My Genealogy Hound

William E. Gould, of Benton County, Ark., was born in Blount County, Tenn., in 1828, and is a son of John and Jane (Ritchie) Gould, who were born in Tennessee in 1800 and 1809, respectively. The father has always followed the occupation of farming, and in 1859 came to Benton County, Ark. He owns a good farm of 160 acres, and although eighty-eight years of age, has a very retentive memory, remembering with remarkable accuracy facts which occurred seventy-five and eighty years ago. He has been a lifelong Democrat, his first presidential vote being cast for Gen. Jackson in 1824. He is well versed in the political history of the United States. He and wife have lived a happy wedded life of sixty-one years, and their children and friends celebrated their diamond wedding in 1887. Both have been earnest and consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over forty-seven years. On the day they were married they resolved that neither would ever drink intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and have faithfully kept their pledge. Seven of their children lived to be grown: William E., Samuel, who died in 1879, at the age of forty-nine years; Levi C.; David N.; Nancy Ann, wife of J. S. Dickson; Narcissa J., wife of Charles Johnson, and Letitia, wife of John Huffman. John Gould’s parents were Samuel and Polly (Jackson) Gould, who were born in Ireland and Virginia, in 1766 and 1776, respectively. Samuel Gould immigrated to the United States in 1784, with his father, Robert Gould, who settled in Pennsylvania, but shortly after moved to Tennessee. Samuel was married in 1797, and died in 1835. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His wife was a daughter of John Jackson., who was born in Ireland, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. She died in Henry County, Tenn., in 1842, having borne six children, John being the only one living. William E. Gould served in the late war in Cabbel’s brigade, enlisting in 1862, and was at the battles of Prairie Grove, Mark’s Mill, Poison Spring, and was with Price on his raid through Missouri. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Patton, who was born in Sevier County in 1842. Seven children have blessed their union: Laura, William E., Robert P., Marcus L., John R., Essie A. and Pearlie C. Mr. Gould was elected to the State Legislature the first session after the war, and served his constituents faithfully and well. He is an indefatigable temperance worker, and a thorough Christian and gentleman. He has been ruling elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for twenty-four years, and has been Sunday-school superintendent for six years.