Gilkey - Daniel
Source: Unknown
Daniel GILKEY was born May 9, 1805 in Butler County OH. His parents, Robert and Sally (KERCHEVAL) Gilkey, came to Montgomery County in 1826 and settled in Ripley Twp. Robert G. was a native of NC, fought in the War of 1812, was a whig in politics and a farmer by occupation. Besides farming he built a sawmill and a distillery and afterward a gristmill, in Montgomery Co. His wife, Sally Gilkey was a Virginian. She died in 1849 having survived her husband but one year. They were both members of the Old Baptist Church.
Dan. Gilkey received his education mostly behind the plow or in the mill. When 24 he began farming for himself. During the years from 1837 to 1840 he built a carding and gristmill on Gilkeys branch, in Ripley Twp. The mill had two sets of burrs and was run until 1850, when Mr. Gilkey sold and moved to Crawfordsville and engaged in the grain trade and flour commission business, which he continued for 10 years, in the firm of Lee, Gilkey & Co. He next became director in the First National Bank of Crawfordsville, with 1/10 interest in a capital stock of $100,000.
Mr. Gilkey improved the city also by adding to the extent of one-half in the Crawfordsville Opera House and 1/4 in Union Block. When Dan started for himself his father gave him a quarter section of land, and by industry and economy he has added to his purse until he is now able to live a retired life. Mr. Gilkey was for many years a whig, but when republicanism took its rise he embraced its principles. Oct 30, 1871, he was marr. to Julia MITCHELL, daughter of Mrs. Laura Mitchell of Crawfordsville. She was born and raised in the same place. They have one child, Mary D, born Nov 18, 1873.
Mr. Gilkey well remembers when he, his father, and his brother Squire, came to the woods of Indiana built a log cabin 20 x 20, then brought out the family, traveling from Connersville, 115 miles in 17 days. Now the trip can be made in about 5 hours
Written by Karen Bazzani Zach for her column, Around The County that comes out on Thursday in The Paper of Montgomery County
•
Most everyone reading this will recognize the Gilkey name, but did you know there were four Daniel Gilkeys (at least) relating to our early county history and three living here in the same time frame. Two of those three are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery Grant Avenue while the other one is buried at regular OH. For the purpose of this article, we will call them Dan, Daniel Horton and Daniel M. Then, you will briefly meet young Daniel. There are similarities and differences, so here ya’ go – meet our Gilkey men of the same name.
Dan Gilkey was the first born of the Dans on 9 May 1805 in Butler County, Ohio. His parents were Robert and Sally (Kerchival) Gilkey whose family came to Montgomery County in 1826 and settled where most of the descendants remained - in Ripley Township. Robert had fought in the War of 1812. He was multi-talented running a sawmill, distillery, gristmill and farm. Dan’s parents passed in 1848 and 1849. When Dan moved to Crawfordsville, he bought into a grain business and made quite an exceptional living. One of ten who put in $10,000 each to begin the First National Bank, he in turn made quite a fortune in that business, being its Director at the time of his death.
Dan never married – well, until he was in his 60s and fell in love with a beautiful gal, Julia Mitchell who was 37 years younger, but they faired just fine. In fact, everyone got along well with Dan. Then, Julia passed away just a half dozen years later. They had one child, Mary D, who was left at her father’s death in 1884; however, she died at the age of 18. They are all buried at Oak Hill Grant Avenue (Masonic at that time). Mary was said to be a beautiful girl and was mourned by many as were her parents.
The oldest of Robert and Sarah Kercheval Gilkey’s children was John born in 1797. He married Hannah Stringham and their oldest son was Daniel Horton, our next Daniel Gilkey. A teacher for more than three decades, he retired from that life to get into the political scene where he served as a member of the city council for more than ten years and then Deputy Assessor of Union Township for quite some time, as well. Also, he served as chairman of the Board of Public Works. Both he and his Uncle Dan were highly admired because of their square dealings with anyone and everyone with whom they came in contact. Married to Amanda Benefield, they had no children. Ristine, Voris, Millis, Keegan, Hulett were names associated with this Dan and they all appreciated his counsel in their own official positions. Add humor for this Dan, he was said to be extremely jovial and likeable. A committee of councilmen wrote this about our Daniel Horton: “It can truly be said that no public officer, no matter what office he filled, ever made more self-sacrifices and voluntarily contributed more time and effort that Daniel H. Gilkey did as councilman of the city of Crawfordsville!” He passed away October 6th in 1907, having been born March 5, 1836 in Ripley Township.
Now, Daniel M. Gilkey was close in age with Daniel Horton, also born in Ripley Township Feb 10, 1839. The son of William and Margaret Roundtree Gilkey, he too was the grandson of Robert and Sarah Kerchival Gilkey. He had five brothers and four sisters. Daniel M. enlisted in this county in the 18th Indiana Battery of Capt. Eli Lilly and served with the famous Wilder Brigade. He served for three years but eventually was diseased enough to spend three months in the hospital. Also, he was captured and at the point of death was released by Union soldiers, only a shadow of himself when he returned home and was greeted by his friends.
Upon his return from the Civil War, Daniel M. married Martha “Mattie” Elmore and they were parents of three children, Ruth, Daisy and Clarence. His CW pension began 13 March 1879 until his death on his 62nd birthday.
The fourth Dan Gilkey was his grandson but this poor young fellow fell on the ice in Montana at the age of twelve and passed away as a result.
All three of the Dan Gilkeys were readers, especially with up to date topics and all were sought for advice by many. They lead peaceful, useful lives and were hard workers. The Presbyterian church was high priority in their lives and homes and it seems most weren’t very tall and had blue eyes. Rest in peace, Dan Gilkey, 1, 2, 3 and our young #4!
Karen Zach is the editor of Montgomery Memories, our monthly magazine all about Montgomery County. Her column, Around the County, appears each Thursday in The Paper of Montgomery County.