Click here to
return to the leighlarson.com Home Page.
Click
here to go the Genealogy Page.
Click
here to go to the Canadian Abbey and Connected Families Census Page.
Abner Nathaniel
Abbey was born
August 9, 1849, in Clarke Twp., Newcastle Dist., Durham Co., Canada West, and died September 26,
1929, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 80. Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery,
City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. He is the son of
Nathaniel Abner
Abbey Jr. of probably the southern part of the original Dutchess Co., NY (now
Putnam Co., NY after 1812), and Mary Louisa "Polly" Nugent of County Cavan,
Ireland.
Emma
Eurena Gilby
was born January 10, 1848, in Saint John Parish,
City of York, Micklegate, York Co., England, was Baptized February
6, 1848, at Saint Mary Bishophill Senior, York, York County, England, and died July 19, 1928, in Gilby
Twp., Grand
Forks Co., ND, at
age 80.
Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
She
is
the daughter of John Gilby of Kirton, Lincoln
County, England, and Alisemon Elizabeth
"Alise" Straw of the City of Lincoln, Lincoln County, England.
Abner
Nathaniel Abbey and
Emma
Eurena Gilby were married
July 29, 1884, in Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory.
Abner
Nathaniel Abbey and
Emma
Eurena (Gilby) Abbey had two children:
- Alisemon Emily Abbey:
Born September 4, 1885,
in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory; Died October 4, 1973, in King Co., WA (age 88).
Buried in Mountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, Pierce Co., WA. Married
October 11, 1916, in
Grand Forks Co., ND, to Adam Walker "Add" Taylor: Born August 15, 1882, in
Lisbon Twp., Saint Lawrence Co., NY;
Died September 23, 1956, in Tacoma, Pierce Co., WA (age 74). Buried in
Mountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, Pierce Co., WA.
- Charles Gilby Abbey:
Born September 20, 1887, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory; Died June 15, 1964,
in Drayton, Mekinock
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND (age 76). Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Married December 24, 1917,
in the Peoples' country home in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, to Pearl Georgina Peoples:
Born
September 20, 1889, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND; Died December 3, 1959, in
San Diego, San Diego Co., CA (age 70). Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City
of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
TIMELINE
Ontario was known as: "Upper Canada" from
December
26, 1791, to February 10, 1841;
"Canada West" from February 10, 1841, to July
1, 1867; and
"Ontario" after July 1, 1867.
It is surmised that Nathaniel
Abner Abbey Sr. (age 22), and his wife Mary "Polly" (Winter) Abbey (age 21), and
their two children,
Rosana Abbey (about age 2), and Isaac Phineas Abbey (about age 1),
came to Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Upper Canada, in 1797. They were some of the pioneering settlers of Durham Co., Upper
Canada. The Abbey
ancestry can be connected through their father Isaac Abbey Jr. all the way back to John Abbey
Sr., born about 1587 in West Halton, Lincolnshire, England. His son, John Abbey
Jr. of Norwich, Norfolk Co., England, emigrated to the United States about
1635 and married Mary Loring in 1635 at Wenham, Essex Co., MA.
It is also surmised that Nathaniel
Abner Abbey Sr.'s brother, Isaac Abbey III (age 31), and his wife Anne (King) Abbey
(age 30), his unmarried sister, Dorcas
Potts Abbey (age 17), and their infant nephew,
Clement Edmond Neff Sr. (age age 5),
came to Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Upper Canada, about 1802.
Abner Nathaniel Abbey and Emma (Gilby) Abbey are buried in Prairie Home
Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Charles and Pearl
Abbey are also buried there. Pearl's mother, Alisemon "Alise" Gilby, along with
her second husband, James Gilby, are also buried there. John Gilby, Jr., is also
buried there.
Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making this image available.
Emma Eurena Gilby
was born January 9, 1848, in St. John Parish,
City of York, Micklegate,
York County, England.
Nathaniel Abner Abbey died March, 1849, in Clarke Twp., Durham Co., Canada West at about age
52.
Abner Nathaniel Abbey was born August 9, 1849,
in Clarke Twp., Newcastle Dist., Durham Co., Canada West.
After the death of Abner's father in 1849 in
Canada, Abner's mother, Mary (Nugent) Abbey, became a resident of Wisconsin,
locating in Sheboygan Co. with her children, where she purchased a claim. She
made her home on the farm for
two years.
