Individual Details
John Thomas Gano , Sr.
(16 May 1856 - 2 Nov 1891)
G4 RANCH. The G4 Ranch was one of the largest in the Trans-Pecos in the late 1880s and early 1890s. John T. Gano, the son of former Confederate general Richard M. Gano, arrived in the Big Bend region in 1879; the firm of R. M. Gano and Son of Dallas was one of several land-locating businesses working in conjunction with Presidio County surveyors. John Gano served as deputy surveyor for Presidio County, which at that time still included all the area of present Brewster County. He was sufficiently impressed by the country he saw in the course of his surveying that in 1885 he and his brother Clarence organized the Estado Land and Cattle Company, headquartered in Dallas. They purchased 55,000 acres in survey Block G4 (hence the name of the ranch) and leased other watered sections nearby. They established their ranch headquarters at Oak Spring or Ojo de Chisos, just west of the Basin in what is now Big Bend National Park; established line camps at the mouth of Terlingua Creek and near Agua Fria Mountain; and persuaded James B. Gillett to resign as marshal of El Paso to manage the ranch, which was close to a spread that Gillett and his former Texas Ranger colleague C. L. Nevill had purchased. The ranch extended from Agua Fria Mountain on the north to the Rio Grande on the south, and from Terlingua Creek on the west to the Chisos Mountains on the east; it thus covered most of what is now southwestern Brewster County. This was land that had never been stocked; at the time, recalled Gillett, "The Ganos had it all to themselves." In May 1885 they bought 2,000 cattle in Dallas and Denton counties and shipped them to Toyah, then drove them overland to the G4. They bought 2,000 more in Uvalde and drove them west to the ranch by way of Del Rio, Langtry, Dryden, Sanderson, and Marathon. Other cattle were shipped to Marathon, and by the late summer of 1885 the G4 had a herd of 6,000. The G4 cattle survived the drought of 1886 relatively unscathed because the land on which they were kept had not been overstocked or overgrazed, and in 1891 the herd was estimated at 30,000 head. Nevertheless, dry years and other problems caused the company to disband in 1895. By then the Ganos had driven 15,000 cattle north to Marathon to be shipped to market. They sold the remaining 15,000 to Doc Gourley and Pink Taylor.
In 1929 Homer Wilson, a mining and petroleum engineer from Del Rio, arrived in Brewster County and began buying grazing land west of the Chisos Mountains. He eventually acquired forty-four sections, including most of the old G4, and established his headquarters at Oak Spring. Wilson became the first large-scale sheep and goat rancher in the Big Bend area, where he introduced various ranching and water-conservation innovations. He remained in business until the mid-1940s, when Big Bend National Park took over much of the land that had belonged to the old G4.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Gus L. Ford, ed., Texas Cattle Brands (Dallas: Cockrell, 1936). Arthur R. Gomez, A Most Singular Country: A History of Occupation in the Big Bend (Santa Fe: National Park Service, Salt Lake City: Charles Redd Center for Western Studies, Brigham Young University, 1990). R. D. Holt, "Pioneer Cowmen of Brewster County and the Big Bend Area," Cattleman, June 1942.
Martin Donell Kohout
A Sad Mission.
A telegram has been received from Judge W. B. Gano, saying he would reach Dallas to-morrow (Saturday) evening at 8 o'clock with the body of the late John T. Gano. A number of friends will leave this city to-morrow at 3 o;o'clock and meet the body at Fort Worth, accompanying it back to Dallas.
- November 6, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 7, col. 1.
CONSIGNED TO THE TOMB.
________
FUNERAL OF THE LATE JOHN
T. GANO YESTERDAY.
________
Services at The Church--The
Pall Bearers and Resolutions of Board of Trade.
The remains of the late John T. Gano, one of Dallas' most honored and progressive citizens, arrived in this city Saturday evening from Wyoming, where Augel Azrael struck him down without a moment's warning, in charge of his brother, W. B. Gano. A delegation of citizens of Dallas accompanied the remains from Fort Worth to the home made desolate by the grim reaper and to the relatives plunged into the deepest mourning by the untimely demise of a loved one who had barely passed the threshold of manhood's youthful prime.
