My Genealogy Hound

Jesse P. Gibbens, farmer and stock raiser, of Spring River Township, was born in Rowan County, N. C., January 11, 1831. He is a son of John and Patsy (Winders) Gibbens, of the same State, who moved to the State of Tennessee, about the year 1836, and settled in Shelby County, on a farm where they resided until 1846, and then changed their home for one in Lawrence County, Ark. Jesse P. Gibbens remained with his father, until he reached his majority, in this county, which was also about the time of the elder Gibbens’ death, and then went back to Tennessee. After an absence of three years he returned, and was married in Lawrence County, in 1861, to Miss Mary J. Hamrich, of Tennessee, a daughter of John Hamrich. Mr. Gibbens had cleared up and improved his farm before his marriage, and he now owns 140 acres of valuable land, with over 100 acres ready for cultivation, besides having a small but select orchard and a comfortable house. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and joined Col. Baber’s regiment, serving until the final surrender. He took part in a number of sharp skirmishes at close quarters, and was always to the front in battle. He was paroled at Jacksonport, June 5, 1865, and returned home to his farm work and a more peaceful life. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbens have one daughter, the wife of F. Lee, a resident of Lawrence County. They are lovers of children, and have reared eight orphans to maturity, and started them in life with the exception of one. Both Mr. Gibbens and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the former a member of Rock Cave Lodge No. 347, A. F. & A. M. They are well known for their benevolence and generosity, and are highly esteemed by their neighbors.