More on William and Harriet

One of the perks of working in the public education system is that there is always a break just around the corner.  This Christmas I have enjoyed being around my family, but I have also enjoyed the downtime to peruse my geneology information, and to kickstart my interest in it again.  I have been gathering information for the last 15 years, waiting on the right time to organize it.  I'm thinking that the time is now.

One of the kinfolks that I had talked to over the years was Lillian McGeath.  Lillian is the daughter of Alamander, and grandaughter of William Riley, and Harriet Ritter Amburgey.  Unfortunately, Lillian passed away in January of 2007.  I wish that I could pick her brain one more time about family history.  Lillian attended many of the Amburgey reunions in Knott County.  As I was looking through some of my "stuff" I found an article about William and Harriet that she had written for a Knott County history book.  I have taken the time to type the article.  Thanks cousin Lill.

Here is the article in it's entirety:

William Riley "Champion" Amburgey, son of Diannah (Adams) and Wiley J. Amburgey, was born 27 October 1861 at Litt Carr in (then) Letcher County, the tenth child in a family of nineteen children.  His mother died 17 June 1883 so his father later remarried having nine more children.  He acquired an eighth grade education and part of his schooling was under Professor Clark.  He was a great sportsman, marksman, and photographer.

Harriet Ritter Whitaker, daughter of Clarinda (Combs) and Squire Junior Whitaker, was born 4 August 1871 at Whitesburg in Letcher County.  "Champion" and Harriet were married 23 February 1893 and their first child, Selina (Amburgey) Collins was born 25 February 1894 in Knott County with seven more children following: (2) Adelia (Amburgey) Landrum, born 15 May 1895; (3) Ambrose Wiley Amburgey born 16 December 1896; (4) Lucinda Amburgey, born 3 October 1898; (5) Leslie Amburgey, born 6, December 1900; (6) Alamander Amburgey, born 25 December 1901; Rebecca (Amburgey) Newsome, born 28 October 1903 and (8) Clarinda (Amburgey) Short, born 24 December 1905.




William Riley, Harriet (to the right of William), possible sister of Harriet (to the left of William Riley) ca. 1910



Then around 1905 Riley moved his family to Branson, Taney County, Missouri; in which he rode part of the way in a covered wagon and the rest of the way by train.  Riley and his family farmed, fished and hunted to provide food for the family.  Three more children were born in Branson:  (9) Margaret (Amburgey) Mullins, born 23 June 1908; (10) Benton Amburgey, born 5 April 1905; and (11) Granville Amburgey, born 14 April 1913.

"Champion" moved his family back to Litt Carr, Kentucky in 1913 where he moved his family into a large log home owned by his brother, Robert Humphery Amburgey, lawyer, judge, and banker in Hindman.  Riley farmed to raise food and to sell at the market.  Still an expert rifleman, he held many shooting matches winning most of them.  This is where he got the nickname, "Champion." (My personal note: Speculation is that it is was this exact hobby that got Riley in trouble and caused him to move to Missouri until the heat wore off)

As a photographer he took many pictures of family and friends in the area and he would develop them in a dark roomwhich he had built beside the house.

Another child (12) Robert Humphery Amburgey was born 28 May 1915.

Later in yeaars his health was failing with what was called "heart dropsy."  He spent his later years sitting in his chair most of the time on the front porch where he had sun marks cut into the railing from which he could determine the time fo day.  He passed away 28 April 1933 at the age of 72 and is buried in the Amburgey Cemetery on Dead Mare Branch near the family's log home where he was born and raised.



Cabin built in 1837 by Ambrose Amburgey.  He bought the rights to over 10,000 acres along Carr Creek for $600.



 Harriet Ritter moved to Rubyville, Scioto County, Ohio after Riley's death and where some of her children lived.  She spent the remainder of her life gardening and quilting until her death on 17 March 1948 at the age of 77.  She was laid to rest in the Amburgey Cemetery beside Riley on Dead Mare Branch.