his belt, he declared, “Charlie Gann was a hard Son of a Bitch’! The true feeling had come out and well-said! Harold said he might consider coming home as long as his dad “did not preach to him” and those are the exact words I relayed to my Grandparents. Harold did not come home for the funeral of either of them. He did come home a few years before he died.

 Charlie was active in the Lion's Club, a reputable organization in the Sale Creek area.  He was also an active Freemason, and attained the highest office in a Sale Creek Lodge 280 F&AM, that of Master, which is a badge of distinction.  He and Mildred were members of the Sale Creek Order of the Eastern Star. The Masonic fraternity promotes the belief in God, high moral values and all that is good.  Did Sale Creek really know the man? Some of them did. How can a man be a good Master Mason, Eastern Star member, and Methodist Christian, and yet have been so cruel to his wife and their children? The answer, they did not know him well enough. Good ole Brother Charlie and Sister Mildred were just wonderful people!

 How did he justify being a member of fine organizations yet travel at night and administer punishment to “sorry” residents while he was hidden underneath his Ku Klux Klan cape and robe? Charlie was a member of the local Ku Klux Klan, known for burning crosses as scare tactic’s or as warning’s and using a blacksnake whip on citizen’s who abused their family. The caped “Regulator’s” meted out punishment for any violation of accepted behavior as they saw fit. In the 1940’s and ‘50’s, it was common to see an evening or nightly procession of vehicle’s with license plates covered and hooded figure’s going to a “meeting”. He and nephew, Arnold Troutman, kept their robes and hood’s at the Troutman home. The entire Troutman family and Charlie’s wife, Mildred, knew of it. If someone visited and Charlie wasn’t there, she would always say, “Charlie had gone to a “meeting”. I wonder which one, Church, Masonic, or KKK! He should have been on the receiving end of the whip lash!!

 I never felt any warmth in that home. I don’t know why.  I saw love and attention showered upon the relatives of Mildred but not Charlie’s-well, some of them. I can candidly state, “The home of Charles and Mildred Gann was the coldest atmosphere I have ever been in”! I never felt comfortable, relaxed, or enjoyable in my visits except when Jack was there. I made myself go because he was my grandfather and because of my mother.

 I remember going over there one winter. Granddaddy had a long handled popcorn which he held over the fireplace flames and shook it slowly as it popped. They would then, sparingly, salt it and we ate good, old-fashioned scorched popcorn. Back then, that’s the only way you could get it. At age 10, being inquisitive and not knowing a lot about popcorn, I asked, “Where do you get popcorn”? That brought a hearty “Haw! Haw! Haw! Honey (he called everybody Honey), you grow it. Haw! Haw! Haw!”! I asked him very few questions after that.

 Christmas was always a fun time (sic)-I always knew what I would get. We would go down to the Methodist Church, listen to the singing of carols, then watch Oliver Standifer (I mean Santa) hand out our presents. Of course the presents were from our grandparents but we were supposed to be dumb enough not to know that. I could hardly wait to get my 25 cent mechanical pencil (Yawn) mainly to see what color it would be that year.

 My brother, Ed, and I had to spend a summer week with them once. While there, I climbed up a “sarvis” (serviceberry) tree to get some berries. A medium size limb broke off and Granddaddy made me eat every last “sarvis” on the limb. There must have been a lesson in there somewhere. We were not bad kid, especially there, but it was like jail! Grandma made us go to bed immediately after supper ( 6 PM ) and we were warned “not to say one word”. She was always cold towards Ed and me. We had to tiptoe around her and felt like we were being watched. She made us very uncomfortable. When Carol and I told them we were marrying in 1970, she remarked to someone, “Well, I hope he told her he was divorced!” That’s pretty good for someone who had been married to a man who committed murder-and knew the details.