In 1851, Abner's widowed mother, Mary (Nugent)
Abbey, sold her Sheboygan Co., WI, land interests to her dead husband's brother,
Orrin Abbey, and returned to Canada with her children, Isaac, Sarah, Elizabeth,
Orrin, Frances and Abner (except
for Wellington who went to Fond du Lac Co., WI), where she spent the remainder of her days. She died at her home in
Millbrook, Ontario, Canada in 1888, and is buried beside her husband.
The 1851 UK Census as of March 30, 1851
shows John Gilby (age 36) born in Kirton, County Lincolnshire, England is a
Grocer Master employing one man and living at 6 New Bridge Street, St. John
Parish, City of York, Micklegate, County Yorkshire, England. Living with him is
his wife Elizaman Gilby (age 34) born in the City of Lincoln. Also living there
are their children, all born in York: Emily Gilby (age 6); James Gilby (age 5);
Emma Gilby (age 3); and John Straw Gilby (age 1). John's widowed father also
lives there: Jas. Gilby, Sen., (age 70) a Retired Farmer born in Willsby, County
Lincolnshire, England. The assistant grocer and two house servants also live
there.
In 1855, John Gilby was still listed as
a Grocer at 6 New Bridge Street.
Abner Abbey grew up and was educated in Canada.
In April 1870, when he was twenty years old,
Abner emigrated from Canada
through Charlotte, NY, (very near Rochester, NY) to Fond du Lac Co., WI, and resided there for two years.
Abner Abbey's
Citizenship Papers. Charlotte, NY, is located along the south shore of Lake
Ontario, and appears now to almost be incorporated into the City of Rochester,
NY, which is just to the south of Charlotte.
Leigh Larson note: Charles Sorell, one of
those listed in 1892, died February 23, 1907. Buried in Memorial Park Cemetery,
Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND.
The 1870 U. S. Census taken on June
6, 1870, shows Abner Aby (age 19) born in Canada, is a Farm Laborer, and is living in Byron
Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. He is living in the Alfred Bliss household, a farmer.
He is only three houses away from his brothers Wellington and Orrin.
Abner Abbey applied for U.S.
citizenship on August 27, 1872, in Fond du Lac Co., WI.
About 1872, Abner visited Montana, and then spent
some time in the southern states where he drove a stagecoach.
In 1873, Abner came to Dakota
Territory and began an exciting adventure when he joined the government service. For two
years he drove a mule train, having one train of the four hundred and six mule
trains plying between Fort Abercrombie, south of Fargo, to Fort Lincoln, near
Bismarck.
The following year he was with the party that
surveyed the Canadian boundary.
In 1880, Abner came
to Grand Forks Co., ND, and that year filed a pre-emption claim four
miles southeast of the present site of Gilby.
The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 29, 1880,
shows A. Abby (age 30) born in Canada to Michigan-born parents is an unmarried
Teamster Servant to the Canadian-born Sheriff, Richmond Fadden, and is living in a boarding house in
Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory.
Abner
Nathaniel Abbey and Emma Gilby were married
July 29, 1884, in Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory.
Alisemon Emily
Abbey was born September 4, 1885,
Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory.
The 1885 North Dakota Territorial
Census shows Abner Abbey (age 34) born in Canada, is a Farmer living in Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory. Living with him is wife Emma Abbey (age 27) born in
Canada. Abner Abbey (age 38) born in Ontario, Canada is also listed as a Farmer
in Walsh Co., Dakota Territory.
Charles Gilby "Charley" Abbey was born
September 20, 1887, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory.
In 1888, Abner's mother, Mary
(Nugent) Abbey, died at her home in Millbrook, Ontario, Canada, and is buried
there beside her husband, Nathaniel Abner Abbey.
Abner Abbey applied for U.S.
citizenship on March 28, 1888, in Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory. First Papers.
The Abner Abbey family,
Grand Forks Co., ND, about 1890.
North Dakota gained statehood in 1889.
In 1889, Abner Abbey removed
to section 27, where he resided continuously since.
Abner Abbey became a U.S. citizen
on January 28, 1892, in Grand Forks Co., ND.
The 1893 Plat Map for
Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, shows Abner Abbey owns 320 Acres of land.
George Gilby own 160 Acres of Land adjacent to Abner Abbey. and James Gilby owns
320 Acres of Land adjacent to Abner Abbey. All of these plots are located south
west of the city of Gilby.
