Caloway William Gann

            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