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

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.