Springfield-Greene
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J. W. GANN. From an excellent old Kentucky family comes J. W. Gann, the obliging and popular city passenger and ticket agent for the Frisco Lines at Springfield, and he seems to have inherited many of the commendable traits of his worthy progenitors. He has devoted the major portion of his active career to railroad service and has given eminent satisfaction in every position he has held in this field of endeavor.
Mr. Gann was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, December 11, 1871. He is a son of William K. and Mary (Daugherty) Gann. The father was born in Kentucky in 1838, and there the birth of the mother occurred in 1848, each scions of old Southern families. They grew to maturity in the Blue Grass state and were educated there, the father receiving an exceptionally good education for that period. After passing through the common schools he attended the Louisville Medical College, where he made a fine record and from which institution he was graduated with the degree of doctor of medicine, also completing a course in pharmacy. He engaged successfully in the practice of his profession until his death in 1885. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1883. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, namely: Charles M. is deceased; J. W. of this sketch; Hattie, Mattie and Edward Everett.
J. W. Gann was reared at the parental homestead in Wayne county, Kentucky, and there he received a practical common school education, but he started out in life when young, being but seventeen years of age when he began his career as railroader, in which he has been engaged ever since. He began as telegraph operator for the Queen & Crescent railroad in Tateville, Kentucky. He was sent to various places to work by this road, with which he remained until 1900, then went to work for the Frisco Lines as ticket seller in the office at Birmingham, Alabama. In 1905 he was made city passenger agent in that city. Remaining there until in March, 1907, he was transferred to Springfield, Missouri, as chief ticket clerk, and in December, 1910, he was promoted to city passenger and ticket agent, which position he still holds.
Mr. Gann was married on November 7, 1906, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Prewitt. She was born near Springville, Alabama, February 5, 1874, and there grew to womanhood and received her education.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gann has been without issue.
Politically, our subject is a Democrat. He is prominent in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second degree. Religiously, he is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
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