The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 27, 1900,
shows Abner
Abbey (age 50) born August, 1849, in Canada to Pennsylvania and Ireland-born
parents, and having emigrated in 1870, and a
Naturalized citizen, is a married Farmer, and who owns his farm with a mortgage,
and is living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
Living with him are: his wife of 16 years, Emma Abbey (age 52) born June, 1848, in England
to England-born parents, and having emigrated in 1882, who is Keeping House; his
daughter, Aliecmon
Abbey
(age 14) born September, 1885, North Dakota to English Canada and England-born
parents; his son, Charles Abbey (age 12) born September, 1887, North Dakota to
English Canada and England-born parents; his married Uncle, James Gilby (age 80) born May, 1820,
in England to England-born parents, having emigrated in 1852 and a Naturalized
Citizen; his married Mother, Alicemon Gilby (age 84) born April, 1816, in England to
England-born
parents, and having emigrated in 1853, with all four of the children born to her
still alive; and One Servant and two Boarders also live in the household.
Compendium of history and biography of
North Dakota - containing a history of North Dakota...also a compendium of
biography of North Dakota. 1900, Ogle Co., Pages 1370 - 1371.
ABNER ABBEY.
Among the pioneers of North
Dakota the subject of this article deserves mention in any work purporting to be
a history of the progress and development of the state, and especially of Grand
Forks county. He became one of the first settlers of Gilby township, on section
24, in 1880. In 1889 he removed to section 27, where he has resided continuously
since. Mr. Abbey was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, August 10, 1849.
His parents were Abner and Mary (Nugent) Abbey, the former being a Pennsylvanian
by birth, and the latter a native of the north of Ireland. The father moved to
Canada, where he spent the last years of his life. Five sons and two daughters
were born of this union, of whom four sons and one daughter are now living,
their various places of residence being Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska
and North Dakota. Four sons served in Wisconsin and Minnesota regiments during
the Civil war. one son dying at Mobile from sickness contracted from exposure.
Abner Abbey was reared and educated in Canada, and in 1870 removed to Fond du
Lac county, Wisconsin, and resided for two years in that state. He then visited
Montana and spent some time in the southern states. Finally, in 1880. he came to
Grand Forks county. North Dakota, and during the same year filed a pre-emption
claim to a portion of section 24, Gilby township. He has made many and valuable
improvements on section 27, and is now the owner of one and a half sections of
the best and most valuable lands in the county. His buildings are of the most
modern and convenient pattern, and his home is one of the most comfortable and
commodious of farm properties in North Dakota. Mr. Abbey was married, in 1884,
in Grand Forks, to Miss Emma Gilby. Mrs. Abbey is a native of England, her
parents, John and Alisemon (Straw) Gilby, having emigrated from that country to
Canada m 1853. They had three sons and one daughter, Mrs. Abbey. Two of the
sons, James and George, settled m Grand Forks county in 1879, in the township
that has been named for them. Mr. and Mrs. Abbey have two children, Alisemon E.
and Charles G., both of whom are living. A portrait of Abner Abbey and his
excellent wife is contained in these pages. In political faith Air. Abbey is a
Republican. He has been active. in public affairs of a local nature and has
filled various local offices. He assisted in the organization of the township of
Gilby, and has been an influential citizen since the settlement of the county.
He has been prosperous and successful, gaining his present valuable holdings by
industry and good business judgment, as he came to North Dakota with nothing and
began at the bottom.
Emma Eurena (Gilby) Abbey and Abner Nathaniel Abbey, 1900.
James
Gilby Jr. died September 7, 1907, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 86.
Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
On June 1, 1908, Abner and Emma purchased a house in the City of Gilby,
Grand Forks Co., ND.
The entire Abner Abbey family, with Alisemon (Straw) (Gilby)
Gilby, 1909
Old picture of
downtown Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND.
Alisemon Elizabeth
"Alise" (Straw) (Gilby) Gilby died March 2,
1910, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 94.
The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 16, 1910,
shows Abner Abby (age 60) born in Canada to Pennsylvania and Ireland-born parents,
and having emigrated in 1870, and a Naturalized Citizen, and in his 1st
marriage, and who owns his Farm free of a mortgage, is a
married Farmer (own income), and is living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
Living with him are: his wife of 26 years, Emma Abby (age 62) born in England to
England-born parents, and in her 1st marriage, and having emigrated in 1882, with both of the children
born to her still alive; and his unmarried daughter, Alisemon
E. Abby (age 24) born in North Dakota to Canada and England-born parents.
The 1915 North Dakota State Census taken on
April 1, 1915, shows Abner Abby (age 65) born in United States, is living in
Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Living with him are: Emma Abby (age 66) born in
United States; and Elisman Abby (age 29) born in United States.
