Wednesday, December 22, 2010

William Riley "Champion" Amburgey

Since the blog deals primarily with the family, and the descendants, of William Riley and Harriet Ritter Amburgey, it is most appropriate to start the process with them.  I'll begin with William Riley.  My great grandfather William Riley Amburgey (also known as Champion) was born on October 1st, 1869 in Hindman, Kentucky.  Hindman is the county seat of Knott County.  Riley was the son of Wiley J. Amburgey and Dianah Adams.
Riley first shows up in the 1870 federal census.  He is listed at being 8 months old at the date of the census (August 1870).  Wiley is listed as a farmer with his real estate valued at $1,000 and his personal property listed as $200.  Family members listed on the census and their ages:
Wiley J aged 44
Dianah aged 43
Elizabeth aged 16
Polly aged 13
Ambrose aged 11
Susan aged 10
John aged 7
Umphery aged 4
Elizabeth, Polly, Ambrose, and Susan were attending school but none of them could read or write.  Additionally, Dianah is listed as not being able to read or write.  The following is an image of the 1870 federal census for Precinct 4, Letcher County, Kentucky:

Riley next shows up in the 1880 federal census at the ripe old age of 11.  He is listed as one of three sons in the household (John aged 17, and Robert aged 14).  The 1880 census shows his father Wiley at age 57, and mother Dianah, age 53.  Wiley's Occupation is listed as farmer, and Dianah as keeping house.

In 1920 Riley shows up in the census for Upper Carr Creek, in Knott County.  In between the 1880 census and 1920 census we see Riley married to Harriet and having a large family.  Riley is 50 years old at this time and Harriet is 48.  In the household is: Ambrose (age 22), Leslie (age 19), Alamander (age 18), Becky (age 16), Clarinda (age 14), Margaret (age 11), Benton (age 8), Granville (age 6), and Robert (age 4).  Riley is once again listed as a farmer, and Ambrose is indicated as working for the railroad.  One of the pictures that we get from this census is that during the time period of 1906-1914 the family lived in Missouri.  The census indicates that Clarinda, Margaret, Benton, and Granville, were all born in Missouri.

The 1930 census is the last one we see Riley in as he passed away on April 28th, 1933 in Knott County, Kentucky.   Riley is 60 years old as of this time and Harriet is 58.  Benton, Granville, and Robert are the only children still at home.

One of the biggest questions that I have regarding this information is why did the family leave Knott County, Kentucky for Taney County, Missouri? 

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