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Carl Gaumer |
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Solomon's Church Cemetery Courtesy Kenneth Schaeffer |
Circa 1826, he entered into marriage with Lucy Ann Snyder (1809-1846), reputedly a daughter of Peter and Sophia (Friend) Snyder.
The six offspring the couple produced together were Edward Benjamin Gaumer, Sarah Gaumer, James Aaron Gaumer, Charles Madison Gaumer, Josephine Clarissa Gaumer and Sophia Lentz.
Grief blanketed the family when Lucy Ann passed away in 1846 at the age of only 36 years, 6 months and 26 days. The cause of her untimely demise is not known. Interment was in Solomon's United Church Cemetery in Macungie. The text on her stone was spelled out in German.
Charles as a widower made a living as a tailor, as shown in the 1850 federal census enumeration of Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County. Decades later, in 1932, the Allentown Morning Call said that he "probably had erected the stone graveled house on the north side of Main street, nearly opposite Grace Lutheran church, and which his son Edward B. Gaumer, a coachmaker, occupied for many years [before he] moved to Urbana, Ohio..."
When the United States Census again was made in 1860, Carl and his daughters Sarah, Josephine and Sophia made a home together in Millerstown, Lehigh County, with him continuing in his trade as a tailor.
The Gaumers returned to Lower Macungie during the decade of the 1860s and made a dwelling there in 1870. Charles had no occupation that year at age 68. His unmarried daughters Sarah (age 40) and Sophia (24) were still under his roof.
He succumbed to the Angel of Death on March 1, 1871 in Macungie. No newspaper obituary has been found. His marker at the Solomon's cemetery also was in German.
~ Son Edward Benjamin Gaumer ~
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Hannah and Edward B. Gaumer - courtesy "Oldergraver" |
In his teens he was apprenticed in the trade of carriage manufacturing, and then went to Reading working in that industry for five years. He relocated to Ohio, first to Wayne County, and thence for short spurts of time in Wooster, Zanesville and Columbus. Then on March 1, 1854, at age 27, Edward migrated from Columbus to Urbana in Champaign County, OH, "where he very soon thereafter associated himself with William Warren in the purchase of a carriage manufacturing business," said the Urbana Daily Citizen.
Edward appears to have married twice. One spouse was Alice S. ( ? - ? ) of Urbana. Then at age 29, in 1856, he tied the marital cord with Hannah Hamman (1825-1896), a native of Lehigh County.
Five children of the second marriage were Augustus Hamman Gaumer, twins Mary Lucy Gaumer and George Edward Gaumer, Alice Louise Gaumer and Crissie "Blanche" Gaumer. They grieved at the death of twin daughter Mary Lucy in infancy in 1862. The family is known to have belonged to the Lutheran Church.
Edward and his longtime business partner jointly owned the firm of Warren and Gaumer. Then in 1883, distant cousin Dr. Thomas Melancthon Gaumer, of the family of Jonathan and Mahala (Barrett) Gaumer, moved to Urbana and launched a newspaper publishing business in town, giving even more prominence to the family name. Shortly after Warren's death in 1890, Edward brought a lawsuit against his partner's heirs Ann Pearce of Oakfield, NY and James Warren to force a partition of many tracts of real estate in Urbana. He also began a new business, E.B. Gaumer and Sons, "and continued in the manufacture of buggies, carriages, sleighs, etc., until such time as the automobile became the common mode of transportation," said the Daily Citizen. The factory was located at 310-318 West Court Street.
Sadly, Hannah passed away in Urbana on Aug. 17, 1896. An obituary in her old hometown newspaper, the Allentown Leader, said that "Her maiden name was Hamman and she was born in Lehigh County January 28, 1825. Her parents moved to Ohio in 1836."
Edward died in Champaign at the age of 76 on Oct. 19, 1903. The Mansfield News Journal eulogized that he was "probably the oldest manufacturer of carriages in the state of Ohio." His remains sleep for the ages in Urbana's Oakdale Cemetery.
In 1917, Hugh P. Creighton and Philip J. Schneider bought the factory property and "removed the two top floors and the back section of the large brick building," said the Urbana Daily Citizen, "and used the bricks to construct their factory at the rear of the lot." Some 58 years later, in June 1961, he was profiled in an Urbana newspaper column by Warren Everhart, saying "for a period of more than a hundred years the Gaumer family name has been identified with the industrial activity of the City of Urbana."
