RILEY R. GADBURY. A record of agricultural upbuilders of Blackford county would be incomplete were not due mention made of Riley R. Gadbury, of Licking township, who is the owner of a well cultivated property in section 28 and one of the progressive and public-spirited men of his community. As an aid to his intelligent operations in his pursuit of success, Mr. Gadbury has had agricultural inclinations inherited from a long line of ancestors who were tillers of the soil, and those have been supplemented by an appreciation of the value of modern methods and ideas. His life has been an active and busy one, with large interests to make demands upon his time and attention, but he has at all times found the inclination and leisure to serve his township and county in a public way, and at the present writing is representing his county for the second time in the capacity of commissioner.
Mr. Gadbury comes from old Virginia ancestry, his grandfather migrating from the Old Dominion state to Ohio about the year 1800 in young manhood and there being married. In 1833 he came to Indiana with his wife and several children, locating on 160 acres of Government land in section 32, Licking township, Blackford county, where he erected a log cabin. He was one of the sturdy pioneers of this part of the state, worked faithfully and industriously in clearing his land from the wilderness, replaced the original primitive log cabin with modern and substantial home, and became one of the solid and responsible men of his community. He died in 1868, while his wife passed away several years before, both having reached advanced years. They were faithful members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Gadbury was a democrat. Of their large family of children ,all grew up and were married, and all have now passed
away.
James A. Gadbury, father of Riley R. Gadbury, was the first of the children born in the Indiana home, and was one of the first white children born in Blackford county, his natal date being April 25, 1834. Growing to manhood on the old farm, he received his education in the primitive subscription schools, and when he reached years of maturity embarked in farming on his own account and became owner of a part of the homestead. There he became one of the successful farmers and stock raisers in the county, and was also widely known in public affairs as an active and influential democrat. His death occurred on his farm in May 1891. Mr. Gadbury was married in Blackford county, Indiana about the time of the Civil war, to Miss Mary Ann McVicker, who was born, reared and educated in this township, and spent her whole life here, dying on the old farm when forty-two years of age. She was the daughter of Aaron McVicker, who
came to Blackford county, Indiana, at an early day, from Gurnsey county, Ohio, becoming one of the earliest settlers here and developing a good farm from wild land. Both he and his wife reached advanced years and died in the faith of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Gadbury was a democrat in his political views. Of their family of seven children, five grew to maturity, and Riley R. was the third in order of birth. Emma married Henry Hawley and left three children at her death; Clara is the wife of Anderson D. Matauk, of Grant county, Indiana; Riley R. is the next in line; John A., a retired farmer of Licking township, living at Highways, married Bernice Nottingham, and has five sons; and Arthur E., a lawyer and member of the firm of George, Cromer & Long of Muncie, Indiana, married Anna Clark, and has four sons.
Riley R. Gadbury was educated in the public schools of Licking township and at the age of nineteen was
given charge of the homestead farm, continuing to be its manager until 1901, when he purchased 185 acres of land in section 28, in this township, located on the west side of Licking Creek, which waters and drains the property, the farm being equipped with closed or tile drainage. The land is under a good state of cultivation, and its improvements include a nine room farm house, with stone porch, which Mr. Gadbury practically rebuilt some five years ago, and a red barn, substantial in character and modern in architecture , 40x66 feet. His product include all the standard grains and cereals, and a large part of his attention is given to the breeding of fine livestock, including Short Horn cattle, Duroc swine, and a superior breed of sheep and horses. Mr. Gadbury is a thoroughly practical farmer, with an excellent knowledge of modern methods, which he practices scientifically in his operation. In his community, he is
known as a live, progressive and energetic man, assisting in all movements for the public welfare, and ever ready to give freely of his time and means in a good cause. Politically a democrat, he has served his county efficiently in the capacity of county commissioner and his service has at all times shown his high appreciation of the responsibilities of public service.
