JOHN P. GULICK, farmer, Grand Junction, was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1810, son of Abram Gulick, born in Sussex County, New Jersey, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, and now deceased. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the subscription school, in a small frame house covered with slabs, slab benches, and a board fastened to the wall for a desk; a huge fireplace in one end, a long window on one side, two rows of lights, and a fourlight window for the teacher.
In 1843 he removed to Three Rivers, Michigan, being in search of a fair young damsel whom he had met in Pennsylvania. He traveled through Illinois to Iowa, and back to White Pigeon, Michigan, and found her in the person of Mary D. Kownover, whom he married October 29, 1844. She was a daughter of Richard L. Kownover, of New Jersey, and was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
July 4, 1844, our subject drove a reaper and thresher combined, on prairie round, drawn by fourteen horses. The machine had on it a liberty pole, bearing the names of "Polk and Dallas." That day they cut and sacked twenty-eight acres of wheat with that machine.
Mr. and Mrs. Gulick have had eight children, six of whom are living— William B., Emma J., Charley M., Kate, Margaret M. and Addie L. They have an adopted child — Maude.
In 1846 they returned to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, thence to Northumberland County, Virginia, in 1852, and returned to Pennsylvania in 1862. They spent about four years in Washington, D.C. Mr. Gulick being in the employ of the United States four years. He was Captain of a squad of the Sixteenth New York, under Colonel Nickelson, sent by General Auger to capture Booth, the assassinator of Lincoln. He rendered valuable service to the Government during the war; being a sailor, he gave information which led to the capture of many rebel vessels. In 1866 he removed to St. Joseph County, Indiana, thence to this county in 1873, where he has since lived. He conducted the Ashley House over three years. He belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. The family are Baptists.
