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Byron Bruce GILCHRIST

Male 1903 - 1998  (94 years)


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  • Name Byron Bruce GILCHRIST 
    Birth 27 Jan 1903  Fulton County, IN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Death 7 Jan 1998  Indianapolis, Marion County, IN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Cause: Anorexia, nausea and vomiting due to large abdominal aortic aneurysm 
    Burial Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Fishers, Hamilton County, IN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • (1) Elizabeth Ann Grubb:

      NOTES:

      Byron GILCHRIST was the younger of two brothers born and raised on the farm of their grandfather, Thomas GILCHRIST, in Fulton County, IN. Thomas had farmed the land owned by his father, an immigrant from SCOTLAND, until about 1902. The original GILCHRIST land was situated on the south bank of the Tippecanoe River in Rochester Township. After the death of Thomas's wife in 1895 and the 1900 birth of Byron's brother, Virgil, Thomas sold the GILCHRIST farm, and purchased new farm land on the north side of the River. This farm was located in a community called South Germany in Richland Township.

      This Richland Twp. farm was the birthplace of Byron in January, 1903. During his childhood and early youth, Byron's father, William and his grandfather taught Virgil and Byron the skills of farming and of carpentry. Much of the two-story log house was built by the hands of the four GILCHRIST men. Later a large and up-to-date barn built by this family was an object of great pride and admired by the whole community. This barn was later destroyed by a devastating fire.

      "Barney," as Byron was called by some of his friends, was a lively and mischievous young man! A neighbor girl, who would later marry Byron's brother, was often the brunt of Byron's pranks. "Lizzie" O'DELL later told her children of how "ornery Byron" teased and aggravated her as they walked to and from school. She readily admitted that he was not one of her favorite classmates!

      His brother told stories of how he could learn of some of Byron's "adventures" as a young man by waiting for Byron to go to sleep in the room they shared, then asking questions about his activities that evening. It seems that Byron had a tendency to talk in his sleep, and would even answer questions...quite honestly! The next morning Virgil would mention some detail of Byron's activities while "out on the town" the evening before, and Byron would be shocked to find that Virgil had knowledge of the event!

      Byron was with his mother on the terrible day of her death. His story to compiler was that he had taken water and towels for her to wash herself that morning. He later returned to take the water away to empty it, when suddenly his mother sat up very tall, grabbed her head with both hands, and cried, "OH!" Immediately she fell back and was dead. What a lasting impression that memory must have made in the mind of a 17-year-old son!

      Byron, like his older brother, made his living in the construction business. Both men were very skilled in carpentry; both maintained their love of farming. Byron remained in the South Bend area and worked many years for the Christman Construction Company. Upon retiring, he and Emma moved from their home at 412 Woodside in South Bend (a house that Byron had built for his young family) to a farm near Argos, IN in Marshall County. Byron remodeled and improved the existing farm house, a large old home built largely of field stone. This home was destroyed by a fire which began in the middle of the night while Byron and Emma were sleeping. Luckily they were able to escape unharmed.

      After losing their house on the farm, the GILCHRISTs had a new home built on State Road 10 outside Argos. They remained there until 1995 when they moved to the American Village Retirement complex near their daughter, Mary, in Indianapolis.

      Compiler will remember "Uncle Byron" as a handsome and distinguished-looking man of medium height and strong build, with hair that is almost totally white, as was his brother's. Apparently this is a trait inherited from their mother; her hair was said to have been "snowy white" at the time of her death, at age 40. Compiler can not remember ever seeing either of these men with other than gray-to-white hair.

      Byron's eyes are framed in what compiler calls "laugh lines;" he seems to always be on the verge of a smile. Both he and his brother had very pleasant speaking voices, but Virgil's was deeper in pitch than Byron's; both men enjoyed singing, and both participated in quartet singing in their youth. These brothers looked very much alike and used many of the same mannerisms. They both bear strong resemblance to pictures of their father.

