Martin Medford Hess

Martin Medford Hess was born 1820, in Independence County, Arkansas, the son of Solomon Hess and Nancy (last name unknown).

The 1830 Independence County census, Ruddell Township, shows Martin age 5-10 years.     The 1840 Izard County census, Washington Township census shows him as 15-20 years old.

Martin's father died about November 1840 and his property was willed to his wife and children.     Martin, being a minor, was not mentioned by name in his father's will.

Martin married Elvira Jane O'Neal on July 8, 1843, in Independence County.     Elvira O'Neal was born July 27, 1827, in Independence County.    She was the daughter of Abijah O'Neal (b. 1797, KY; d. 1868, Independence Co, AR) and Elizabeth Tipton (d. 1832, Independence Co, AR).     (Note: Elvira's brother, Charles O'Neal, married Martin's sister, Evaline "Elva" Jane Hess.)

On October 3, 1848, the Independence County Probate Court appointed William Hess as guardian of his sister, Evaline "Elva" Jane Hess, a minor.     On October 8, 1848, William, as principal and his brother Martin, as security, posted a bond, binding themselves to their sister, Elva Jane.

In 1849, Martin signed an agreement with his siblings concerning the property left them by their father.

Martin's family appears on the 1850 Independence County census, in Wallace Township.    The census shows Martin M. Hess, 30, farmer, $800 real property; Elva J., 22; Abijah, 5 and Emily, 3 years old.     Living with the family was Melton Smith, 22, laborer, born in Tennessee, and George Collins, 11, also born in Tennessee.     They were living next to Martin's older brother, William Hess and his family.   

About 1850, Martin sold his father-in-law, Abijah O'Neal, the right to land a ferry on his property along the banks of the White River.     In 1854, Abijah O'Neal sold him back that landing right.

Martin died prior to November 30, 1857, in Independence County.    

A bond was filed and approved on November 30, 1859, by the Independence County Court, making Martin's widow, Elvira Jane Hess, and her brother Charles O'Neal, administrator and administratrix of the estate of Martin M. Hess, dec'd.    Elvira Jane's father, Abijah O'Neal, and W. H. Grigsby pledged securities for the bond.

An appraisement was conducted on Martin's estate and filed December 14, 1857, in Independence County.

Elvira married Benjamin Franklin Gordon on November 10, 1859, in Independence County.     Franklin Gordon was born about 1834, in Tennessee, according to census.   

The 1860 Independence County, Washington Township census shows Franklin Gordin, 26, farmer, $200 personal property; Elva J., 33; Abijah Hess, 15; Emly M. Hess, 13; Charles W. Hess, 9; and Virginia Hess, 5 years old.    

The 1870 Independence County census, Washington Township, shows Benj. F. Gorden, 37, farmer; Elvy J., 44; Florence R., 9; and Virginia Hess, 16 years old.    The family was living in the household with Elvy's brother Charles O'Neal and his family.

Franklin Gordon may have died prior to 1880.     The 1880 Independence County, Washington Township census shows Elva living with her married daughter, Virginia and her family.     The census shows David W. Warren, 30; Virginia, wife, 26; Clinton M., son, 6; Albert F., son, 3; Elvie J. Gordon, mother-in-law, 56; and Fannie Gordon, sister-in-law, 19 years old.     Boarding with the family was James Brown, 21, born in Arkansas. 

The 1900 Independence County census, Washington Township, shows Jane Gordon, mother-in-law, 72, widow, born July 1827, living with her daughter and son-in-law, Virginia and David Warren and their family. 

The 1910 Independence County, Washington Township census shows Elva J. Gordon, mother-in-law, 83, widow, still living with her daughter and son-in-law, Virginia and David Warren and their family. 

Elvira Jane died June 25, 1914. 

Children of Martin Hess and Elvira Jane O'Neal