My Genealogy Hound

G. C. Flippin, a prominent contractor and builder, was born in Smith County in 1822. He is a son of Abner A. and Eliza (Hobson) Flippin. The father was born in 1799 in Cumberland County, Va., where his wife was also born in 1806. After marriage in 1824 he came to Smith County where, in 1836, he was elected captain of State militia, serving in that capacity until 1845, when the law abolished the militia. He was an influential and highly respected man; his death occurred in 1860. His wife, who was the mother of thirteen children, died in 1877 in De Kalb County, Tenn. Our subject received a liberal education in the common schools of his native county. In 1849 he went to Nashville, where he was engaged as clerk in a city hotel, for about six years, after which he returned to Smith County, Seventeenth District, where he now resides and owns 50 acres of land. In 1856 he married Parthenia, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Heelmantoller, who was born in the county in 1828. To this union have been born Robert H., Candace P., Tenn F., Bettie G., John A. and Joseph C. At the outbreak of the war in December, 1861, Mr. Flippin entered the Confederate Army. He enlisted in Company C, Fifty-fifth Tennessee Infantry Volunteers. On December 25, he was promoted to regimental commissary, acting at same time for the brigade. He took part in the battle of Shiloh; he was honorably discharged in May, 1862. He is connected with the K. of H., and is one of the most esteemed, honorable and worthy citizens of the county. Mr. Flippin and wife are active and earnest members of the Missionary Baptist Church.