The Fargo Forum, Fargo, ND, May 13,
1918
North Dakota Builders
By Rev. Eben E. Saunders, Fargo, N. D.
ABNER ABBEY, 1880, Grand Forks county,
assisted in organization of Gilby township. In 1884, married Miss Emma Gilby,
sister of James and John Gilby, who came from Canada in 187X, in whose honor
township and village were named.
Emma
Eurena (Gilby) Abbey reading a book.
The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 17,
1920, shows Avner Abby (age 70) born in Canada to Pennsylvania and English-born
parents is a Rental Farmer owning his home living in Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks
Co., ND. Living with him is his wife, Emma Abby (age 71) born in England to
English-born parents. Both are naturalized citizens.
The Grand Forks Herald,
Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND, Saturday, March 13, 1920
GILBY - Where Diversified
Farming Spells Wealth
The Abbey Dairy.
Charles Abbey, the proprietor of the Abbey
Dairy Farm, is himself a North Dakota product. His father, Abner Abbey, is one
of the most interesting of the remaining pioneers. He came to the territory of
Dakota in 1873 from near Port Hope, Ontario. For two years he drove a mule team
in the government service, having one of the train of 406 mule teams plying
between Fort Ambercrombie, fifteen miles south of Fargo, to Fort Lincoln, near
Bismarck. The main line of the Northern Pacific railway was being surveyed.
Custer was in command of the cavalry that protected the great supply train of
prairie schooners and herds of cattle. Mr. Abbey has a wealth of interesting
stories to tell about those wild days. His recollections of General Custer, and
of the many skirmishes with the Indians, and the attacks of the buffalo on the
cattle, would make a thrilling chapter. The next year Mr. Abbey was in the party
that surveyed the Canadian boundary. In 1880 he came to what is now Gilby, and
took a homestead near Voss, which he held for several years. Then he filed on a
pre-emption four miles southeast of the present townsite of Gilby, and he has
lived there ever since, on the farm which his son Charles Abbey now operates.
This land was bought from the Gilby brothers, George and James. The Gilby
brothers came from Wisconsin in 1879. The first post office was on John Gilby's
land, joining the present Abbey farm, and with it the township was named for
John Gilby, the first postmaster. In '82, Emma Gilby came out to Dakota to keep
house for her brothers. Here she met Abner Abbey, and a romance began, the light
of which still shines from their faces as they recount the history of the early
days. Mr. and Mrs. Abbey have left the arduous work of the farm to the younger
generation, and are now comfortably situated in town.
Pasteurized Milk.
During the past five years, Charles Abbey
has gone extensively into the dairying business. He has a herd of about one
hundred cattle, good grades and purebred Holsteins. This herd includes some of
the finest milch cows in the northwest. With the most up-to-date ideas in the
marketing as well as in the handling of his products, Mr. Abbey has established
a large milk business in Grand Forks. The quality of the milk sold by the Abbey
Milk company is very high. It is the only pasteurized milk sold in the city, and
the volume of business, which is enormous, attests the appreciation of this
wholesome product. The pasteurization of the milk is a heating and cooling
process which takes nothing from the milk except any possible germs which it may
contain, and adds nothing to it, save an absolute guarantee of purity. Cream,
whipping cream, skimmed milk and buttermilk are also obtainable from this
excellent dairy. The demand for the Abbey products exceeds the supply, and Mr.
Abbey plans to make a large ideal plant in the city for the handling of the
increasing production.
An Ideal Dairy Farm.
The dairy farm is itself an ideal one.
About 1,700 acres of land are operated by Mr. Abbey. This land includes spacious
pastures, well shaded with trees and with a good supply of pure water for the
cattle. In winter the stock are watered from a deep well. There is a complete
set of farm buildings. There are two houses. A new modern barn, a picture of
which appears with this article, greatly facilitates the expert work of caring
for the herd. Everything about the place is done by electricity. The best model
of milking machine is used, operated by electricity. A complete set of power
driven machine of the milk throughout the entire process of producing it and its
products for market. Meantime, while Mr. Abbey is making a fine thing of his
dairy business, the land is increasing daily in value. The crops used for feed
for the cattle are returning large quantities of nitrates to the soil. Sweet
clover, alfalfa, corn and hay are raised extensively. Sedan grass is largely
cultivated by Mr. Abbey. His grain yields are being greatly increased by his
rotation of wheat, oats and barley with his leguminous crops. Mr. Abbey has his
own threshing machine. F. J. Kinsala is employed in the dairying with Mr. Abbey.
