John T. Gaither
Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri
Biographies of Scott County, 1888
John T. Gaither, a merchant of Commerce, Mo., was born in 1832, in Davidson County, Ky., and when one year old, came with his parents, John and Rebecca (Bell) Gaither, to Southeast Missouri, and located in Cape Girardeau County. He remained with his parents until the death of his father, in 1840, when he was bound for three years to Mr. McGuire, of Jackson, Mo., to learn the tanner's trade. He then came to Scott County, and was engaged with his brother in the tanning business until 1849, after which he went to New Orleans and remained one Year. Returning home, he entered school at Cape Girardeau, where he finished his education in 1852. In company with his brother, James W., and others, he then went overland, with ox-teams, to California, the trip requiring 110 days, during which he drove the team every third day. Upon reaching California he began prospecting for gold, and after remaining there two years engaged in mining and farming. He returned, in 1854, to Commerce. John T. Gaither, after his return home, purchased the tan-yard of his brother, B.B. Gaither, and managed the business until the commencement of the Civil War. During the war he was engaged in farming and dealing in wood on Big Island, in the Mississippi River. From 1866 until 1870 he was engaged in farming in Scott County, and from 1870 until 1875 in merchandising at Morley, at which time he removed to Commerce and engaged in his present general merchandising business. He was elected treasurer of Scott County 1868, and served one term. For twenty-seven years served as school director, and retired in 1887, refusing to serve longer. In 1858 he married Columbia Daugherty, a native of Dunklin County, Mo., born in 1839. They have had nine children, viz: Hettie (wife of Herbert Ranney, of Cape Girardeau County), Emma (wife of James Ranney, of the same county as above), John W. (deceased), Anna, Arthur, Birtie, Belle, Benjamin B. and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Gaither are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having been a member since 1869. He is also a member of the A.F. & A.M., and A.O.U.W.
Submitted by Connie Perkins
Poster-#-157-
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