Gilkey - Squire - M. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Located in the midst of a rich farming community, it is not strange that the business interests of Wingate have attained a prominence unequaled in this section of the Wabash Valley Country. The business men of this place, as a class, are enterprising, shrewd and far-seeing in judgment, and it is largely through their efforts that the city has become prominently knows as a commercial center of which the people of Montgomery County are justly proud.

Among the number who have contributed to this pleasing result may be consistently mentioned Squire M. GILKEY, the owner and proprietor of a successful mercantile establishment. He has ever borne his part in the upbuilding and development of the community, and for his faithful performance of the duties devolving upon him as a citizen he is deserving of all credit. He possesses a clear, vigorous intellect, is progressive in his ideas, and has a full share of that business acumen so necessary to success in any walk of life, and he is in every way deserving of the material success which he has achieved and the respect in which he is held by all who know him.

Mr. Gilkey was born at Wingate, Indiana June 8, 1853. He is a son of Aaron and Mary (McJIMEY) Gilkey. The father was born in Putnam Co, IN and the mother's birth occurred in Ohio. The elder Gilkey came to Montgomery County in 1845 and settled at Wingate and here he became well established through his industry. The locality was sparsely settled at that time and much of the land was undeveloped. He was a tanner by trade and here he conducted a tannery for many years, building up an extensive business.

He was one of the best known men in Western Montgomery County. His family consisted of 3 children: Squire M of this sketch; and Lydia, who married J. C. WINGATE and one child who died in infancy unnamed. Squire grew to manhood in his native community and he received his education in the common schools. Early in life he began farming for himself and soon had a good start, continuing in that line of endeavor until 1884, when he entered the mercantile busienss at Wingate, and here he has remained in the same line of endeavor at the present time, having enjoyed all the while a very large and constantly growing business, his hundreds of customers coming from all over this part of the County. He carries a varied and carefully selected stock of goods at all seasons and his many patrons always find here fair and courteous treatment.

Mr. Gilkey was married in 1886 to Jennie M. IVES, a daughter of Ephraim and Henrietta Ives, an industrious and highly respected couple, who were natives of the state of ILL from which they removed to Montgomery Co Indiana when young, and here established the future home of the family, and here the subject's wife grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilkey, namely: Harlan Ives ; Georgia L ; and one that died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. Gilkey has taken considerable interest in the affairs of his town and County and has supported such measures as have for their object the general welfare of the community; however, he has been too busy with his personal affairs to seek public office, although well qualified for positions of trust. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. - typed by kbz