Person:Gideon Farley (1)

Gideon Farley, the eldest son of the settler, Drewry Farley was born on Buffalo Run near New River. He raised a large family on a farm now know as the Thompson Farm, located near Beech Spring on Shockley's Hill. The farm was granted to him by a patent issued June 8, 1855, by Governor Henry A. Wise, approximately 300 acres.

Gideon had a quick, violent, razory temper which was likely to flare up into a violent rage at the least provocation to a seemingly uncontrollable passion. Nevertheless he was a good neighbor, a steadfast friend and a good citizen. His pecular temper gave his name to people of like characteristics as a "Gid temper." This characteristic may be traced to the Vikings.

I remember my family folks speaking of the "Farley Temper," if someone acted in this manner.

The wife of Gideon, Dina Cook was the daughter of Daniel Cook, the second white man to make his permanent home in Pipestem District about 1822. Gideon and Dina had a family of six sons and five daughters.

Gideon Farley's burial is in the Nelson Farley Cemetery, Shockley Hill, near Village of Farley, Pipestem District, Summers County, WV indexed by R. K. Cottle and Debra Hall 8-25-96 and listed on rootsweb, Summers County.

This index gives Gideon's headstone listing as Gideon Farley 10-20-1796--8-27-1868.