 The Gann’s lived a modest life; one that could not be easily understood today. For many years, they had a cistern near the house. If you have never tasted cistern water-don’t! It is water which runs off from the house into a cavern, usually lined with concrete and drawn up by a bucket. The water bucket with a dipper was always beside the back door of the home. Near it were the lye soap, pan, and comb for “washing up” when he came in. The hand pump replaced the water bucket, and it was replaced with indoor plumbing in the late 50’s. An outhouse was essential, even after a well was drilled and plumbing was installed. It was down near the corn crib. In the 1920’s, they had a Delco lighting system. A gas generator charged acid batteries in glass jars. The charged system then lit incandescent bulbs. Many years later commercial electricity was installed but they never got used to anything over 40-60 watt bulbs. They also had a gas refrigerator. Say what? One thing I can say is their house was clean until they were unable to keep it so. 

 Charlie was aware of modem conveniences but often utilized them in some unusual ways. He had read about smoke alarms. Since his heat came from a big wood burning stove and his home was a wood frame structure he knew he should have early detection in case of fire. He installed his “fire alarm” on a ledge near where the stove pipe of his stove entered the chimney. It was a live 12 gauge shotgun shell! He figured if it ever went off they should evacuate the building. Well, at least there was no battery to replace every 6 months.

 Charlie Gann believed in recycling. He wore brogans (high top shoes). My dad threw away old WWII combat boots that had two buckles above the foot part. Charlie cut off the buckle part and riveted them on to his brogans thereby making brogan boots. It worked for him! When store-bought flyswats (sic) broke, he just flattened out some old screen wire around the handle part. He sent many a fly to the (un)happy hunting grounds. He spent many, many hours sitting out in his glider (you know what a glider is- or do you?), reading his Bible, dozing, and swatting flies. You could always recognize him; he was the one with the sweat-stained felt hat with a hole in the point of the crown. I never knew if the hole was cut out for ventilation, if something chewed it out, he just wore it out. But that was him. He was never far from his favorite hat, even when he died.

 Charlie’s farm was a natural habitat for junk. The house had been built in the early 1900’s and an addition had been added. I don’t know when the metal roof was put on (before I was born) and it had never been replaced. Each year or so another coat of tar was applied. It must have been 2 inches thick but it didn’t leak. Nothing was ever thrown away. “Now, Honey, we might need that some day” was Charlie’s reasoning-and he was right. In the 1990’s there were still old magnetos from cars of the 20’s. Old worn-out farm machinery had rusted in place. His hammer handle would break and rather than buy a new one, just rasp the old one off and drive nails in the end to hold the head on. His post-hole diggers had a wooden handle on one side and a piece of water pipe in the other. His 1950 vintage Ford tractor had wire (any kind) holding it together.

 Charlie was short of stature but strong as an ox. Hard work had honed his muscles to steel even when he was in his 60’s. He loved to go bee hunting, He and whoever was with him would go to the mountains, use a mixture of honey and water, scatter it in the wind with a small limb or blow it out through the mouth. They would then wait for the bees to come in to feed, follow the path of the bees, find the tree, and cut it down. Often the tree was 36 inches in diameter and usually an oak. Sharp axes, matches, rich pine, and rags were necessities. They split the tree exposing the honey, fought the bees with smoke, removed the honey comb, and carried it back to the truck.  Lugging one or two 5 gallon buckets full of honey is back-breaking work-for anyone. Adding rough, steep terrain and often a mile back to the truck often made them wonder if wild honey was worth it.  But Charlie did it. Whether carrying, lifting, or walking, Charlie was always in front. It was always felt that a show of strength was his way of making up for his short stature.

 He apparently inherited the true pioneer spirit from his Gann ancestors for he was as pure a woodsman as I ever knew. He prided himself in his hunting abilities, but there was one time he was speechless. Once I was 14 years of age and could carry a gun, we went squirrel hunting out at the Gann Field. He carried a double barrel 12 gauge shotgun and had shot at a squirrel but had forgotten to put the safety on. We met later and he was pointing to the ground near my foot to show me where the old “Gann Spring” used to be. The gun fired almost shooting me in the foot. It unnerved him and he never got over that. But it wasn’t all bad though. Water started bubbling up out of the ground. He was right on target.

 As I stated, he was strong! A young man, Paul Lawson, was a potential suitor of Viola. Charlie objected to that. One fine day, his meddling brother, Richard, drove over to tell Charlie that Paul was with Viola, Roselyn, and Mark. As the young people walked along the red clay road approaching the Gann house, Charlie came over the little hill. He beat Paul with his fists then, to add insult to injury; he threw Paul into a briar patch. Yeah, Bre’r Charlie dun flung Bre’r Paul in de briar patch. It hurts to even think about it.

