John Gaston Grant was a politician

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

 and served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
John Gaston Grant was born 1 January 1858 in a log cabin

Log cabin

A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...

 in Henderson County, North Carolina

Henderson County, North Carolina

Henderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is part of the Asheville, North Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2008, the population was 102,367. Its county seat is Hendersonville.- History :...

 (near Bat Cave, North Carolina

Bat Cave, North Carolina

Bat Cave is an unincorporated community in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area....

), along what is now Highway 74. He was the fifth child of William Colin and Sarah Elizabeth (Freeman) Grant, of Henderson county, NC. He was self-educated and a life-long "Radical" or Republican

Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...

. He was called "Cornbread John" by local Democrat

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

-leaning newspaper, The French Broad Hustler. He married Zsa Zura Edney, 30 March 1876 in Henderson county, North Carolina.

Grant was a Member of the State house of representatives in 1889, but declined a renomination. He was the sheriff

Sheriff

A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....

 of Henderson County 1892-1896 and refused a renomination in 1896. He was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-first Congress (March 4, 1909-March 3, 1911). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1910 to the Sixty-second Congress after which he resumed agricultural pursuits.

Grant died in Hendersonville

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville is a city in Henderson County, North Carolina, USA, southeast of Asheville. In 1900, 1,917 persons lived in Hendersonville; in 1910, 2,818; and in 1940, 5,381 people lived here. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,223, up fivefold in one century. It is the county...

, N.C., June 21, 1923 and is interred in Oak Dale Cemetery.