A largely-attended meeting of the Board of Trade was held Saturday afternoon and sorrow was depleted upon every countenance, for John T. Gano was held in high esteem and universally admired for his manly ways, progressive spirit, Christian character and unalterable devotion to what he considered was right and just. His former friends and associates adopted the following tribute to the worth of the departed, after which the meeting adjourned, each and every one feeling in his heart that Dallas mourned the loss of one of her most valued citizens:
Whereas, the officers and members of the Board of Trade have learned with profound sorrow of the sudden demise of their esteemed member and honored director, Mr. J. T. Gano, and
Whereas, it is well known to the citizens of Dallas and the officers and members of this Board of Trade, that the deceased was a true friend to all and every interest concerning the prosperity of the city of Dallas and the state of Texas; therefore be it
Resolved, that as officers and members of the board of Trade and citizens of Dallas, we deplore the summons from on high to our honored member, which has removed him from among us and thus deprived us of one of our most useful and valued members, and the city of Dallas of a true friend, one whose counsel was ever ready and whose purse was ever open when demanded for the public good. Be it further
Resolved, that we extend to the family of our deceased member, our sincere and heartfelt sympathy and assure them that we fully appreciate his loss, both in its sadness and its effect. Be it
Resolved, that the Board of Trade rooms be draped for ten days in memory of our deceased director and that a coy of these resolutions be spread on the minutes of our association and be furnished to his family and to the press.
The funeral took place yesterday from the late residence of the dead, the religious services being held at the Christian Church on Bryan street at 10 o'clock in the morning, The temple of God was crowded with mourners and the friends of the family. In fact, it was one of the largest demonstrations ever witnessed in the city and was indicative of the warm place John T. Gano held in the hearts of his townsmen. Eld. W. H. Wright, assisted by Eld. M. M. Davis of the Central Christian Church, and Eld. R. C. Brummitt of Sherman, conducted the simple, but impressive service of the Christian denomination. Elder Wright delivered the funeral sermon, in which he paid a most eloquent tribute to the worth of his dead friend, his standing as a citizen, his pure Christian character and his zeal in the cause of the Master. To the bereaved ones, the loving young wife weighed down with the greatest sorrow which can cast its pall over a happy home circle, to the little children deprived of a fond father's care and a father's love, to the bereaved parents, who mourned the loss of a noble and affectionate son, to the weeping brothers and sisters who bowed in humble submission to the fiat of Him, who doeth all things well--to these were given that consolation which only those who place their trust in the hands of God can receive.
The floral offerings were magnificent. They came fro those whose hearts had been pierced by the dart of the dread messenger, from those who had loved and lost. They were typical of the transitory stages of man's brief career---from the cradle to the grave.
Among the beautiful emblems were, "The Gates Ajar," composed of cape jasmine, white carnations, tube roses and Le Puritan buds surmounted by a star, over which fluttered a pair of white doves guiding the way to that heaven of rest, with "Our Boy" in immortelles. A large pillow of rare white blossoms with a cluster of Marechel Neil roses with "Our Brother" in purple immortelles. A smaller pillow with the pathetic words, "Our Papa," a monument, embedded among its dainty flowers three feet high of peerless white blossoms with the words, "Brother John." A lyre surmounted by a star and crescent with anchor resting on the pedestal with "Brother" in immortelles, while numerous wreaths, anchors, crosses and other lovely designs emblematical of the faith, hope and charity of the dear departed and the love and esteem of sorrowing friends, rested in their exquisite bloom and fragrance on the elegant casket and about the altar.
Among the mourners were the servants of the family, man of them bowed with years and gray with age, showed grief stricken faces bore evidence that they, too, had lost a kind and indulgent master, nay more, a faithful friend.
After the services were over, the funeral cortege slowly wended its way toward the silent city where sleep the dead in the "windless palaces of rest." It was one of the most imposing funeral corteges ever witnessed in the metropolis, more than 300 carriages having been counted. The pallbearers were, Messrs. O. P. Bowser, Dr. R. W. Allen, Judge Z. E. Coombes, W. H. Lemon, Ripley Harwood, J. J. Collins, J. V. Spears and Frank, W. Crutcher.
In the most beautiful portion of the Trinity cemetery was consigned to tomb, the mortal remains of John T. Gano, there to sleep until that morn when resurrection comes and the re-union f long parted ones shall take place. The grave was covered with flowers, those pure and fragrant offerings of loving hearts. the last sad rites had been paid to the dead.
This is the first death that has broken the home circle of Gen. and Mrs. R. M. Gano's family. All the members of the family were present with exception of a brother of deceased, Dr. Sidney Gano, who is in Philadelphia.