Charlie’s older brother, Richard, always found ways to put Charlie down. He had recently made a disparaging remark concerning Mildred; Charlie wasn’t feeling particularly brotherly. The next Sunday, they both sat in the Methodist Church Sunday School Class. The teacher was discussing the lesson and asked Brother Charlie what he thought about a subject. Charlie always had a philosophical thought about everything and he proceeded to expound in his slow, deliberate manner. Richard looked over and said, “Charlie, why don’t you just shut up”! With that, Charlie’s fist of steel met with Richard’s hard head. POW! Right on target! Brother Charlie decked Brother Richard! Charlie’s son, Jack, and Richard’s son, Corky, looked at each other as if to say, “Shall you and I continue this fight outside”? Nah!! Now, who said Methodist church service’s were boring?

 He considered himself a carpenter but he was more like a “cobbler”. He “cobbled” things up rather than fix them properly. Dad hired him, by the hour, to repair fences and a horse barn. He spent more time exploring all of the buildings than working. There could be a keg of good nails there and he insisted on straightening old rusty ones and trying to drive them. He tried to build horse stalls using 2 inch nails to secure a 2-x4 in place. If someone else was hired to lead a larger project, Charlie would hold a “meeting” to see where a nail should go. When he and Mark were working together in a big barn while the summer heat was sweltering, Mark turned on a big fan for relief. Naturally, Charlie had his “Haw, Haw, Haw!” Implying Mark was not tough enough. Just a few minutes later you could get him out from in front of that fan.

 Charlie owned several vehicles; He preferred pickup trucks. Being a shade tree mechanic, he performed his own repairs. One particular truck was an early 1960 truck which he never drove over 35 miles an hour. He and Mildred had been involved in 3 accidents and he wasn’t about to have another one. Traffic would back up for 5 miles behind him but he did not care. He would not exceed 35 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. Once his son, Jack, drove the truck and he was determined to blow the carbon out of it. He told my dad, “I put the accelerator to the floor! 35 miles per hour was all it will do”! They had a big laugh about it. Oh yes, I mentioned he never threw anything away. Well, after he died, we went over to get some things. I was out in the garage dodging spider webs, etc and planted my right boot down in a cut-off bucket full of old, black 30 weight motor oil-right where he left it. At least my right boot was waterproof for a while.

 Although they appeared as folks who just "got by", they had amassed in excess of $125,000.00. Yet, they readily accepted and apparently appreciated groceries purchased for them. Their secrecy of financial holdings was a surprise to the some of the family. They were not really knowledgeable of legalities concerning Bonds, Probate, Wills, etc, Money was found in cans in the house and it would surprise no one to find money buried around the home today. Roselyn vividly recalled another instance concerning money at the Gann’s. Soon after Gertie died, her mother, Rosa , had a dream that Gertie had hidden some money in the floor of their bedroom. She came to the house, removed one or two boards from the floor, and sure enough- there it was.

 No matter what he was, he was well-read. He kept up on current events and history. He was knowledgeable about a lot of subjects. When we went overseas, he inquired about the soil, people, and food there. He was never in the military. He was inducted and discharged the same day. He never really quite caught on to the military services. I spent 23 years in the Air Force, and he always asked me, "Honey, how are things in the Army"? How the heck would I know? But I told him everything was fine.

 After Mildred died in 1990, his health deteriorated. Eventually, he went to live in a Rest Home. After some months, he returned home on weekends. The family wasn’t too happy with my interference. I assumed the responsibility to go get him and take him back. The family made sure he had comfortable living conditions and food. I made sure the water heater was on and he had plenty of fire wood. He was so happy. He enjoyed the freedom and visits of friends and family. Finally, in the spring of 1991, he made the decision to come back to his home of over 80 years.

 In July of that year, he passed away in the place that brought him peace-his home. He was found outside reclining against a pile of wood he had been splitting for the upcoming winter. His thinning, white hair lay across his head and his old battered felt hat (with the hole in the crown) rested behind him. His shoes, with loose laces, were relaxed and pointed outward. His ax lay on the chopping block. He lay quietly as the sweet smell of summer flowers wafted in the breeze. Birds sang and bees buzzed through the air. He had crossed over into the afterlife and he will be judged by his Creator who decides where he will spend eternity-heaven or hell.