Mr. Gadbury was married in this township to Miss Almeda Atkinson, who was born on the farm on which she now resides, in 1868, and has spent her entire life here. She is the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (McCormick) Atkinson, the latter a daughter of Judge William McCormick of Grant county. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson were pioneers of Blackford county, where Mr. Atkinson first entered and improved 160 acres of land, and at one time owned a large property. Both he and his wife reached advanced years and died on the homestead, being prominent and highly respected people of their community. Five children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gadbury: Wirth B., who is attending the Hartford City High school; Dwight A., a graduate of the graded schools; C. Hope, aged ten years, attending the graded schools; Pauline, who is five years old; and June D., the baby. Mr. and Mrs. Gadbury are consistent members of the Methodist church.
BLACKFORD AND GRANT COUNTIES, INDIANA, EDITED BY BENJAMIN G. SHINN, Vols. 1 and 2, THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO AND NEW YORK, 1914 (pages 269-270)
Sumitted by Peggy Karol
A. K. GADBURY, a worthy representative of that old and honored pioneer, James A. Gadbury, Sr., was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 29, 1820. He was just fourteen years of age when the family came to Blackford County to build a home in the wilderness, and his youth was spent in assisting his father clear up their farm. He grew to manhood on the home place, and October 1, 1842, he married Miss Lucy Ann Townsend, a native of Steuben County, New York, and a daughter of Gilbert and Mary (Saxon) Townsend. Five children were born to this union, of whom three are still living-Lucy Ann, Henry T. and Lydia Jane. Gilbert and Joseph are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gadbury commenced housekeeping right in the woods of Licking Township, the country being at that time in such a wild state that Mr. Gadbury had to cut a road three miles through the forest before reaching his place. Here he built a rude log cabin which served them as a shelter for some time, when it was replaced by a log cabin built of poplar logs,
with walls two feet in thickness, this being at the time of its construction considered one of the best houses in the county. This in turn has seen its day, and the present residence is handsome and commodious, being one and a half stories in height, and built in the modern style, and the farm, once a dense forest, is now one of the finest in the county. It is divided into eleven fields, and it is underdrained by 600 rods of tile. and the entire surroundings show the care and thrift of the owner. In politics Mr. Gadbury is a Democrat, and has served Licking Township as justice of the peace, in which office he has made an honorable record. He has witnessed many changes which have taken place in the county, seeing the fine gravelled pikes of to-day supplant the Indian trail which in former years threaded its way here and there through the forests, and the wigwams give way to the log cabin of the early settler, which in their turn through
successive changes make room for the handsome residences of to-day.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 118 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO, 1887. (PGs. 893-894)
Sumitted by Peggy Karol
ALLEN K. GADBURY. The life record of the late Allen K. Gadbury is illustrative of the possible control over early limitations and of the wise utilization of ordinary opportunities. From young manhood until advanced age he was identified with the agricultural interests of Blackford county, and the substantial fortune which he accumulated was gained through hard and conscientious labor and business dealings of the most honorable character. Although nearly a decade has passed since his death, Mr. Gadbury is still remembered as a man of business integrity, public-spirited citizenship and loyalty to friendships, and a sketch of his life is eminently worthy of a place among the substantial men of the county.
Mr. Gadbury was born in Pennsylvania, January 20, 1820, and belonged to a family of good Pennsylvania Dutch stock which had resided in the Keystone state for many years. He was still a youth when he accompanied his parents to Indiana, the family locating in Blackford county, where both parents passed
away many years ago, their names having been forgotten. Allen K. Gadbury embarked upon a career of his own upon attaining his majority, and adopted the vocation of tilling the soil as a field to which to devote his activities. He chose a tract of land in Licking township, upon which he subsequently erected a log cabin, and to this Mr. Gadbury brought his wife, who had been Miss. Lucy Ann Townsend. She was born in the state of New York, August 2, 1818, and was a young girl when she accompanied her parents to Indiana, here growing up and receiving a public school education. In early life, Mrs. Gadbury was a Presbyterian, but later joined the Dunkard church, in the work of which she took an active part, being known far and wide for the goodness of her heart. When she passed away, August 21, 1892, she left behind a wide circle of sorrowing friends. Mr. Gadbury remained true to the faith of the Presbyterian church all of his life, and in political affairs supported the democratic party. A most thrifty and
industrious man, his well-directed labors resulted in the accumulation of three eighty-acre farms, all of which he put under a high state of cultivation, and upon each of which he erected a handsome set of substantial buildings. Among his fellow citizens Mr. Gadbury was known as a leader in local affairs, and for many years served as a justice of the peace, a capacity in which he decisions were rarely questioned so highly was he regarded. In his death, in 1905, Licking township lost a man who at all times had the best interests of the community and its people at heart.
