Fayette County Genealogy ProjectGANS GANS (p. 155-156) (II) Jacob, son of George Gans, was born about 1780, probably in Maryland, but passed his childhood and afterlife in Springhill and Nicholson townships, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He was a land owner and farmer of Nicholson township, and served in the war of 1812, attaining the rank of lieutenant. He died in middle age, at his home in Nicholson township. He married (first) a Miss Red, of Washington county, and had two children: Susan, married Jacob Rummel, and a daughter who married James Ogden. He married (second) Rosanna Rummel. Children by second wife: 1. William, moved to near Danville, Illinois, married and left five children. 2. Jacob Jr., also settled near Danville, Illinois, married and left three sons. 3. John F., of whom further. 4. Nathaniel, settled in Henry county, Illinois. 5. David, spent fourteen years in California, but died in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, unmarried. 6. Bethsheba, married James Beatty and moved to Iowa, left three children. 7. Katherine, married John Ross, of West Virginia, died in Greene county, Pennsylvania. 8. Margaret, married Samuel Durr, died in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. (III) John F., son of Jacob and Rosanna (Rummel) Gans, was born in Nicholson township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1817, died there October 5, 1897. His whole life was devoted to the pursuit of agriculture in his native township, where he owned a farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres. He was an influential Democrat and held many township offices. He was industrious and thrifty, holding the esteem and good will of his neighborhood. He married Delilah South, born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1811, died June 7, 1891, daughter of Enoch and Ruth (Gregg) South, both born in Greene county, Pennsylvania. Enoch South was the only son of Benjamin South, who came to Greene county from near Princeton, New Jersey. The stone house he built on his Greene county farm is still standing. His children were Enoch, the only son, and two daughters, who married sons of the Minor family and left descendants yet living in Greene county. Enoch South was a farmer and a Democrat. His wife, Ruth (Gregg) South, was of an English Quaker family. Their children: 1. Delilah, of previous mention, married John F. Gans. 2. Elizabeth, married Abner Bailey and died in Greene county, Pennsylvania, leaving five children. 3. Ruth, married William Knotts and died in Greene county, leaving four children. 4. Sarah, married Abijah South and moved to Green county, Wisconsin. 5. Melinda, married William Britton and died in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. 6. Maria, killed by a fall from his horse at the age of sixteen years. 7. Rebecca, married Evan Evans and died in Greene county, Pennsylvania; their son William served in the civil war. 8. John, died in Greene county, Pennsylvania. 9. Benjamin, died on Greene county homestead settled by his grandfather. Children of John F. and Delilah Gans: 1. Enoch S., educated at Washington and Jefferson College, settled at Red Bluff, California; he was a teacher and instructor of youth until his death in 1886; he married and left issue. 2. David, of whom further. 3. Melinda, now living in Point Marion, Pennsylvania. (IV) David, youngest son of John F. and Delilah (South) Gans, was born in Nicholson township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1843. He was educated in the public schools, and grew to manhood on the home farm. He became the owner of the home farm which he cultivated until 1901, when he sold the coal underlying it, later also sold the farm and retired to Uniontown, where he purchased the old Isaac Williams home at No. 56 East Berkeley street. He was an influential Democrat in his township and was nominated for the legislature; he also held town office. He is an elder of the First Presbyterian church, of which his wife is also a member. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, having always been interested in the work of this organization. He married, July 29, 1893, Harriet M., born in Fayette county, daughter of William and Mary Harriet (Neff) Schroyer, and granddaughter of Dr. George W. Neff, Sr., of Masontown, Pennsylvania, and early medical practitioner. Children: Ruth, Harriet, David, Helen, all residing at home. Source: New York |