John T. Gano was one of the foremost young men of Dallas. A Kentuckian by birth, he loved the state and city of his adoption and ever lead [led?] in the van of progress. He was a devoted husband and father, a dutiful son, a kind brother, a good citizen, a true friend, an upright, chivalrous, Christian gentleman and God's noblest work--an honest man. The TIMES-HERALD, voicing the deep grief of the people of Dallas, extends to the grieved ones in their hour of sorrow, the sympathy of all.
- November 9, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 5, col. 2-3.
Killed on ranch in Montana.
In 1929 Homer Wilson, a mining and petroleum engineer from Del Rio, arrived in Brewster County and began buying grazing land west of the Chisos Mountains. He eventually acquired forty-four sections, including most of the old G4, and established his headquarters at Oak Spring. Wilson became the first large-scale sheep and goat rancher in the Big Bend area, where he introduced various ranching and water-conservation innovations. He remained in business until the mid-1940s, when Big Bend National Park took over much of the land that had belonged to the old G4.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Gus L. Ford, ed., Texas Cattle Brands (Dallas: Cockrell, 1936). Arthur R. Gomez, A Most Singular Country: A History of Occupation in the Big Bend (Santa Fe: National Park Service, Salt Lake City: Charles Redd Center for Western Studies, Brigham Young University, 1990). R. D. Holt, "Pioneer Cowmen of Brewster County and the Big Bend Area," Cattleman, June 1942.
Martin Donell Kohout
A Sad Mission.
A telegram has been received from Judge W. B. Gano, saying he would reach Dallas to-morrow (Saturday) evening at 8 o'clock with the body of the late John T. Gano. A number of friends will leave this city to-morrow at 3 o;o'clock and meet the body at Fort Worth, accompanying it back to Dallas.
- November 6, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 7, col. 1.
CONSIGNED TO THE TOMB.
________
FUNERAL OF THE LATE JOHN
T. GANO YESTERDAY.
________
Services at The Church--The
Pall Bearers and Resolutions of Board of Trade.
The remains of the late John T. Gano, one of Dallas' most honored and progressive citizens, arrived in this city Saturday evening from Wyoming, where Augel Azrael struck him down without a moment's warning, in charge of his brother, W. B. Gano. A delegation of citizens of Dallas accompanied the remains from Fort Worth to the home made desolate by the grim reaper and to the relatives plunged into the deepest mourning by the untimely demise of a loved one who had barely passed the threshold of manhood's youthful prime.
A largely-attended meeting of the Board of Trade was held Saturday afternoon and sorrow was depleted upon every countenance, for John T. Gano was held in high esteem and universally admired for his manly ways, progressive spirit, Christian character and unalterable devotion to what he considered was right and just. His former friends and associates adopted the following tribute to the worth of the departed, after which the meeting adjourned, each and every one feeling in his heart that Dallas mourned the loss of one of her most valued citizens:
Whereas, the officers and members of the Board of Trade have learned with profound sorrow of the sudden demise of their esteemed member and honored director, Mr. J. T. Gano, and
Whereas, it is well known to the citizens of Dallas and the officers and members of this Board of Trade, that the deceased was a true friend to all and every interest concerning the prosperity of the city of Dallas and the state of Texas; therefore be it
Resolved, that as officers and members of the board of Trade and citizens of Dallas, we deplore the summons from on high to our honored member, which has removed him from among us and thus deprived us of one of our most useful and valued members, and the city of Dallas of a true friend, one whose counsel was ever ready and whose purse was ever open when demanded for the public good. Be it further
Resolved, that we extend to the family of our deceased member, our sincere and heartfelt sympathy and assure them that we fully appreciate his loss, both in its sadness and its effect. Be it
Resolved, that the Board of Trade rooms be draped for ten days in memory of our deceased director and that a coy of these resolutions be spread on the minutes of our association and be furnished to his family and to the press.
The funeral took place yesterday from the late residence of the dead, the religious services being held at the Christian Church on Bryan street at 10 o'clock in the morning, The temple of God was crowded with mourners and the friends of the family. In fact, it was one of the largest demonstrations ever witnessed in the city and was indicative of the warm place John T. Gano held in the hearts of his townsmen. Eld. W. H. Wright, assisted by Eld. M. M. Davis of the Central Christian Church, and Eld. R. C. Brummitt of Sherman, conducted the simple, but impressive service of the Christian denomination. Elder Wright delivered the funeral sermon, in which he paid a most eloquent tribute to the worth of his dead friend, his standing as a citizen, his pure Christian character and his zeal in the cause of the Master. To the bereaved ones, the loving young wife weighed down with the greatest sorrow which can cast its pall over a happy home circle, to the little children deprived of a fond father's care and a father's love, to the bereaved parents, who mourned the loss of a noble and affectionate son, to the weeping brothers and sisters who bowed in humble submission to the fiat of Him, who doeth all things well--to these were given that consolation which only those who place their trust in the hands of God can receive.
