JOHN W. GAUNT, farmer, P. O. New Grand Chain, was born in Pulaski County,
Ill., September 24, 1850. His parents, James M. and Mary A. (Steers) Gaunt,
were both natives of Kentucky. The father was a son of Thomas Gaunt, who
came from Virginia. He was a carpenter by trade, and afterward engaged in
merchandising and farming. At different times he run general stores at Old
Grand Chain, for several years. He burned out in April, 1865. He died at the
age of fifty-four years, October 21, 1875. He was in the Mexican war, and
was a Christian man, universally esteemed by all who knew him. His wife is
still living, and resides with our subject. She is the mother of seven
children, five of whom survive — Sarah J., John W., Annie M., Mary M. and
James H. The early schooling of our subject was obtained in the common
schools of this county. He afterward attended the Southern Illinois College
at Carbondale, Ill., and in the winter of 1870-71, took a business course at
the Evansville Commercial College, Indiana. In his early life he assisted
his father in merchandising and farming, and at the latter's death he took
charge of the home place, which now consists of ninety-seven acres, which is
given to general farming. In politics, Mr. Gaunt is a Republican.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, pages 305-306.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
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Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
