Lot 44

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Tax records indicate that a very modest structure ($15) may have been built on this site by Adam Burkhart as early as 1846; however, by 1847 the tax value decreased to $9 where it remained until 1855, when it increased to $74 when owned by William Johonning. Between ca. 1860 and ca. 1875 it remained at $15 until under Nicholas Gambs ownership the value increased to $101. Property values between 1875 and 1935 suggest that the same building remains until this day (2008) with various additions and remodelings.

Foundation stones in the cellar of this house suggest that a basement was added after the structure was built, and Roman numerals carved into the logs suggest that the logs were marked when taken from another building. It is likely that the house that exists in 2007 does have components from 1846.

Nicholas Gambs

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Nicholas Gambs (1807-1886) and his family lived in the house on Lot 44 from ca. 1870 until ca. 1880. The photographs above, taken from an excellent genealogy prepared by his great-granddaughter, Maxine Gambs McCaw (The Ancestors and Descendants of Nicolas Gambs 1807-1888, DesMoines, Iowa, 1981), are some of the earliest known images of Miltonsburg residents.

The family photograph includes: first row, left to right: Nicolas Gambs, Mary Gambs Spangler, John Nicholas Gambs and second row: Lena Gambs Miller and Mrs. John Nicolas Gambs.

Paul E. Young, Sr.

Paul Young, Sr. (see Lot 11) and Hulda Landefeld Young (see Lot 19) purchased Lots 43 and 44 in 1934 and the property is owned by their children, Paul E. Young, Jr. and Judith Young, in 2008.

Lot 44 Owners

(Partial List)

  • 1846 Adam Brukhart
  • 1847 Adam Burkhart
  • 1848 John Greiner
  • 1849 Adam Burkhart
  • 1850 Adam Burkhart
  • 1855 William Johonning
  • 1860 William Johonning
  • 1866 William Johonning
  • 1870 Nicholas Gambs
  • 1875 Nicholas Gambs
  • 1880 Nicholas Gambs
  • 1885 Jacob Walter
  • 1890 Jacob Walter
  • 1895 Jacob Walter
  • 1899 Jacob Walter
  • 1905 Jacob Walter
  • 1910 Annie Groux
  • 1915 Samuel Groux
  • 1920 Catherine Ulrich
  • 1925 Catherine Ulrich
  • 1930 Catherine Ulrich
  • 1935 Paul E. and Hulda Young
  • 1940 Paul E. and Hulda Young
  • 1945 Paul E. and Hulda Young
  • 1950 Paul E. and Hulda Young