Son Augustus Hamman Gaumer (1856-1936) was born on Dec. 18, 1856 in his parents' home on North Main Street in Urbana, Champaign County. His birthplace was across the street from the Masonic Temple in town. He graduated from the public school in Urbana in 1874 then was a teacher, including at Urbana High School. He then joined his father's Warren & Gaumer carriage manufacturing business in a career that spanned nearly 50 years. In 1884, at the age of about 28, he tied the marital cord with Cyrena "Rena" Johnson ( ? - ? ), daughter of Levi Johnson. The two offspring they produced together were Josephine A. Hutson and Keren J. Gaumer. Augustus became an owner of the family business in 1890 after the death of his father's partner. "The comany manufactured horse-drawn vehicles that were shipped all over the United States," reported the Urbana Daily Citizen.
Throughout his life he was a member of the Lutheran church of Urbana, for which he had served as teacher and for many years as superintendent of the church council. For a number of years he was a member of the board of directors of the Hamma Divinity School of Wittenberg College of Springfield... [He] was vice president of the Perpetual Savings Association of Urbana, having served in this position for the past 20 years.
At the age of 80, he died in his sleep on March 22, 1936. An obituary in the Daily Citizen called him a "pioneer Urbana resident who was widely known as a buggy manufacturer." Leading the funeral rites were Rev. Dr. Loyal Larimore of the Hamma School, assisted by Rev. F.R. White. Burial was in Oakdale Cemetery.
- Granddaughter Keren Gaumer made a home in Urbana in 1936.
- Granddaughter Josephine A. Gaumer wed C.W. Hutson. They relocated to Ypsilanti, MI. They were the parents of Eleanor Hutson.
Son George Edward Gaumer (1861-1931) was born on Jan. 25, 1861, a twin with his sister Mary Lucy. Sadly, the twin did not survive infancy. George was an 1879 graduate of Urbana High School. Along with his brother Augustus, he entered in the carriage manufacturing business with their father. When he was 36 years of age, in 1897, he was joined in wedlock with Martha Kunath ( ? - ? ), an immigrant from Neustadt, Germany. They exchanged their marital vows in the Church of the Atonement in New York City, by the hand of Rev. Dr. F.H. Knubel. Two children of this union were Edward K. Gaumer and Agnes H. Gaumer. They lived at 234 West Court Street. The Urbana Daily Citizen once said that George "was closely identified with the manufacturing interests of the city, having been a part of the carriage firm of Warren & Gaumer, and later a member of the firm of E.B. Gaumer and Sons. With the passing of the carriage business, Mr. Gaumer, associating with his brother A.H. Gaumer, entered the coal business, operating under the name of The Gaumer Coal Co... [He] was not only a practical artisan but also had a special training in the technique of drafting as applied to the vehicle trade." George was a lifelong member of the local lodge of the Masons and a longtime treasurer of the Sunday School of the Urbana Lutheran Church. After an illness of several months' duration, as he neared his 70th birthday, George passed away on Jan. 10, 1931. His pastor, Rev. K.R. Roberts, preached the funeral sermon. An obituary in the Daily Citizen said he "possessed a quiet undemonstrative nature and his sterling qualities were those of being industrious, honest in all transactions and careful in his daily life."
- Grandson Edward K. Gaumer was married and the father of Alice Marie Gaumer.
- Granddaughter Agnes H. Gaumer was single as of 1931.
Daughter Alice Louise Gaumer (1863-1954) was born two days before Christmas 1863 in Champaign County. She does not appear to have married over her long life. Alice's address for decades was at 235 West Court Street, Urbana. She was regent of the Urbana chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also was active with the Sunday School and Missionary Society of the Messiah Lutheran Church and in 1944 was president of the Loyalty Club of Girl Reserves during World War II. As well, she gave of her time as secretary of the Urbana Public Library. At the age of 90, she passed away in the county of her birth on June 19, 1954. Interment was in Urbana's Oakdale Cemetery, with her pastor Rev. Edward H. Orinson leading the funeral. An obituary appeared in the Urbana Daily Citizen.
Daughter Crissie "Blanche" Gaumer (1868-1955) was born on May 30, 1868 in Urbana. She never married. For many years, she shared a residence with her sister Alice at 235 West Court Street in Urbana. The sisters were active with the Women's Missionary Society of the Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Urbana chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. At one event, held in their home in 1933, the Urbana Daily Citizen reported that "An 'In Memoriam' " membership for Edward Benjamin Gaumer was given by his children, to honor his coming to Urbana, and his many years of service in the local church." She passed away at home at the age of 87 on Feb. 7, 1956. An obituary was printed in the Daily Citizen. Rev. Edward H. Orinson of the family church presided over the funeral rites.
