Abner Nathaniel Abbey was born August 9, 1849 in Port Hope, Durham Co., Canada West and died September 26, 1929 in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND at age 80. He was the son of Nathaniel Abner Abbey of New York or Pennsylvania and Mary Nugent of County Cavan, Ireland.

Emma Gilby was born January 9, 1848 in England and died July 19, 1928 in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND at age 80. She was the daughter of John Gilby and Alisemon Strow.

Abner and Emma were married July 29, 1884 in Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND.

Abner and Emma had two children:

1. Alisemon Emily Abbey: b. September 4, 1885 in North Dakota; d. October 4,1973 in King Co., WA (Age 88). Married 1916 in Grand Forks Co., ND to Adam Walker Taylor: b. August 15, 1882 in New York; d. 1956 in Tacoma, Pierce Co., WA (about age 74).
2. Charles Gilby Abbey: b. September 20, 1887 in North Dakota; d. June 15, 1959 in North Dakota (Age 69). Married December 24, 1917 in the Peoples' country home in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND to Pearl Georgina Peoples: b. September 20, 1889 in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND; d. December 3, 1959 in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND (age 70).

Abner and Emma lived in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.

Abner and Emma are buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Charles and Pearl Abbey are also buried there. Pearl's mother, Alise Gilby, along with her second husband, James Gilby, are also buried there. John Gilby, Jr., is also buried there.

Emma and Abner, possibly an 1884 wedding picture

The Abner Abbey Family, about 1890

Abner Abbey was born August 9, 1849 in Port Hope, Durham Co., Canada West.

Nathaniel Abner Abbey, Abner's father, died March, 1849 in Clarke Twp., Durham Co., Canada West at about age 52.

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 his mother, Mary (Nugent) Abbey, sold her interests and returned to Canada with all of her children except Wellington, 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.

Abner Abbey grew up and was educated in Canada. In 1870 when he was twenty-one he moved from Canada to Fond du Lac County in Wisconsin and resided there for two years.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on June 6, 1870 shows Abner Aby (age 19) born in Canada is a farm laborer 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.

About 1872 he visited Montana, and then 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 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.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 29, 1880 shows A. Abby (age 30) born in Canada of Michigan-born parents is an unmarried Teamster Servant to the Sheriff, Richmond Fadden, living in a boarding house in Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., Dakota Territory.

Patentee Name      State     County            Land Office    Issue Date    Doc. Nr.    Acres        Accession/Serial Nr.

Abbey, Abner          ND     Walsh                Montana         4/9/1881       473         160                NDMTAA 096644 

Abbey, Abner          ND     Grand Forks      Montana         10/20/1884    5984       160                NDMTAA 095217 

Abbey, Abner          ND     Grand Forks      Montana         5/5/1893        14864     160                NDMTAA 095359

On July 29, 1884 Abner Abbey and Emma Gilby were married in Grand Forks, ND.

The 1885 North Dakota Territorial Census shows Abner Abbey (age 34) born in Canada is a Farmer living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. 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.

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., ND.

Abner Abbey became a U.S. citizen on January 28, 1892 in Grand Forks Co., ND.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 27, 1900 shows Abner Abbey (age 50) born August 1849 in Canada is a farmer living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. His wife Emma Abbey (age 52) born June 1848 in England is living there, as well as their daughter Aliecmon Abbey (age 14) born September 1885 and son Charles Abbey (age 12) born September 1887. Both of their children born in North Dakota. Abner is shown as coming to the USA from Canada in 1870. Emma was shown as coming to the USA from England in 1882.

On June 1, 1908 Abner and Emma purchased a house in Gilby.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 16, 1910 shows Abner Abby (age 60) born in Canada of Pennsylvania and Irish-born parents and emigrating in 1870 and naturalized is a farmer (own income) living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Living with him is his wife of 26 years, Emma Abby (age 62) born in England of English-born parents and emigrating in 1882. Also living there is their unmarried daughter Alisemon E. Abby (age 24) born in North Dakota of Canadian and English-born parents. Both of their children are living.

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 of English-born parents. Both are naturalized citizens. 

Emma (Gilby) Abbey died July 19, 1928 in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND at age 80.

Abner Nathaniel Abbey died September 26, 1929 in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND at age 80.

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 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, 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 (Strow) Gilby, having emigrated from that country to Canada in 1853. They had three sons and one daughter, Mrs. Abbey. Two of the sons, James and George, settled in 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 Mr. Abbey and his excellent wife is contained in these pages. In political faith Mr. 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.

ABNER ABBEY

Spouse: 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 (Strow) 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.

Roster of the Men and Women who served in the Army or Naval Service (including the Marine Corps) of the United States or its Allies from the State of North Dakota in the World War, 1917-1918 Volume 2 Flagg to Lark

Name: Alton Charles Gilby
Army #: 2,560,930
Registrant: yes, Grand Forks county
Birth Place: Grand Forks, N. Dak.
Birth Date: 29 Mar 1893
Parent's Origin: of Canadian parents
Occupation: student
Comment: inducted at Grand Forks on March 30, 1918; sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa; served in 163rd Depot Brigade, to April 28, 1918; Sanitary Detachment, 138th Infantry, to Jan. 17, 1919; Medical Detachment, 138th Infantry, to discharge; overseas from May 3, 1918, to April 28, 1919. Engagement: Defensive Sector: Gerardmer (Alsace). Discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on May 12, 1919, as a Private.