Friends and family were likely surprised to learn that 76-year-old James G. Kingsbury and 68-year-old Kate Kingsbury decided to move from their Layman Avenue home into a new residence at 71 North Ritter Avenue in 1907. They were not just moving into any home, but one that had been clad in concrete blocks. Local businesses mass produced concrete blocks for construction lowering the costs for such a residence. Another nearby home at 65 North Ritter Avenue also had a first story built of concrete block. Mr. Kingsbury's scrapbook noted that his home was the first concrete block house in the neighborhood. While he took out a building permit for the residence in 1905, the family did not move in right away.
James G. Kingsbury still served as the publisher of the Indiana Farmer although his sons, James L. and Theodore, took on more responsibility for the publication. Only his young son, Theodore, still lived at home. On November 17, 1907, all seven of Mr. Kingsbury's sons gathered at the new house to celebrate Theodore's 21st birthday. Sadness, however, soon gripped the family as Kate Kingsbury, the third wife of James G. Kingsbury, faced a dire cancer diagnosis. She penned a column in the Indiana Farmer called "Aunt Kate" where she discussed domestic issues. In her final column, she wrote:
For over a year I have been an invalid, and during that time there has not been a day that I have not had reason to thank God for neighbors. Fruits, flowers, and dainties, have been almost daily offerings. And how good things taste that come to you unexpectedly...And flowers! From the time of the early spring crocuses awaken from their wintry slumbers, until the frosts cut short the chrysanthemum blooms, I have not been a day without flowers...
Mrs. Kingsbury died on April 1, 1908, leaving James G. Kingsbury a widower for a third time. Mr. Kingsbury continued to go to his office at the Indiana Farmer. On January 18, 1910, his family held a surprise birthday party for him after he returned from work. An Indianapolis News article noted that the entire house at 71 North Ritter Avenue was illuminated to celebrate his 78th birthday. A few weeks later, he surprised his friends and family by announcing that he had taken out a marriage license to wed a 62-year-old widow named Anna Risk. On February 10, 1910, the couple gathered at the Somerset Apartments to be married by the Reverend Frank O. Ballard of the Memorial Presbyterian Church. Only a few witnessed the moment, and then the couple honeymooned in Washington D.C. and New York City before returning to their Ritter Avenue home.
At some point before 3:30 AM on the morning of May 5, 1910, Mr. Kingsbury went to the window of his second-story bedroom on Ritter Avenue and looked to the east. There in the quiet of the night, he witnessed Halley's Comet racing over Irvington. Ever the journalist, he recorded the moment and the Indianapolis News reported that he was the first in the city to see the comet.
Mr. Kingsbury's death on June 11, 1913, was widely reported around the state of Indiana. His efforts to write about Hoosier agriculture had been impactful. He left behind his fourth wife, seven sons, one step daughter, and numerous grandchildren. Some of those descendants have been very generous with their time, stories, and photographs. I am very grateful to them.
Up Next: A Butler Fraternity House on Pleasant Run Parkway
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| "The First Concrete Block House in Irvington," as reported from the scrapbook belonging to the Kingsbury family, c1907. The photo is also important because it shows the side of 75 North Ritter Avenue, a house destroyed by fire in 1920. A double later replaced that home. (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family) |
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| This c1913 photo in front of 71 North Ritter Avenue is remarkable as it shows a very young John K. Kingsbury (seated and holding a hat). He later became a beloved local doctor and a witness in the infamous trial involving D.C. Stephenson, the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan, and murderer of Madge Oberholtzer. His testimony helped to convict the man. Seated (left to right) James G. Kingsbury, John K. Kingsbury, Anna Risk Kingsbury, Kate Kingsbury holding Frank Kingsbury, and Charles Kingsbury; Standing (left to right): Florine Kingsbury, Hannah Kingsbury, Pearl Kingsbury, Edna Gunckel, Cornelia Goe Kingsbury, Nathan Howard Kingsbury, Theodore Kingsbury, Franklin Kingsbury (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family) |
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| Nathan Howard ("Punk") Kingsbury, James G. Kingsbury, and Theodore Kingsbury after a big snowstorm at 71 North Ritter Avenue c1910. You can also see the south side of the Clancy home at 75 North Ritter Avenue. That home burned in 1920. (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family) |
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| Charles Kingsbury, Kate Kingsbury, Hannah Kingsbury, and Nathan Howard Kingsbury c1910 on the steps of 71 North Ritter Avenue. (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family) |
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| Theodore Kingsbury, Sylvia Ewan (Lil), and the Marsh sisters standing at the rear of 71 North Ritter Avenue c1910 (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family) |
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| Edna Gunckel was the daughter of Kate Gunckel Kingsbury, the third wife of James G. Kingsbury. Letters in the Kingsbury family collection reveal that she remained close to the family for years. This photo was likely snapped c1910 in front of 71 North Ritter Avenue. After Mr. Kingsbury died in 1913, he left his stepdaughter some of his money. (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family) |
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| Always the farmer, Mr. Kingsbury worked in the backyard of his home at 71 North Ritter Avenue c1910. Behind him you can see the rear of 76 and 98 North Layman Avenue. (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family) |
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| Theodore Kingsbury and Sylvia Ewan c1910 behind 71 North Ritter Avenue. (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family) |
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| 71 North Ritter Avenue after a snowstorm c1910 (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family) |
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| 71 North Ritter Avenue on July 16, 2025 |
I wish to thank Kathy and Dick Meyer for their wonderful help with this article. I also wish to thank Marion County historian, Steve Barnett, who helped me pin down a date on the house.
Sources: The 1910 Federal Census; Polks's Indianapolis City Directories, 1906-1914; Birthday party for Theodore Kingsbury: Indianapolis News, November 18, 1907, p. 7; Obituaries for Kate Kingsbury: "Mrs. Kingsbury Dead," Indianapolis News, April 2, 1908, p. 7; "Death of Mrs. Kingsbury," Indiana Farmer, April 11, 1908, p. 10; J.G. Kingsbury Surprise Birthday Party: "Birthday-Anniversary," Indianapolis News, January 19, 1910, p. 7; J.G. Kingsbury and Halley's Comet: "Arise Early, Look East And You Will See It," Indianapolis News, May 5,1910, p. 1; J.G. Kingsbury to Anna Risk: "Will Marry Fourth Wife," Indianapolis Star, February 10, 1910, p. 1; "Society," Indianapolis News, February 10, 1910, p. 7; Obituary for James G. Kingsbury: "James G. Kingsbury, of Indiana Farmer, Dead," Indianapolis News, June 12, 1913, p. 7. James G. Kingsbury's Will: "Kingsbury Will Probated," Indianapolis Star, July 8, 1913, p. 3.
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