Geo Gideon came to Kentucky in early 1811 because son George was born inVirginia in April, 1810 and the story about their coming to Kentuckyindicated that they came in the spring and daughter Elizabeth was born in1811 in Kentucky. His immediate neighbors were John Ingram in IslandBranch, Isaac Whitaker in Whitaker Branch,
He had 8 slaves in 1840.
George Gideon was the first of the Ison Clan to come into EasternKentucky. Reportedly, he came in on a scouting trip with William Cornettto check the countryside out to see if it would make good farm countryand I would think that the fishing and hunting and timber availabilityprobably figured into the quest as well. On their trip, they camped onwhat is now Leatherwood Creek in Perry County and the following morningthey split up in order to see a larger area. When Gideon had gone ashort way from their camp, he ran across a campsite with a fire pit whichwas still warm and a vision of being scalped flashed before his mind'seye. He carefully scanned the surrounding area and found a clump ofbrush to hide in and watchfully waited and worried. Night fall found himnervously waiting around camp for William to return. His anxiety hadbrought him to the point of abandoning the wait and leaving when Williamcame quietly into camp. After a few strained minutes, George confessedthat he was about to leave and told William what had happened. Williamdidn't do any chiding for he had his own tale to tell. He had gone in adifferent direction than George and shortly after leaving camp heobserved an Indian and he had turned to run and looking over his shoulderhe saw the Indian had started running in the other direction. Williamran for a good while before he found a place to hide for he figured thatthere were other Indians and that they would come looking for him. Heremained in hiding until twilight had set in before heading back to campto look for George fully expecting that he might find him in a bad way.They ate cold food and slept without a fire and were on the move beforedaylight the next morning. Even though they had encountered an Indian,they liked the countryside enough that the late winter or early spring of1811 they brought their families and goods to settle. William settled atCornettsville and George Gideon settled at the mouth of Big Branch onLinefork Creek, in present day Letcher County. The two pioneers'brothers, Samuel and Isaac, came to live near them much later. They musthave found what they were looking for because, unlike some of thepioneers, they remained and were planted in the land which they settledand they have been almost as prolific as the Israelites.
Ann was listed by herself in 1850 census and had 1200 acres of land. Shewas illiterate.