Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

Gideon

[gid-ee-uhn]

Gideon, or Jerubbaal, in the Bible, a 12th-century Israelite warrior of the tribe of Mannasseh, and one of the greater judges of Israel. The Book of Judges relates that Gideon was a strong opponent of the Baal cult. He defeated the Midianite oppressors and appeased the rival Ephraimites, thus securing a generation of peace for Israel. His decisive action gave rise to the phrase "Day of Midian," which came to denote Israelite victory over her enemies. Gideon refused to institute an hereditary monarchy in Israel because of his belief that God was the king of Israel.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Gideon

Welles, Gideon, 1802-78, American statesman, b. Glastonbury, Conn. He was (1826-36) editor and part owner of the Hartford Times, one of the first New England papers to support Andrew Jackson. An organizer of the Jacksonian forces in Connecticut, Welles served in the state legislature (1827-35). He was three times elected state comptroller of public accounts and was postmaster of Hartford. He was also chief of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing for the U.S. navy (1846-49). Leaving the Democratic party on the slavery issue, he helped found (1856) the Hartford Evening Press, a Republican paper, and in 1861 became Secretary of the Navy in Abraham Lincoln's cabinet. Incorruptible, efficient, and something of a curmudgeon, Welles built the powerful Union navy of the Civil War. The construction of the Monitor and the other ironclads resulted largely from his support, and the victorious admirals David C. Farragut and David D. Porter were men of his choice. One of the first to recognize Lincoln's essential greatness, he thoroughly disliked some of his cabinet colleagues, notably William H. Seward and Edwin M. Stanton. Welles was a moderate who favored Lincoln's Reconstruction plan and, retaining his post under Andrew Johnson, stood by the President in his struggle with the radical Republicans in Congress. He returned to the Democratic party in 1868. Welles wrote Lincoln and Seward (1874), and his salty diary (ed. by H. K. Beale, 3 vol., 1960) is of immense value to the historian.

See biographies by R. S. West, Jr. (1943) and J. Niven (1973).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Welles, Gideon

(born July 1, 1802, Glastonbury, Conn., U.S.—died Feb. 11, 1878, Hartford, Conn.) U.S. politician. Cofounder and editor the Hartford Times (1826–36), he founded one of the first Republican Party newspapers in New England, the Hartford Evening Press (1856). In 1861 he was appointed secretary of the navy by Pres. Abraham Lincoln, and in the American Civil War he built a large Union navy from a few ships, supported development of the ironclads, and helped form the strategic naval blockade. His Diary of Gideon Welles (published 1911) contains valuable insights into the Civil War.

Learn more about Welles, Gideon with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Gideon Welles

Learn more about Welles, Gideon with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Gideon

Judge and hero of ancient Israel, whose deeds are described in the Old Testament Book of Judges. The book contains two versions of Gideon's story. In one account, he led his tribe of Manasseh in a victorious campaign against the Midianites, then fashioned an idolatrous image from the booty and led Israel into immorality. In another version, he replaced worship of the local deity, Baal, with that of Yahweh (the God of Israel), and the power of Yahweh enabled his tribe to destroy the Midianites.

Learn more about Gideon with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Gideon, Missouri

Gideon is a city in New Madrid County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,113 at the 2000 census.

History

The first hotel was built in Gideon in 1900, the first store was opened in 1901, the first doctor's office and first school were opened in 1903, and the first post office was opened in 1904.

From 1931 to 1986, Gideon was the home of the Gideon Box Plant, which employed as many as 250 people. It produced more beverage cases than any other factory in the United States. These boxes were shipped to every state in the United States, Cuba, and Central and South America. During World War II the box factory, under government contract, manufactured tent pins and ammunition boxes. The factory was the only factory in the U.S. engaged in the making of tent pins.

Jack Campbell lived in Gideon, Missouri. He was a gospel song writer and musician, having his song "I Know A Man Who Can" performed by George Jones. Jack Campbell died on February 12, 2007 at his home in Gideon. He was 79. He left behind his furniture store on Main Street, Campbell's Furniture, to his wife, Charlene Campbell.

Geography

Gideon is located at (36.454799, -89.918691).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,113 people, 430 households, and 288 families residing in the city. The population density was 618.6 people per square mile (238.7/km²). There were 465 housing units at an average density of 258.4/sq mi (99.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.56% White, 0.09% Native American, 0.72% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population.

There were 430 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,208, and the median income for a family was $31,094. Males had a median income of $26,406 versus $19,821 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,556. About 21.5% of families and 25.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under age 18 and 27.1% of those age 65 or over.

Gideon has a public school system which has 2 school facilities--Gideon Elementary and Gideon High School. The mascot for the Gideon School are the Bulldogs.