My Genealogy Hound

William H. Gunn is one of the old and prominent settlers of Benton County, Mo., having located in this county in 1858. He was born in Halifax County, Va., April 17, 1826, and is one of twelve children born to the union of Thomas T. and Elizabeth (Haly) Gunn. These children are named as follows: Mary Ann (deceased), Archibald T., William H., Nancy, now living in Greene County, and the wife of Thomas S. Montgomery; Susan F. (deceased), Elizabeth, widow of Stephen A. Douglas, now living in Benton County; Mary M., wife of James Welch, now in Texas; George W. (deceased), Carrol (deceased), Martha (deceased), Talitha F. (deceased), Catherine (deceased), and Samuel, now in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Gunn were both natives of Tennessee. The former was born January 5, 1797, and died in 1881 at his home in Texas, where he moved from Missouri in 1881. He came from Tennessee to Missouri in 1841, and entered 160 acres of land in Greene County. He was quite an extensive real estate man. Mrs. Gunn was born February 11, 1801, and died in 1864. The paternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch were of Irish extraction, and the maternal grandparents were of English origin. William H. Gunn was but twelve years of age when his father came to Missouri. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one year of age, when he began business for himself. November 26, 1847, he married Miss Margaret Smith, daughter of Joseph P. and Mickam (Robinson) Smith. She was a native of Tennessee, and died in 1861, at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving seven children, who are all deceased but two, Marian and Calvin. The former is in Arkansas. July 11, 1861, Mr. Gunn married Miss M. Levan, daughter of Daniel and Cyntha Ann (Dodd) Levan, and the result of this union was the following children: William (deceased), Elvira, wife of J. Montgomery and now at home; Frances, wife of Mr. Douglas, now residing in Louisiana; Daniel S., at home; George W., Susan, Levi Hamden (deceased), John, Alfred and Fidelia. Mr. Gunn bought forty acres of land in Benton County in 1858, and entered 200 acres more. He owns but 140 acres at present. He is a Republican in politics, and was registering officer four years. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.