Mr. and Mrs. Gadbury were the parents of five children: James G., who died on a farm in Blackford county after his marriage, leaving a family; Henry T., who died on his farm of eighty acres in Licking township, leaving a son and a daughter, both residents of the old home place; Mrs. Lacy Boots; Lydia J., who died after her marriage to Henry Orn, (transcriber notes this is probably OREN)
and left four children; and Joseph, who died at the age of nineteen years, while still attending school.
Mrs. Lacy Boots, the only surviving member of this family, was born on the old homestead place in Licking township, Blackford county, Indiana, August 14, 1851, and was reared at home and educated in the local public schools. At this time she is the owner of a finely cultivated and well equipped farm of eighty acres of valuable land, with a comfortable residence and commodious barn, and carries on general farming operations with a full measure of success, being an excellent business woman and the possessor of shrewdness and foresight. She was married to Israel Boots, and they have two sons: Henry Allen, born, reared and educated in Randolph county, Indiana, where his mother spent the greater part of her married life, married Grace Hudson, and is now engaged in farming in Licking township; and James Israel, born, reared and educated in Randolph county,
married Mary Baker, and has two sons,-Homer and Gale. Mrs. Boots has also reared an adopted daughter, Miss Alice M. Boots, now a well educated young lady of eighteen years.
BLACKFORD AND GRANT COUNTIES, INDIANA, EDITED BY BENJAMIN G. SHINN, Vols. 1 and 2, THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO AND NEW YORK, 1914 (pages 89 - 90)
Sumitted by Peggy Karol
SAMUEL L. GADBURY, of Hartford City, was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 6, 1832, a son of James A. and Elizabeth (Keeler) Gadbury. The father was born in Muskingum County, Virginia, and when a boy his parents settled in Ross County, where he was raised to manhood. He was there married to Elizabeth Keeler, who was a native of Ross County. In June, 1835, he started on foot for Indiana, and near the Blackford County line he heard that there was plenty of good land in this vicinity, and he with a man named Wilson came to the county, and made a selection of land in Licking Township. He then walked to Fort Wayne and entered three eighty acres tracts in Licking Township, at the land office. He then returned to Blackford County, and hired some hunters to clear a small space and put up a cabin on his land, after which he returned to Ohio on foot. In September, 1835, he brought his family to their new home in the wilderness, hiring a teamster
to drive over his family and their necessary household effects. They remained at the house of Joseph Wilson one night, and the following day, Wilson, known as the bee keeper, accompanied them to their land, but from his house to their land a road had to be cut a distance of three miles. On arriving at their destination they found their cabin has neither door, window nor fireplace, and these Mr. Gadbury set about to build. Game of all kinds was in abundance, especially deer, and Mr. Gadbury being a good shot he kept his family well supplied with meat. Often he has shot a deer while standing in the door of his cabin, and for the first few years spent in the county the principal diet of the family was venison and corn bread. Salt was hard to obtain in those days. Their marketing was done principally at Muncie, generally returning on horse back with a sack of corn meal and a pillow-slip of salt. Mr. Gadbury cleared up much of his land, and
made his home in this place until his death, which occurred March 6, 1865. His wife's death occurred in 1860. Both were broken down by the exposures and hardships they had endured in their pioneer home. In politics Mr. Gadbury was an old-line Whig. In his religious faith he was a Presbyterian, and he was one of the organizers of the Elizabeth Presbyterian church. Samuel L. Gadbury, whose name heads this sketch, in his third year was brought to Blackford County and he was reared amid the scenes and incidents of pioneer life. He made his home with his parents until his marriage, April 20, 1854, to Miss Rachel Hess. After their marriage they lived for three years in a little cabin on his father's homestead. He then rented land a mile and a half from the homestead, and there his wife died, August 10, 1857, leaving one child-Sarah Jane, now the wife of Barney Six, of Hartford City. After the death of his wife he returned to the homestead. He was
