Ebenezer Franklin Bivins was born May 2, 1863 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. From a birthday book that belonged to Frank Bivins information seems to indicate that his father was Chancy (or Chaney) W. Bivins born June 13, 1833 in Pennsylvania, and that his mother was named Isabella, born October 25, 1834 in Ireland. It was noted in the book that Isabella was called "Gramma".

The story told by various Bivins family members is that when Betty was a young girl she was working at a logging camp in Tennessee as a cook. Frank Bivins, who was a timberman from Iowa, "followed the timber" and ended up in the same logging camp in Middle Tennessee, where he was cutting cross ties for the railroad. At some point the Indians that were in the area raided the camp, evidently looking for a cook, and stole Betty away. Frank went looking for her, found where the Indian camp was, and rescued her from her captors. They were married shorty thereafter in February of 1888.

Grandpa Bivins was a true woodsman! He followed the timber (as mentioned above), working in sawmills and also making items straight from the trees, such as the wooden parts for wagons, furniture, and cross ties for the railroads. He moved his family from Tennessee to northeast Arkansas, probably around 1892 or 1893 since the two oldest children, Isabell and Clarence, were born in Tennessee. While in the area of Paragould, Greene County, Arkansas, their daughter Mary Ellen was born in February of 1894. From there they moved to Yell County, near Danville, about 1902-03 for a couple of years. The family finally settled for life in Roland around 1908. Their home and large cypress barn, both of which are still standing today, were on 13 lots where they had their garden, orchard, chicken house, cow lots, and potato house.

In Roland Grandpa farmed some (although never owning more than a few acres land), but continued to work in the timber. It was said that he could make a wagon given only the metal parts. Even in the late 1930's people would come to him to make tongues or wheel spokes for their wagons. His tools were always sharp and ready for use. He did all of his setting of saws and sharpening of his tools. This was all done with what would now be termed as "primitive" equipment, simple and more often than not, handmade at the local blacksmith shop.

Grandpa was known far and wide for his ability to work wood with these primitive tools. During this period of time the work of cutting cross ties was all done by hand with only a broad ax! The saw, which was "hand powered", was used only to cut the lengths. Grandpa always would sell or send to market only his best cross ties. His grandson, Louis Brown, recalls working with him hauling cross ties to town (Roland), where the railroad had a tie yard and buyer. When Louis would go into the yard with a wagon load of ties the buyer would ask "Did Mr. Bivins make all of these?", to which the reply was "yes". The buyer would then simply count the ties and enter them as #1's without really inspecting them! The buyer told Louis that Mr. Bivins was truly an honest man and that he would only send in #1 ties!!

So many things have been said about Frank and Betty Bivins. They were wonderful, loving and caring people. They were poor, but didn't know they were poor! There was always food on the table and clothing for all the children. Most of their time was spent growing and preserving food, caring for a cow or two for milk and butter, and the chickens for food and eggs. The eggs were stored under the ice box on the porch, and most were traded at a local store for flour, sugar, spices and flavorings. They grew everything else they needed, including all kinds of vegetables. The orchard had apple, peach, plum, persimmon, and cherry trees. They raised their own beef, chickens, and hogs. Grandpa Bivins tried at one time to raise turkeys, but that just didn't work out as planned! They were hardworking and never complained. All the fruits and vegetables were either canned or dried for future use. They cured and canned their meat, and ground their own sausage. The only items that needed to be purchased were flour, sugar and salt.

Grandpa and Grandma Bivins income was made by selling eggs, milk, and other staples to the neighbors of the area, and also Grandpa's work in the timber. If Grandma saw that a family was "in need" she'd charge them considerably less than what she would charge others for the same items. Other income was provided to them from the United States Government by a monthly pension that was given them after their son, Clarence William, was killed in action on the Mexican Border at Nogalas, New Mexico, December 3, 1917, during World War I.

Frank and Betty Bivins had eight children during their nearly sixty years of marriage:

Isabell August 4, 1889 September 1934

Clarence William June 1891 December 3, 1917

Mary Ellen February 17, 1894 October 29, 1982

Sadie Katherine June 9, 1895 February 27, 1978

Stephen Allen February 13, 1897 June 1970

Ebenezer Franklin May 11, 1899 November 1976

Chester Louis August 5, 1900 October 1975

Ida Laura November 14, 1903 July 24, 1905


Ebenezer Franklin Bivins passed from this life on January 21, 1948 at 1:00 p.m., aged 84 years, 8 months, and 19 days. Cause of death: Acute Cholecystitis Senility. He was buried January 23, 1948 at Kennerly Cemetery, Roland, Arkansas.