 Charles Roscoe Gann would have been 93 on his next birthday. He had lived through an era of invention. He witnessed the advent of automobiles, airplanes, telephones, computers, and space exploration. He saw muddy roads turn into major highways. He traveled to numerous states in his life and lived during the terms of 17 presidents. His life spanned over 11 decades from the 1890's into the 1990's. That, in itself, is extraordinary. Whatever he was, he is still a major part of our Gann heritage. He was loved by those who knew him and disliked, loathed, or tolerated by those who knew what he was. May God have mercy on his soul!

August 1999

Gann, Gertrude Rosetta Gentry 

    Gertie, as she was known, was born July 27, 1902 to William Newton and Rosa Caroline (Green) Gentry. She was the first of nine children. It is unknown exactly where she was born, but the last Gentry homestead was on Back Valley Road in Hodgetown, which was part of Sale Creek , Tennessee .

 Her siblings were: Lola Virginia. (1904) who married Jack Hogue, John N. (1906) who married Sarah Adkins, Ruth ((1908) who died at age 2, Thomas Franklin (1911) married Lois ?, Anna Mae (1913), Emma Jane (1917) who lived only 17 days, Edna Hazel (1919) who married Jack Geer, and Jessie Green (1921).

 Gertie married Charles Roscoe Gann on August 31, 1919 . They lived in Chattanooga , Tennessee , Michigan , and finally resided in the Caloway Gann home place in Sale Creek. She helped care for Charlie's mother, Anna Eliza (Smith) Gann, until her death in 1924. By that time she had given birth to four children: Anna Roselyn (1920), Viola Marie (192 1), Charles William (1923), and Harold Lewis (1924). She later bore Paul Thomas (1926), Jack Roscoe (1928), and Joyce Elizabeth (1934).

 She endured hard times during the "Great Depression" and was subjected to severe spousal abuse by Charlie. They lost four year old Paul on March 17, 1930 due to an undetermined illness. Even through this she was a loving mother and left a lasting, positive impression on her children.

 Hard work was demanded by all in the household. Farming, clearing land, keeping house, cooking, and all chores had to meet Charlie's expectations. Roselyn remembers times when Gertie and the children went over to the Gentry's, peeled apples all afternoon, then cooked apple butter the next day in a large brass kettle. The children kept the fire at just the right temperature. It should be noted that Roselyn and Viola were about the same age as Edna and Jessie.

 A surviving church song book with her signature revealed that she read music and played the organ and perhaps the piano. The old organ remained at the Gann home until the death of Charlie. Apparently she sang and perhaps this inspired her oldest son, Charles W., to join in the Sale Creek High School group which assembled with other schools to form an 800 voice concert at Memorial Auditorium in 1939/40

 A Sixth Grade Graduation Certificate attests that she went that far in school. No other records are available but at that point in time, education of girls was not a high priority. She was active in the Sale Creek School PTA. A 1933 (34) Parent Teacher Association (PTA) photograph was taken in front of the Sale Creek School . It clearly shows Gertie, her mother Rosa, as well as Logan and Mae Alexander in attendance.

 A chronological review of her pictures reveals that being pregnant so often, abortions, hard times, abuse, and other factors brought an early end to the life of a once-beautiful young lady. Having aged rapidly and suffering from infection from a botched abortion, Gertie died January 16, 1935 at 32 years of age. Her children were devastated! Roselyn was only 14, Viola 13, Charles 11, Harold 10, Jack was almost 7, and Joyce was only 9 months old. Her funeral was held 2 PM, Friday, Jan 18, 1935 at the Sale Creek Presbyterian Church and she was laid to rest in the Welsh Cemetery. The family would never be the same.

Compiled and Submitted by Rexford C. Alexander
rexcalex@bellsouth.net

Gentry, John Wesley & Ellen Jane Capps

            John Wesley Gentry was born in South Carolina in the year 1838 to John Gentry and Emma Gentry, of Spartanburg , South Carolina . His father was probably second generation Irish-American. The 1779 Colony of South Carolina listed only two,  “John Gentry’s”.  In 1820, there was a total of nine named John Gentry.)