again married in 1878 (transcriber's note - this date must be 1858) to Miss Judah Marshall, a native of Kentucky, who died the same year of her marriage. To this union one child was born, named George W., who is now in the drygoods business in Dunkirk, Jay County. Mr. Gadbury was married to his present wife in 1860, her maiden name being Mary J. Stahl, a daughter of Jacob Stahl, one of the early settlers of this county. Of the five children born to this union three are deceased-Jonathan W., died at Fort Scott, Kansas, November 22, 1884, aged two years, and two who died in infancy unnamed. Those living are Eleanor, wife of Reuben Reasoner, a drygoods merchant of Dunkirk, and Samuel Logan who is also in business at Dunkirk. In 1872, Mr. Gadbury bought the old Jacob Stahl farm, on the outskirts of Hartford City, to which he removed and the following year erected the present substantial brick residence on the place. At that date
there were twenty-one lots in this tract inside the town limits, and these are known as Gadbury's addition. His land first consisted of 159 acres, and he now had 134 acres of valuable land in and immediately adjoining Hartford City. Mr. Gadbury was a soldier in the late war, enlisting October 10, 1864, in Company K, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, reached the front at Chattanooga, and was in the engagement there in the Fourth Corps. He also participated in the battle of Nashville, after which he went with his command to Texas and remained there on duty until after the close of the war. He then went with his regiment to New Orleans, where he was discharged November 17, 1865. On his return from the army he located at Hartford City, where he has since made his home. He has been a resident of Blackford County for more than a half century, and has witnessed almost all the material progress that has been made in the county from the time it was an
almost unbroken wilderness. Politically Mr. Gadbury is a democrat. In 1868 he was elected county sheriff, and served in this capacity one term at that time. In 1880 he was again elected to the same office, and has served as county sheriff in all eight years. He was a member of the Democratic Central Committee for two campaigns, those of 1860 and 1868. He is a member of the Jacob Stahl Post, No. 227, G. A. R.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 118 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO, 1887. (PGs. 889-890)
Sumitted by Peggy Karol
SAMUEL L. GADBURY
The subject of this sketch, a retired farmer and ex-sheriff of Blackford county, Is the son of James A. and Isabelle (Kellough) Gadbury, and was born July 6, 1832 in Ross county, Ohio. In 1834, when but two years of age, he was brought by his parents to Blackford county and grew to manhood on the home farm in Lincoln township, a part of the place being now included in the county poor farm. He early became inured to hard labor and in the stern school of experience received the principal part of his education. His opportunities for obtaining knowledge of books were limited to a few months' attendance in a country school taught in the vicinity of his father's farm, but what he lacked in opportunity he made up in after years by close observation and contact with his fellow men in the practical affairs of life. He chose agriculture as a vocation and until retiring from labor pursued the same with success that in due time he
succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competence, which placed himself and his family in a position of independence. In 1868 he was elected sheriff of Blackford county, which position he filled to the satisfaction of the public for a period of four years, and then resumed farming until his retirement there from and removal to Hartford City in 1873.
In October, 1864 Mr. Gadbury enlisted in Company K, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry with which he served until discharged. November 17 of the following year, participating meantime in the battle of Nashville and the various operations in the vicinity of that city during a very trying period of the war. After being mustered out of the army he returned home and ever since that time he has been actively interested in the development and welfare of the county.
