Benton Co., AR - Biographies - William E. Gould

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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 [p.838] 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 life-long 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.