 John Wesley migrated to Georgia ; it is unknown whether it was with or without his family. At the age of 23 years of age (1861), the Civil War began and he enlisted in the 8th Georgia Infantry, Company A, CSA.  The unit was based in Rome , Georgia .

 After the war, he met and married a young lady, Ellen Jane Capps (1841-1917). They were wed March 1867. Ellen was the daughter of Frank M. and Emma Capps. 

Emma was a full-blood Cherokee from the North Carolina reservation, thereby, making Ellen one-half Cherokee. Ellen was born only 3 years after the “Trail of Tear”. The 1900 Hamilton County , TN census indicates her birthplace was Alabama ; Father Frank was born in NC and Mother Emma in TN. Being an Indian or part-Indian was not the sort of information they boasted of during those days. Mother Emma is not buried in this area but Frank lived and died here after John Wesley and Ellen settled in the Bakewell/Sale Creek, Tennessee area. .

 John Wesley and Ellen had six children: (1)  John M. was a soldier in the Spanish-American War 2. Charlie (1872) married Nancy Gothard ,(3) James Francis (1876) (4)  Laura, who married ___ Stewart, (5) Florence married William (Will) Jones, (6) and William Newton, who married Rosa Caroline Green.

 John Wesley died February 14, 1919 at the age of 81.  He is buried near his wife and son, Charlie, in the Welsh Cemetery , Sale Creek, Tennessee .  His grave is marked with a C.S.A. stone, denoting his Confederate service.  Although little is know about him, we are proud of the heritage he gave us.

Note: Information based on family history, Bible entries, census data, and personal research.

Compiled and Submitted by Rexford C. Alexander
rexcalex@bellsouth.net.

Gentry, William Newton & Rosa Caroline Green

          “Newt" Gentry was born in Meigs County , Tennessee on April 10, 1870 . His parents were John Wesley (British/Irish) and Ellen Jane Capps Gentry (Irish/Cherokee Indian). He was one of six children. His brothers were John, James, and Charlie. His sisters were Laura and Florence .

 On September 19, 1900 Newt married an Irish lass named Rosa Caroline Green, daughter of Rev. John Franklin and Polly Milburn (Young) Green. They were married in Bakewell , Tennessee but later moved to Sale Creek. They had nine children: Gertrude Rosetta (1902-1935) who married Charles Roscoe Gann, Lola Virginia. (1904- ) who married Herbert Harold Hogue, John N. (1906-1976) who married Sarah Bell Adkins, Ruth Aster (1908-1910), Thomas Franklin (1911-1973) married Lois Anglin Middlebrook, Anna Mae (1913-1936), Emma  Jane (1917-1917), Edna Hazel (1919­who married Jack Geer, and Jessie Green (1921-1944) who had married Glenn Martin.

 Newt was a craftsman of wood. He built wooden caskets from fine poplar as did his brother-in-law, Will Jones. Years ago, funerals and viewing of the deceased was in the deceased's home. A couple of caskets were always kept ready for use. After the caskets were hand-planed and finished, the ladies, Mammy (Rosa) Gentry and Florence (Gentry) Jones, would line them with cotton batting and covered it with linen cloth.. After the viewing, the lids would be screwed on. The body would then be transported to the cemetery by wagon (later by truck) and placed in a hand-dug grave. The grave was then filled by men with shovels. Papa was known for his fine workmanship. When resting, he just sat down and leaned against a tree-and whittled.  He enjoyed whittling cedar and made rolling pins for his daughters or granddaughters. He had also made a play house for the kids.

 His occupation for many years was to "fire" the boiler for steam driven sawmills and lumber planers. He worked for Pat Hoffman, a local lumber mill owner. He was an expert at the job and even built a cabin in the mountains, insulated it with sawdust, and stayed for days at a time. When the crew arrived for work early in the morning, Newt would have the boiler at a "full head of steam ready for sawing.