The home of Abner Nathaniel Abbey and Emma (Gilby) Abbey,
after they moved to Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND. Photo taken by George Hardy, son
of Emily and George Hardy, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when visiting, about 1920.
The 1925 North Dakota State Census taken on
April 1, 1925, shows Abner Abbey (age 76) born in a Foreign Country is living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks
Co., ND. Living with him is Emma Abbey (age 77) born in a Foreign Country. The
A. W. Taylor family lives adjacent to them.
The 1925 North Dakota State Census taken on
April 1, 1925, shows A. W. Taylor (age 42) is living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks
Co., ND. Living with him are: Alisemon Taylor (age 39),
Robert Taylor (age 8); Dorthy Tayor (age 4); and Jean Taylor (age 1). The Abner
Abbey family lives adjacent to them.
Emma Eurena (Gilby) Abbey died July 19, 1928, in Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 80.
Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
Emma Eurena (Gilby) Abbey Death Record.
The Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck,
Grand Forks Co., ND, Saturday, July 21, 1928
MRS. ABNER ABBEY FUNERAL SERVICE IN GILBY
TODAY
Funeral services for Mrs. Abner Abbey, aged 80, who died Thursday at her home in
Gilby, will be held in Gilby this afternoon. Mrs. Abbey, who was born at York,
England, and moved to Canada in 1858 and resided there until moving to Gilby
township in 1884. Besides her husband, the survivors include a son, Charles
Abbey and a daughter, Mrs. A. Taylor.
Abner Nathaniel
Abbey died September 26,
1929, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 80.
Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
Abner Nathaniel Abbey Death Record.
The Bismarck Tribune,
Bismarck, Grand Forks Co., ND, Saturday, July 21, 1928
GILBY PIONEER DEAD
Gilby, N. D., Sept. 27. Abner
Abbey, 80, one of the earliest pioneers of this community, died Thursday night.
Funeral services will be held here Sunday.
Grand Forks County Heritage Book, A
History of Rural Grand Forks County,
Grand Forks County Heritage Book Committee, 1976
ABBEY, ABNER
Sp. EMMA GILBY
Abner Abbey was
born in the province of Ontario, Canada on August 9, 1849. His parents were
Abner and Mary (Nugent) Abbey, the former being a Pennsylvanian by birth and the
latter a native of the north of Ireland. The father moved to Canada where he
spent the last years of his life. Five sons and two daughters were born of this
union, and they resided in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska and North
Dakota. Four sons served in Wisconsin and Minnesota regiments during the Civil
War, one son dying at Mobile from an illness contracted from exposure.
Abner Abbey grew up
and was educated in Canada. When he was twenty-one he moved to Fond du Lac
county in Wisconsin and resided there for two years. He then visited Montana and
spent some time in the southern states where he drove a stagecoach.
In 1873, Abner came
to the territory of Dakota and began an exciting adventure when he joined the
government service. For two years he drove a mule train, having one train of the
four hundred and six mule trains plying between Fort Abercrombie, south of Fargo
to Fort Lincoln near Bismarck. The main line of the Northern Pacific Railway was
being surveyed. General George A. Custer was in command of the cavalry that
protected the great supply train of prairie schooners and herds of cattle. Abner
had a wealth of interesting stories to tell about those wild days. His
recollections of General Custer and the many skirmishes with the Indians and the
attacks of the buffalo on the cattle were many. One story that he told his
grandson was of an incident when Abner's wagon had become disabled. The wagon
train was forced to move on to a safer place before nightfall. Abner, left alone,
repaired the damage to his wagon by dusk, but just then a band of Indians
arrived. The chief motioned for him to follow them. He had no choice but to
obey. When they reached the Indian encampment the squaws were preparing the
evening meal. Abner perceived they were making a stew from some animal. Upon
closer observation he noted they hadn't removed the fur or feet and that it was
dog stew. The chief motioned for him to help himself. Abner declined saying,
"Thank you, but I'm not hungry." The chief became stern and again motioned him to
eat. He looked around and saw the hostile faces of other Indians and not daring
to offend them further he ate the stew. He had received a compliment from
General Custer for his completion of a successful mission through difficult
terrain in Indian territory. Of this he was proud. The following year he was
with the party that surveyed the Canadian boundary.
