My Genealogy Hound

Ben F. Gipson, senior member of the firm of Gipson & Barton, general merchants of Cove, was born in Scott County, Ark., on August 16, 1854, and is a son of William C. and Sarah P. (Ivy) Gipson, natives of Tennessee and Alabama, respectively. The parents were married in Scott County, Ark., in 1852. The father went to that county when a young man, and his death occurred in Polk County in 1889 when sixty-six years of age. The mother is still living on the home place. They moved to Texas in 1867, and from there to this county in 1871. The father was a soldier in the Mexican War, going from Tennessee, and during the late war he was captain of an Arkansas company during the last two years of that struggle. He was a life-long farmer and mill man, operating a mill in this and Scott Counties. In his political views he affiliated with the Democratic party. Of his eight children that grew to maturity Ben F. was the eldest. The latter spent his school days in the Lone Star State and in Arkansas. He remained and assisted his father on the farm until twenty-four years of age, and then started out as an agriculturist for himself. In 1887 he commenced business as a— , and two years later engaged in merchandising with Johnson and Barton. Later Johnson retired, and the firm has since been Gipson & Barton. They are live business men, and are very successful. Mr. Gipson started a poor boy, but by honesty, industry and good business ability, he has become one of the prominent business men of Cove. He has been deputy sheriff under Sheriff Pitkins, filling that position six years, and also the same position under Hopkins for four years. He was married in 1878 to Miss N. E. Jones, daughter of Isaac Jones, of this county. To this union seven children were born—six daughters and one son—all living: Lona C., Minnie L., Bertha C., Bessie L., Maggie B., William Isaac and Dora D. Mr. Gipson is a Mason, and a member of Mountain Meadow Lodge No. 218. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.