 Papa had one problem; he liked to imbibe in the “spirits. I understand he contributed to the success of a local man who had no visible means of support-except moonshine. When he got paid he dropped by the “shine” dealer, and proceeded to get to the bottom of the jar. Then he took a nice long nap.  He kept a bottle of “cold” medicine handy and often felt too many cold symptoms coming on while firing the boiler. He became a safety liability, so he was fired for his own protection. He was fired as many times as he was hired. The next morning, planer operations could not commence since no one could fire a boiler like Newt. Pat would travel over to their house and ask Newt to come back and "fire the boiler". He did.

 Now, before you start getting too self-righteous, consider the facts. First of all, Newt was of Irish and Cherokee Indian extraction. The Irish are known for tipping the bottle. Papa did not want to give the Irish a bad name so he carried on in traditional Irish fashion. Indians were notoriously poor drinkers. They are known for not being able to “hold their liquor (Fire Water). So, poor Papa just couldn’t win-but he did his best to uphold the positive attributes of both ethnic groups.

 His drinking caused Rosa many hours of heartache but she never complained. She would put him to bed and let him sleep it off. She was a very patient lady. She sat in the dimly lit bedroom sewing while he slept. One of his daughters, Anna Mae, was not as tolerant as Rosa . Once she threw a hot sweet potato at him and hit him in the head. Poor Papa!

 Newt was not a bad man by any stretch of the imagination. Newt was an active Freemason and was Past Master of Sale Creek Lodge #280, F&AM. His picture hangs on the wall of the Lodge today. He had a good head on his shoulders.

 Newt was a short man and nice looking in earlier days. He, like many others, wore a felt hat and he had a mustache. He liked dogs. They had a little bulldog named "Ming". I faintly remember Papa; I was only 11 years old when he passed away on November 27, 1949 . The viewing and funeral was at their home. Rev. Roscoe Scott preached his funeral. He was laid to rest in the Welsh Cemetery in Sale Creek near MING! That's right, Ming is buried right there in their plot along with the rest of the family.

 This vignette is not meant to cast any shadows on his character; rather, it just paints a picture of the real man. Papa was an important part of my family tree and I’m proud of him.

August 20, 1999

PS. In 2002,  I visited the cemetery plot in 2002 and found that someone had removed the homemade marker for MING

Compiled and Submitted by Rexford C. Alexander
rexcalex@bellsouth.net.

Giles, David 

           David Giles, president of the Chattanooga Foundry and Pipe Works, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., February 27,1836, son of Thomas and Mary (Evans) Giles, natives of Wales. David Giles was reared to manhood in his native State and in Ohio. He learned the iron business in Pennsylvania, being a practical molder by trade. In 1857 he came South and accepted a position as foreman of a foundry at Nashville, where he continued until 1866, when he established a foundry in that city and conducted it successfully for one year, when Mr. C. B. Isbester became a partner, and these gentlemen, in 1877, moved the foundry to Chattanooga. Mr. Giles has been president of the present stock company since its organization as a stock company in July, 1882. He is a Republican in politics, a Knight of Honor, and is recognized as a reliable and enterprising business man and citizen.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

 Giles, David founder of what would become U.S. Pipe

          David Giles was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Welsh parents. In 1836 Giles accepted a position as foreman in a large foundry in Nashville, Tennessee where he stayed until the end of the Civil War. During the war the foundry began making shells for the Confederate Army. After the war Giles struck a partnership with C.B. Isbester and the two started their own company. Giles was married three times with each wife dying early. His first wife was Mary Ann McPhail who was the mother of his only daughter. Margaret Gillespie became wife number two and mother to Giles’ only son. Giles married a third time to Tennessee Thornton who passed away in 1876.

    In 1877 Giles moved to Chattanooga and decided that Chattanooga offered better manufacturing opportunities and shipping. In 1882 Giles formed a stock company under the name of Chattanooga Foundry and Pipe Works and became president. Giles remained the company president until it merged with U.S. Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry Company. With the merger David Giles became director and resident manager where he remained until his death. 

