Nathan A. GANN

Nathan A. GANN, a prominent citizen of Eagle Township, Polk County, Ark., was born in Paulding County, Ga., on August 27, 1844, and is one of five living children born to Hiram and Elizabeth (GOGGINS) GANN, natives also of Georgia, the father born in 1824, and the mother in 1826. The father is still living, is a resident of Eagle Township, Polk Co Ark., but the mother died in this county in 1879. They resided in Georgia, until 1847, and then moved to Marion County, Ala., in 1867. From there they moved to Hardin County, Tenn., thence in 1869 to Cook County, Tex., and thence to Polk County, Ark., in the latter part of the same year. The father has always followed farming and for fifteen years was engaged in merchandising at which he was very successful. He is a Mason, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, being clerk in the same, and is a Democrat in politics. Of his children, William A. is a farmer in Archer Co., Tex.; Melissa is the wife of J. B. GREEN of this county, John D. is a farmer of this county and Hiram F., is also in this county. Nathan A Gann received a good practical education in his youth, and in 1862 joined the Fourth Mississippi Cavalry. Eighteen months later he joined Pierce's battalion and was lieutenant until cessation of hostilities. He was in the battle of Thompson's Station in Middle Tennessee, and was very seriously wounded by a bullet which entered just under the left collar bone and passed clear through. His recovery was considered a miracle. He served in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. After the war he commenced working for himself as a farmer and after residing in Alabama, Tenn., and Texas he came to Ark. and located in Polk County, on Two Mile Creek, where he bought a claim. Later he sold this and settled at Eagle Hill, where he is splendidly located and where he has 600 acres with good houses and outbuildings on the same. He owns another tract of 200 acres south of his present residence. He has been in the mercantile business most of the time for the last twelve years and was postmaster at Eagle Hill for five years. On Marcy 17, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary E. HUGHES of Alabama, a native of Marion County of that state, born in 1842. By this union they have five children: John R. (farming with our subject), James H. (also at home), Celia Melissa, Nathan F., Jr., and Mary, who is usually called Mollie. Two children are deceased: William H. and Laura L. Mr. and Mrs. Gann are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in his political views the former is strictly Democratic.

Ben F. GIPSON

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 mills in this and Scott Counties. In his political views he affillated with the Democratic party. Of his eight children that grew to maturity Ben F. was the eldest. The latter spent his school days inthhe Lone Star State and in Arkansas. He remained and assisted his father on the farm until twenty-four years of age, and then strted 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 honestyj, 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 D., Minnie L., Bertha C., Bessie L., Maggie B., William Isaac and Dora D. Mr. Gipson is a Mason, and a member of the Mountain Meadow Lodge No. 218. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.

John B. GRAVES

John B. GRAVES needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is well known throughout this section. That the following brief sketch of his honorable and eventful life is afforded a place here, will be a matter of much interest to the many who have come to know him so intimately, and felt the influence of his life and generosity. Born ten miles west of Lebanon, Tenn., February 17, 1849, he is a son of George B. and Nancy (BROWN) GRAVES, who were natives of Tennessee, and is a grandson of John G. GRAVES, the latter moving from North Carolina to Tennessee at an early day, where he was not only one of the earliest settlers, but also one of the first and most successful merchants. George B. GRAVES inherited English blood from the paternal side of his family. While farming was his vocation in life, he figured to some extent as a Whig politician, and besides holding various local positions of honor and trust, was sheriff of Wilson County for a number of years. Socially, he belonged to the fraternity of Odd Fellows, who conducted the funeral rites at his death. His demise left a widow and two children to survive, the former yet living. There were five children in all, their names being: Louisa (a talented lady, member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the deceased wife of W. H. HARRINGTON, of Wilson county, Tenn.), Elizabeth (died when quite young), Mary G. (who died in Tenn., the wife of T. LEGON), Byron, (a farmer, of Wilson County), John B. (is the third in this family). He spent his school days in his native county, receiving his education in Sliver Springs Academy. After attaining man's estate he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, and that calling has since continued. He moved to Bowie County, Tex., in 1874, but two years later came to Polk County, Ark., and here has since made his home on his present farm, which is situated two miles south of Potter, and contains 190 acres of land, a considerable portion of which is under cultivation. He has served two years as constable, and has also been a school director of his district. He was married in 1874, to Miss Martha JETTON, of Wilson County, Tenn., by whom he has four children: Beady, George D., Arthusa and Alice T. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are members of the Christian Church; Mr. Graves being also an elder. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, is lecturer of his lodge, and a Democrat.He has traveled far, and in early life was acquainted with Andrew JOHNSON. Graves End, London, was named in honor of his family.