      REFERENCES:

      1. Byron GILCHRIST; 1790 E. 54th St. #225; Indianapolis, IN 46220

      2. Emma (PFEIFFER) GILCHRIST, his wife.

      3. Compiler's personal knowledge

      4. Family tradition and lore handed down to compiler by members of the extended family

      5. Virgil J. GILCHRIST, decd., brother of Byron GILCHRIST.

      6. U.S. Census 1910, IN; Fulton Co.; Richland Twp.; E.D. #56; Sheet 12-B; #219/#219. Microfilm #T624-350.

      7. Wilma (MOW) FOLTZ; Rochester, IN; second cousin to Byron GILCHRIST and genealogy researcher.

      8. INDIANA School Census, 1896-1925: Fulton County, IN; 1909-1923. Printed record on file: Fulton Co. Pub. Library; Rochester, IN. (copies furnished to compiler by W. FOLTZ.)

      9. Obit: William J. GILCHRIST; Dec. 20, 1943.

      10. Obit: Mrs. William GILCHRIST (Artiemicia MOW): Sept. 19, 1920.

      (2) A household headed by Byron GILCHRIST is listed in the 1930 census of South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN, at 1718 Fellow Street.

      According to the 1930 census, Byron was a carpenter who was then 27 years of age; therefore, according to the 1930 census, he was born in about 1903. According to the 1930 census, he was born in IN, and both of his parents were born in IN.

      Listed with Byron is his wife, Emma, who was then 23 years of age; therefore, according to the 1930 census, she was born in about 1907. According to the 1930 census, she was born in IN, and both of her parents were born in IN.

      Also listed with Byron is his daughter, Mary Alice, who was then three months old; therefore, according to the 1930 census, she was born in about 1930. According to the 1930 census, she was born in IN, and both of her parents were born in IN.

      Also listed with Byron is his father, William, a laborer and widower who was then 60 years of age; therefore, according to the 1930 census, he was born in about 1870. According to the 1930 census, he was born in IN, and both of his parents were born in IN.

      (3) A household headed by Bryan GILCHRIST is listed in the 1940 census of South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN. [The compiler believes that "Bryan's" first name was really Byron.] The official enumeration date of this household is April 1, 1940; the actual enumeration date of this household is April 18, 1940.

      "Bryan's" household is listed at 412 Woodside.

      "Bryan" is listed in the 1940 census as a carpenter who was then 37 years of age; therefore, according to the 1940 census, he was born in about 1903. According to the 1940 census, he was born in IN. According to the 1940 census, his residence as of April 1, 1935 was at the same place as it was as of April 1, 1940.

      Listed with "Bryan" is his wife, Emma, who was then 33 years of age; therefore, according to the 1940 census, she was born in about 1907. According to the 1940 census, she was born in IN. According to the 1940 census, her residence as of April 1, 1935 was at the same place as it was as of April 1, 1940.

      Also listed with "Bryan" is his daughter, Mary Alice, who was then 10 years of age; therefore, according to the 1940 census, she was born in about 1930. According to the 1940 census, she was born in IN. According to the 1940 census, her residence as of April 1, 1935 was at the same place as it was as of April 1, 1940.

      Also listed with "Bryan" is his daughter, Janet, who was then 1 year of age; therefore, according to the 1940 census, she was born in about 1939. According to the 1940 census, she was born in IN.

      (4) A household headed by Byron B. GILCHRIST is listed in the 1950 census of South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN.

      Byron is listed in the 1950 census as a construction foreman who was then 47 years of age; therefore, according to the 1950 census, he was born in about 1903. According to the 1950 census, he was born in IN.

      Listed with Byron is his wife, Emma B., who was then 43 years of age; therefore, according to the 1950 census, she was born in about 1907. According to the 1950 census, she was born in IN.

      Also listed with Byron is his daughter, Janet A., who was then 11 years of age; therefore, according to the 1950 census, she was born in about 1939. According to the 1950 census, she was born in IN.

      (5) Obituary that appeared on p. D4 of the January 8, 1998 issue of The Indianapolis Star:

      BYRON B. GILCHRIST, 94, Indianapolis, formerly of Argos and South Bend, died Jan. 7. He retired from farming in 1976. Mr. Gilchrist also was a construction superintendent for Charles Aulm & Co., retiring in 1965. He was a member of Plymouth (Ind.) First Presbyterian Church and Carpenters Union Local 413. Services: 11 a.m. Jan. 10 in Flanner & Buchanan Broad Ripple Mortuary, with calling from 10:30 a.m. Burial: Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Fishers. He was the widower of Emma Pfeiffer Gilchrist. Survivors: daughters Janet A. Frost, Dr. Mary A. Gilchrist: two granddaughters.

