Whispers of Kosse’s Past
Part 2
The story of the Hearn-Gidden-Hunter House continues this week with the story of the Gidden family. Mrs. Hearne sold the Victorian farmhouse to Isaac (Ike) and Carrie Gidden in 1913. They lived in the home until 1955 when Mrs. Gidden, a widow by this time sold the house once again.
Isaac Gidden, better known as Ike, was born in Arkansas on November 26, 1862, the third child of Sidney Cumanos Gidden and his wife Mary Ellen (Anderson). Earlier that year, Sidney Gidden had enlisted in the Confederate Army, 24th Infantry Arkansas, Company F.
Two months after Isaac’s birth, tragedy was narrowly averted when his father’s unit was fighting the battle of Arkansas Post on 1/11/1863. During the battle, the majority of the unit was captured by Union forces, the POW’s remanded to northern prisons for the remainder of the war. Sidney Gidden, and a few others, evaded capture and were merged with survivors of the 19th infantry to form Hardy’s Arkansas Infantry Regiment. This unit went on the fight in the Little River and Red River campaigns.
Sidney and Mary Ellen moved their growing family to Texas in 1873. Their seventh child, Viola, would be the first born in Texas. The Giddens had a total of nine children; 5 boys and 4 girls. They owned and operated a large farm in the Kosse/Eutaw area.
On December 1, 1889, Ike married a local girl, Carrie Moss. Carrie was a granddaughter of Captain Anderson (Anson) Moss. Captain Moss led the Eutaw Blues, a cavalry unit during the Civil War. The Eutaw Blues also fought several battles during the Red River campaign. They gained a reputation as fierce fighters and were renowned for their persistence in engaging Union forces. Anson Moss later became a postmaster at Eutaw, Tx.
Ike and Carrie Gidden moved into the farmhouse after they purchased it in 1913. They continued to operate their farm for many years. Three children were born to the Giddens. Elba Florence, Eva Jewel, and Isaac Floyd. Isaac served in the U.S. Navy Reserves during WWII.
It is believed that the Giddens was the first family to enjoy indoor plumbing at the house. Part of the side porch area at the back of the house was enclosed to create the bathroom. Mr. Gidden passed away on January 8, 1937. Mrs. Gidden remained in the house until selling it to James Hunter in 1955. After this time, Mrs. Gidden moved to Houston with her daughter, where she passed away on April 9, 19623.
The house remained empty for several years until the 1960’s when it was rented to Mr. and Mrs. Young. At some point, after the Youngs moved on, the back porch; where the kitchen was located; collapsed. The early photograph shows the collapsed porch at the back of the house. Mark Tuton purchased the house and began restoration work in the 1980s.
The interior is in remarkable condition. The floors, walls, even most of the decorative molding remains intact. The house also boasts working pocket doors and a solid staircase to the second floor. Recently, remnants of the original wallpapers that were present in several rooms have been removed for framing and preservation. Work to replace siding damaged from the collapse of the porch and beadboard ceiling replacement will begin within the next few months.
Exciting things are in store for this beautiful building in the future. We hope to be able to make significant headway with the restoration efforts over the next year. While Kosse celebrates its sesquicentennial, the Hearn-Gidden-Hunter House will celebrate her 127th birthday.
Tours can be scheduled through our website www. oldhousekosse.org, or by emailing us at kossehsroots@ gmail.com. You can also visit during our annual open house events held during Kosse’s homecoming celebrations in June 2021. Donations to benefit the restoration efforts can be sent to Kosse Heritage Society, P.O. box 51, Kosse, Tx 76653.