John Anderson Gideon (1837-1914) was born in Greene Co, MO (now Christian Co), the son of William Gideon and Matilda Woods. He married Elizabeth Hancock in 1857. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Co. "C", 72nd MO Inf. as 1st Sgt. During the Springfield fight on January 8, 1863, he was captured but was paroled the next day. After his term expired, he enlisted in Co. "H", 16th MO Cav. as 2nd Lt., serving until July 1, 1865. He was a scout during Price's Raid. After the war, he served as a county Judge in Christian Co and was a notary for 10 years. He was the leading politician of the Republican Party in the county, knowing every man in the county and his politics. (Photo courtesy of Woody Franklin)

John lived on the old family homestead and through the 1880's ran a government distellery at Ponce de Leon. He gave land for a cemetery in that town and is buried there. he was remembered as standing very erect at over six feet, three inches weighing over 200 pounds and had a hearty laugh that could be heard for a quarter mile.