In 1880 Abner came
to Grand Forks County, North Dakota and that year filed a pre-emption claim four
miles southeast of the present site of Gilby. Here the Gilby brothers, George,
James and John homesteaded. In 1882 Miss Emma Gilby came to keep house for her
brothers. Emma and her three brothers had emigrated from York, England with
their parents, John and Alisemon (Straw) Gilby to Canada in 1853. Accompanying
them were several uncles and aunts making a total of ten Gilbys who sailed for
three weeks on a sailing vessel to the new land.
It was when Abner
came to discuss a land sale with the Gilbys that he met their sister, Emma. A
romance began and in 1884 Abner and Emma were married in Grand Forks. A
daughter, Alisemon was their first born. In the fall two years later, a second
child was expected. Abner had business in Grand Forks and he left by horse and
buggy for the two day trip. Arrangements were made with the Lewis family who
lived a short distance away, that if Emma needed help she could signal them by
placing a lighted lamp in the east window. In the early morning hours of
September 20th, sharp pains indicated an early birth. Emma attempted to get out
of bed to light the lamp. Halfway to the window she stumbled and fell to the
floor and her baby boy, Charles Gilby was born there. She was able to tend to
her own needs and it was here Abner found her and their son upon his return from
Grand Forks.
Abner made many and
valuable improvements on his land. He was the first to plant trees in the area.
His buildings were of the most modern and convenient structures and his home was
described as being one of the most comfortable and commodious of farm properties
in North Dakota.
In political faith,
Abner was a Republican. He had been active in public affairs in the local
community and had filled various local offices. He assisted in the organization
of the township of Gilby, and had been an influential citizen during the
settlement of the county. He became prosperous and successful, gaining his
valuable holdings by industry and good business judgment, as he came to the
Dakota's with few possessions.
Emma, his wife was
a diminutive lady who was known for her gentleness and kindness to friends and
neighbors. She adored her children and often made trips with them to visit
relatives in Winnipeg and Toronto, Canada, staying several weeks at a time. On
the farm there was always a crew of men to be boarded. A hired girl was employed
most of the time. At times during the busy harvest season, Emma and her daughter
would bake pies and bread and walk two miles west of the farmstead to prepare
the rest of the meal in a small claim shanty.
Their children
attended a rural school a half mile south of the farm. The Abbey family usually
boarded the teacher and the school was known as the Abbey School. The building
was heated by a wood stove which would not hold fire overnight. It wouldn't
"take" cord wood, so each noon the bigger boys sawed enough wood to last until
the next noon. The teacher was paid thirty dollars a month and the term was
often divided into three month sessions, depending upon the weather and farm
work. The small schoolroom had two rows of double desks, one on each side of the
stove. Later, Charley attended Interstate Business College in Grand Forks.
Charley owned the
first car in the community, a Buick. He was sometimes hired to taxi salesmen
and businessmen who came by train to Gilby and needed transportation in the
area.
Emma's father
(John) passed away in Canada and her mother married her husband's brother
(James). When they
reached their senior years, Emma and Abner had them come to Dakota to live with
them. They lived to be over ninety years of age and Emma cared for them until
their death.
On June 1, 1908, Abner and Emma purchased a house in Gilby. They lived there and
Abner commuted to the farm each day. Gradually the farming operation was taken
over by Charley their son. Each was eighty years of age when they passed away,
Emma in 1928 and Abner in 1929.
Name
Country
Date
Papers
County
Abbey, Abner
Canada
March 28, 1888
1st
Grand Forks
Abbey, Abner
Canada
January 28, 1892 2nd
Grand Forks
Gilby, Frank
Canada
April 19, 1880
1st
Grand Forks
Gilby, Frank
Canada
November 01, 1890 2nd
Grand Forks
Gilby, George
England
June 10, 1879
1st
Grand Forks
Gilby, George
England
June 14, 1884
2nd
Grand Forks
Gilby, James
England
June 10, 1879
1st
Grand Forks
Gilby, James
England
March 01, 1890 2nd
Grand Forks
Gilby, John
England
April 24, 1880
1st
Grand Forks
Gilby, John
England
August 07, 1885 2nd
Grand Forks