The floral offerings were magnificent. They came fro those whose hearts had been pierced by the dart of the dread messenger, from those who had loved and lost. They were typical of the transitory stages of man's brief career---from the cradle to the grave.
Among the beautiful emblems were, "The Gates Ajar," composed of cape jasmine, white carnations, tube roses and Le Puritan buds surmounted by a star, over which fluttered a pair of white doves guiding the way to that heaven of rest, with "Our Boy" in immortelles. A large pillow of rare white blossoms with a cluster of Marechel Neil roses with "Our Brother" in purple immortelles. A smaller pillow with the pathetic words, "Our Papa," a monument, embedded among its dainty flowers three feet high of peerless white blossoms with the words, "Brother John." A lyre surmounted by a star and crescent with anchor resting on the pedestal with "Brother" in immortelles, while numerous wreaths, anchors, crosses and other lovely designs emblematical of the faith, hope and charity of the dear departed and the love and esteem of sorrowing friends, rested in their exquisite bloom and fragrance on the elegant casket and about the altar.
Among the mourners were the servants of the family, man of them bowed with years and gray with age, showed grief stricken faces bore evidence that they, too, had lost a kind and indulgent master, nay more, a faithful friend.
After the services were over, the funeral cortege slowly wended its way toward the silent city where sleep the dead in the "windless palaces of rest." It was one of the most imposing funeral corteges ever witnessed in the metropolis, more than 300 carriages having been counted. The pallbearers were, Messrs. O. P. Bowser, Dr. R. W. Allen, Judge Z. E. Coombes, W. H. Lemon, Ripley Harwood, J. J. Collins, J. V. Spears and Frank, W. Crutcher.
In the most beautiful portion of the Trinity cemetery was consigned to tomb, the mortal remains of John T. Gano, there to sleep until that morn when resurrection comes and the re-union f long parted ones shall take place. The grave was covered with flowers, those pure and fragrant offerings of loving hearts. the last sad rites had been paid to the dead.
This is the first death that has broken the home circle of Gen. and Mrs. R. M. Gano's family. All the members of the family were present with exception of a brother of deceased, Dr. Sidney Gano, who is in Philadelphia.
John T. Gano was one of the foremost young men of Dallas. A Kentuckian by birth, he loved the state and city of his adoption and ever lead [led?] in the van of progress. He was a devoted husband and father, a dutiful son, a kind brother, a good citizen, a true friend, an upright, chivalrous, Christian gentleman and God's noblest work--an honest man. The TIMES-HERALD, voicing the deep grief of the people of Dallas, extends to the grieved ones in their hour of sorrow, the sympathy of all.
- November 9, 1891, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 5, col. 2-3.
Killed on ranch in Montana.
Events
| Birth | 16 May 1856 | Bourbon Co., KY | |||
| Marriage | 10 Jan 1884 | Stanford, Bourbon Co., KY - Clara Belle Helm | |||
| Death | 2 Nov 1891 | Laramie, WY |
Families
| Spouse | Clara Belle Helm (1862 - 1899) |
| Child | Richard Montgomery Gano (1886 - 1947) |
| Child | Emma Virginia Welch Gano (1888 - 1945) |
| Child | John Thomas Gano , Jr. (1892 - 1969) |
| Father | Richard Montgomery Gano (1830 - 1913) |
| Mother | Martha Jones Welch (1832 - 1895) |
| Sibling | William Beriah Gano (1854 - 1913) |
| Sibling | Clarence Welsh Gano (1858 - 1906) |
| Sibling | Samuel E. Gano (1859 - 1860) |
| Sibling | Katherine Montgomery Gano (1862 - 1944) |
| Sibling | Frances Conn Gano (1864 - 1864) |
| Sibling | Maurice (J.) Dudley (Montgomery) Gano (1865 - 1927) |
| Sibling | Robert Edward Lee Gano (1867 - 1911) |
| Sibling | Dr Sidney Johnson "Albert" Gano (1867 - 1921) |
| Sibling | Emma Welch Gano (1869 - 1936) |
| Sibling | Frank Allen Gano (1871 - 1874) |
| Sibling | Martha Clara Gano (1873 - 1903) |