Mr. Gadbury has been three time married. His first wife, to whom he was united April 28, 1853, was Rebecca Hess, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Hess) Hess,
who bore him two children: Sarah J., born March 15, 1855, and Joseph, born 17th day of September 1857, and dying weeks later. The mother of these children was called to her final rest September 28, 1857 and subsequently Mr. Gadbury entered into the marriage relation with Julia, daughter of John and Lucy (Bell) Marshall, the issue of which was one child, a son, George Gadbury, of whom mention will be made in these pages. The Marshalls were among the early pioneers of Blackford county, settling here when there.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMIORS OF BLACKFORD COUNTY, IND.; EDITED BY BENJAMIN G. SHINN; THE BOWEN PUBLISHING COMPANY. CHICAGO, 1900. (PGs. 461-463)
Sumitted by Peggy Karol
JOHN A. NEWBAUER, proprietor of the city meat market and a prominent business man of Hartford City, was born in Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, October 17, 1847, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Newbauer. He was reared on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age, and then learned his present trade, which he worked at for two years. In 1870 he engaged in contracting at Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, where he was very successful, remaining there two years. In 1870 he engaged in contracting at Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, where he was very successful, remaining there two years. In 1873 he came to Hartford City and established his present business, being the pioneer meat market of the place. He keeps on hand both fresh and salted meats of the best quality, which he serves to his customers in good style, and everything about the place is clean and neat. By his strict attention to the wants of his customers, accommodating manners and reasonable prices he has established a good business, his
annual sales amounting to about $12,000. He also deals largely in lime and stucco, making a specialty of Huntington lime and all kinds of building material. He is the leading ice dealer in Hartford City, selling 300 tons per annum, the ice being procured from a pond of pure spring water. Besides his business Mr. Newbauer owns three houses and lots in Hartford City and a tract of very valuable land adjoining the town. He was married December 23, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Bolner, of Blackford County, and they are the parents of three children, whose names are -Altha, George and Robert. Politically Mr. Newbauer is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the city council. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to Hartford City Lodge No. 262, of Hartford City.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company 1887 - Page 785-786
Sumitted by Dusti
JAMES A. McVICKER, a worthy representative of an old pioneer family, was born on the farm where he still resides, in Licking Township, Blackford County, Indiana, the date of his birth being September 27, 1840. His father, Aaron McVicker was born in Virginia, but reared to manhood in Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was married to Elizabeth Bruner, who was also a native of Virginia, but reared in Guernsey County, Ohio. In 1836 they left Ohio by team for Indiana, settling in what is now Licking Township, Blackford County, on the Hart place, just a mile from the present home of our subject. The father cleared a small space and erected a round-pole cabin on the land he entered, building it without floor or door, a bed-quilt being used for the latter. Here they experienced all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, going long distances to mill, etc. Wolves were numerous, and were a source of great annoyance to the early settler. Mrs. McVicker was left
alone when her husband went to mill, and with no more substantial door than the cabin afforded there was considerable reason for her being afraid of these animals. Some of all kinds was plentiful, and the trusty rifle of Mr. McVicker furnished the family with meat, such as deer and other game, for several years after their settlement here. Both parents died on the old homestead, the father March 18, 1861, and the mother in 1871. Both were members of the Old School Baptist church, Mr. McVicker acting as secretary for the congregation for many years. In politics he was a life-long democrat. James A., our subject, was reared at his birth-place, and received his education in the old McVicker school-house. His father dying just before the commencement of the war, and his eldest brother going into the army at the first call for troops, the care of his mother and the younger members of the family devolved upon him. He made his home with his mother until twenty-four
years of age, when he was married, February 26, 1863, to Sarah Cunningham. She was born in Licking Township, this county, a daughter of Adam and Mary(Denny) Cunningham, who are natives of Virginia, both coming to Blackford county with their parents before their marriage. They lived in the county until their death. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McVicker, of whom eight are living - Aaron, Leona, Mary Levina, Julia Ann, George Merritt, Ella, Elizabeth Alice, Janetta and Ida. Mr. McVicker always lived on the old homestead, and has witnessed all the material changes which have taken place in the county. After his marriage he settled in a hewed-log house on the west end of the place, though still continued to manage the farm. In the fall of 1882, he settled in his present comfortable residence, which is beautifully situated, commanding a view of the surrounding country. He has 120 acres of fine land, the greater part of his farm being cleared and under
cultivation. In 1865, he began to devote some attention to fish culture, constructing a fine fish-pond which he stocked with thirty German carp, and now has a great number of fish, although only six of the original number remain. In politics he affiliates with the National party. Both he and his wife are members of the German Baptist church.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 118 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO, 1887. (Pgs. 884-885)
Submitted by Peggy Karol