GORHAM, John W. - Putnam

JOHN W. GORHAM, a farmer of Marion Township, was born in Putnam County June 15, 1838, son of Alexander and Eliza C. Gorham. He has been reared in this county, and was educated in the common schools of his father's district. He has always followed farming with the exception of a few years spent with his father in the saw mill. He was married December 29, 1864, to Miss Harriet James, born July 10, 1847, a daughter of William and Mahala James, who came to this county from Kentucky in an early day, settling near Cloverdale. Thomas James, father of William James, met his death, in 1823 or 1824, at the hands of a neighbor, while hewing puncheons for a floor. He was shot by James Robertson, who then went home and shot himself, this being the first murder and suicide in the county. To. Mr. and Mrs. Gorham have been born five children, four of whom are living--William, Ora, Nona W. and Lola; Ada A. is deceased. Mr. Gorham owns 103 acres of good land which is well cultivated and well improved. In politics he is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Christian church, of which he has officiated as deacon. William James, father of Mrs. Gorham, had been twice married, and was the father of seven children, only two of whom are living--Harriet and Maria. He died September 7, 1886.