Town of Ambia

             Ambia was laid out by Ezekiel M. Talbot and wife, February 22, 1875, and consisted of 122 lots; addition, November 26, 1881, by Charles L. White, 28 lots. The first building in Ambia was erected by James C. Pugh, and is now owned by Washington Pugh; built about 1873; next, the elevators, same season, by James C. and William Pugh, the first grain dealers; the first business house, by Thomas Moore and Arnold Moore, small general stock, built at Weaver, about half a mile west of Ambia, and moved to Ambia in spring of 1873; first stock of goods in the town; first blacksmith, James C. Pugh; next store by Henry and Samuel Parker; first physician, Jems Beard; first hotel, Robert Whitten. Present business: Dallas B. Kelley, Ambia House; I. Reed Allen, general store; William A. Kline, furniture and undertaking; J.H. Myers, hardware; W.T. James, confectionery; John W. Scott, drugs; A.S. Fix, barber; Alfred Goodrick, groceries, boots and shoes and queensware; C.J. Clawson, jeweler; Dr. J.M. Beard and Dr. Evans, physicians; O.L. Ross, meat market; Simeon H. Bowyer, agricultural implements; James Fix, saloon; Acres & Golden, bakery, grocery and confectionery; B.C. Parker, groceries, confectionery and lunch; A.R. Brown, harness; Golden & Manny, general store; S.A. Parker, groceries and provisions; and J.T. McCormick, general store.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana by F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.