Nicholas Gasaway

    Nicholas Gasaway (deceased) was born November 1, 1806, in Clark County, Indiana, near the Gasaway Church, the second Methodist society formed in the State.

    December 22, 1831, he was married to miss Elizabeth Jackson, of Jefferson County, Indiana. He removed to this county and located in Smyrna Township in 1832, where he continued to reside during the remainder of his life.

    He was converted and joined the church when only seventeen years old, under the ministry of Rev. James Armstrong, at Shiloh, on Kent circuit. Many a Methodist preacher remembers the genial face and hearty welcome of this good brother. His home was ever open for the itinerant, when the best was always brought out to grace the occasion. In the theology of Methodism he was well read, -it was his study. New and novel notions found no place in his belief. What the Bible taught, was interpreted by Wesley, Fletcher, Clark, Watson, he took as the basis of his belief, and conformed his life to it. To the young minister he was a safe counselor and warm friend. Many of the ministers who, at different times, found rest at his home, also found they could obtain the soundest of instruction from this man of God.

    He served the church in the capacity of steward for twenty years, and for forty-two years he was a constant reader of the Western Christian Advocate.

    He died in 1879, at the age of 72 years. He left a widow and seven children, three boys and four girls -Elmore Y., Wilber F., Charles D., Margaret, Mary, Louisa and Clara. Elmore Y. is married and living in Chicago, where he is agent of the Pacific Express Company.

    Wilber F. is married and farming in Kansas. Charlie D. is living in Chicago, and is agent of the American Express Company. Margaret is living in Grand Forks, Dakota, with her son Miles E. Harbin. Louisa is married to E. L. Smalley, a lawyer, and is living in Waverly, Iowa. Clara is married to L. C. Tate, a marble dealer at Bloomfield, Indiana. Mary is unmarried, and lives on the old home place, which consists of ninety-two acres of fine land, situated just north of Volga.

    Mrs. Gasaway, widow of Nicholas, died in 1883.

    Nicholas Gasaway was school trustee for many years, and was a kind father and  a devoted husband.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.