      (6) Tombaugh, Jean C. and Wendell C., Fulton County Indiana Obituaries 1998?Rochester Sentinel, Rochester, IN: 1999:

      Thursday, January 8, 1998

      Byron B. Gilchrist

      Jan. 27, 1903-Jan. 7, 1998

      Byron B. GILCHRIST, 94, Indianapolis, formerly from South Bend, Argos and Rochester areas, died Wednesday at Forum at the Crossing., Indianapolis.

      Born in Rochester to William and Artemica MOW GILCHRIST, he married Emma PFEIFFER in 1928 in South Bend.

      Gilchrist was a retired Superfritendant for Charles Aulm and Company (construction) and also a retired farmer. He was the oldest surviving member of the Carpenters Union Local 413, South Bend. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Plymouth.

      Survivors include two daughters, Dr. Mary A. GILCHRIST, Indianapolis, and Janet A. and husband J. Michael FROST, Indianapolis: two granddaughters, Susan ROJAS, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Catherine NICHOLS, Chandler, Ariz.

      Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at F&B Broad Ripple Funeral Home, Indianapolis. Dr. Donald DURRETT will officiate. Burial is in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Indianapolis. Visitation is one half hour prior to services.

      (7) Funeral card:

      In Remembrance

      The Twenty-Third Psalm

      The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.
      He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
      He leadeth me beside the still waters.
      He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the
      paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
      Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
      shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
      for thou art with me; thy rod and
      thy staff they comfort me.
      Thou preparest a table before me in the
      presence of mine enemies:
      thou annointest my head with oil;
      my cup runneth over.
      Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
      me all the days of my life:
      and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

      In Loving Memory of
      Byron B. Gilchrist

      Date of Birth
      January 27, 1903
      Rochester, Indiana

      Date of Death
      January 7, 1998
      Indianapolis, Indiana

      Funeral Services
      11:00a.m. Saturday
      January 10, 1998
      Flanner & Buchanan
      Broad Ripple Mortuary

      Officiating
      Dr. Donald Durrett

      Interment
      Oaklawn Memorial Gardens
      Fishers, Indiana

      (8) Social Security Death Index:

      Name: Byron Gilchrist
      SSN: 317-05-7450
      Last Residence: 46220 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States of America
      Born: 27 Jan 1903
      Died: 7 Jan 1998
      State (Year) SSN issued: Indiana (Before 1951)

      (9) www.findagrave.com:

      Byron Bruce Gilchrist
      Birth: Jan. 27, 1903
      Death: Jan. 7, 1998

      Note: S/o Wm. J. and Artimicia Gilchrist

      Burial: Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Indianapolis, Hamilton County, Indiana, USA

      [Note by compiler: This cemetery has a post-office address of 9700 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN 46250, but it is physically located immediately north of Marion County in Hamilton County, IN.]
    Person ID I3  Frost, Gilchrist and Related Families
    Last Modified 28 Nov 2023 

    Father William Jefferson GILCHRIST,   b. 31 Mar 1869, Richland Township, Fulton County, IN Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 Dec 1943, South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 74 years) 
    Mother Millie Artiemicia MOW,   b. 2 Jul 1880, Richland Township, Fulton County, IN Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 19 Sep 1920, Richland Township, Fulton County, IN Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 40 years) 
    Marriage 31 Dec 1898  Rochester, Fulton County, IN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F702  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Emma Berniece PFEIFFER,   b. 15 Dec 1906, Marshall County, IN Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Jan 1997, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 90 years) 
    Marriage 18 Aug 1928  South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • (1) http://www.rootsweb.com/~instjose/marriages.htm:

      Saint Joseph Co, IN Marriage Index 1927-1954

      Marriage Record for Byron Gilchrist
      Spouse: Emma PFIEFFER
      Date: 18 Aug 1928
      B/G: Groom
      Source: Book:042 Page:585
      Record #: license date 1928/08/18
      County and State: St Joseph Co. IN
    Children 
     1. Dr. Mary Alice GILCHRIST,   b. 8 Jan 1930, South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 18 Mar 2008, Sherman Home Hospice, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years)
     2. Living
    Family ID F696  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 28 Nov 2023 

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