   Giles was not only a successful businessman but, also served on the board of directors for several Chattanooga banks and other industries. He was a member of the Hamilton County Court from 1900 to 1906 serving Lookout Mountain. In 1906 Giles built a beautiful home on Lookout Mountain which was considered one of the most attractive residences in the area. David Giles passed away on July 23, 1910 and was buried in Forest Hills Cemetery. After his death, his son J. Thomas Giles became resident manager and proved to be a worthy successor to his father. U.S. Pipe closed down the Chattanooga operations in 2003.

Jeffrey C. Webb mysaintelmo.com

Green, William T.

           Green & Walker, hardware merchants of Chattanooga, established their business August 1, 1886, at their present quarters, 828 Market Street. They carry a large and well selected stock of general hardware and mechanic's tools, and control a large share of the trade in city and county. The individual members are William T. Green, and  Frank M. Walker. Mr. Green was born in Knox County, Tenn., in 1849, and is a son of the late Augustus P. Green of this city, who died in this county in 1878. William Green was reared and educated in Hamilton County. In 1874 he engaged in mercantile pursuits near Memphis, Tenn.; in 1880 returned to Chattanooga, and for four years has been engaged in the hardware business. He has been quite successful in this occupation. He is a Democrat, a Mason, and is one of Chattanooga's reliable businessmen. Frank M. Walker (other member of the firm), was born in Rogersville, Hawkins Co., Tenn., April 3, 1863, and is the son of the late Gen. Frank M. Walker who was killed during the late war. Frank R. Walker, Jr., was educated in Rogersville, and in 1880 came to Chattanooga, where he learned the hardware business with J. R. Warner & Co. In 1886 he engaged in his present business with Mr. Green. June 2,1886, he married Miss Maggie Whitman, of Georgia. Mr. Walker is a Democrat in politics, and is a wide-awake thorough-going business man.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

 Griffiths, D. R.
          D. R. Griffiths, merchant and farmer at Sale Creek, was born in South Wales, November 20, 1834, and came to America in 1864. He first settled in Steubenville, Ohio, but in a short time removed to Shamokin, Penn., and from there to Hubbard, Ohio, in October of the same year. In March, 1868, he came to Sale Creek, where he has since resided. Previous to this, in 1866, he, with nineteen others, then living in Ohio, organized a company to come to East Tennessee and lease some coal mines. They opened up the mines in the same year, and continued very successfully, considering the poor market they had, until 1880, when the company sold out to the present owners. Mr. Griffiths began working in the mines at the early age of seven, and continued this up to 1880. He then opened a store at Sale Creek, and has engaged in this business, in connection with farming, up to the present. He also deals very extensively in tan-bark; and in 1883 they handled $16,000 worth of the same, averaging per year about $5,000. What education Mr. Griffiths has was picked up by the family fireside. He began working for himself at the age of seventeen, and has accumulated considerable property by his own exertions. In 1854 he married Miss Ruth Richards, who was born in January, 1836, and who is the daughter of William and Margaret Richards, of Aberdare, South Wales. To our subject and wife ten children were born, of whom four boys and two girls are now living: William, David, Thomas, Richard, Annie (Mrs. Reese), and Ruth (Mrs. Thompson). Mr. Griffiths is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Union Church at Sale Creek, although reared Baptists.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

Guild, Joe Conn
         J. C. Guild, inspector of mines for Tennessee, and a member of the firm of Dickerson & Guild, civil and mining engineers and analytical chemists, is a native of Sumner County, Tenn. He was reared and educated in Nashville, and graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1883. He was in the service of the States as assistant geologist, during which time he collected all the minerals sent to the Southern exposition at Louisville, and also arranged the mineral cabinet for the State at Nashville, and assisted in collecting the specimens for the same. As inspector of mines he makes semi-annual reports to the State commissioner of agricultural statistics, etc., besides many private reports of individual mines. He located in Chattanooga in 1886, and October of the same year married Miss Mary Orr, a native of Nashville. Mr. Guild is a member of the Greek Society, "Beta Theta Pi." He is also grandson of Jo. C. Guild, author of "Old Times in Tennessee." His father, George B. Guild, an able attorney at Nashville, is a native of Nashville, and was a member of the Legislature in 1872, was also formerly county court clerk of Sumner County. The mother's maiden name was Georgie Thompson. The parents are both living, and our subject, two brothers and one sister are the surviving members of a family of five children.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887