~ Daughter Sarah Ann Gaumer ~
Courtesy Kenneth Schaeffer
Daughter Sarah Ann Gaumer (1829-1891) was born on Nov. 25, 1829 in Macungie, Lehigh County, PA.
Sarah Ann was 17 years of age when she was rendered motherless. She does not appear to have married.
Circa 1871, at the death of their father, Sarah Ann moved to Philadelphia to join her sister Josephine who already had been living there for some time. She appears to have remained in the City of Brotherly Love for the final two decades of her life.
The federal census enumeration of 1880 shows her working as a seamstress and boarding in the household of fruit manufacturer Joseph Overholtzer "Jose" and Almena C. (Nuger) Schimmel.
Her address in 1891 was at 1449 Fawn Street, Philadelphia.
The angel of death cleaved her away at the age of 61 on Jan. 23, 1891. Funeral services were held in her residence, with the body then transported to Macungie. Her remains were lowered in the sacred soil of Solomons Church Cemetery, and a death notice published in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her grave marker was etched in English.
~ Son Charles Madison Gaumer ~
Son Charles Madison Gaumer ( ? - ? ) was born on (?).
Little of his life is known.
He was named in a list of his siblings in a June 16, 1961 article in the Urbana (OH) Daily Citizen.
~ Daughter Josephine Clarissa Gaumer ~
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Solomon's Church Cemetery Courtesy Kenneth Schaeffer |
She was baptized as an infant and was "early taught the principles of faith, which faith she held throughout her life without wavering," said a newspaper. She was only two years of age when her mother died but remained in her widowed father's household in her girlhood.
She is believed to have been confirmed in Solomon's Lutheran Church in Macungie in 1859, at age 15, under the pastorate of Rev. Joshua Yeager.
Josephine never married. In her early years she migrated to Philadelphia, joined by her sister Sarah after the death of their father in 1871. Said a newspaper, "In this family circle was included their nephew, Caleb Gaumer, who tenderly cared for her all these years."
[She] was blessed with a cheerful, sunny disposition that supported her through many trying places in life and kept her strong and courageous. Wherever she lived she won many friends and none loved her more than the children in the families of her nieces and nephews. She loved God's mood and the beautiful hymns. The promises of God were her consolation throughout her life. In her years of strength and activity. She rendered a full measure of service with many quiet deeds of kindness in behalf of others, done without ostentation, but truly meriting the commendation that "she did what she could."
Josephine suffered from chronic heart valve disease. She died in the residence of her nephew Caleb Gaumer in York County near New Cumberland, PA on Oct. 15, 1920, at the age of 76 years, 6 months and 11 days. Her remains were transported to Macungie for funeral services held at the Grace Lutheran Church by the hand of Rev. George W. Fritch. He preached his sermon on 2 Timothy 4:7 -- "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
Her body was lowered into the sacred soil of Solomon's United Church Cemetery.
~ Daughter Sophia (Gaumer) Lentz ~
Daughter Sophia Gaumer (1846-1924) was born in May 1846 in Macungie, Lehigh County.
She grew up in Macungie. Sophia is believed to have been confirmed in Solomon's Lutheran Church in Macungie in 1865, at the age of 18, under the pastorate of Rev. Joshua Yeager. United States Census records for 1870 show the unmarried, 24-year-old Sophia under her parents' roof.
Sophia later moved to Philadelphia, where her two elder sisters were already living.
She tied the marital cord with William P. Lentz (1825-1897). The pair were 14 years apart in age.
Together they bore nine children -- Marion Gaumer Lentz, Winfield Scott Lentz, Herbert W. Lentz, Bertha May Wilkins, Warren Edward Lentz, Robert Thompson Lentz, Elsie Boddy, Mabel Blanche Ford and Maude Adele Burt.
Shortly after their marriage, the newlywed Lentzes moved across the state line into West Deptford near Red Bank, Gloucester County, NJ. There, William was a farmer and known as a butcher. The family continued farming in West Deptford for decades.
The family was plunged into mourning at the deaths of children Marion (age 4) and Winfield (age 3), both in 1875.
William became ill in the winter of 1897 and, after the contracting pneumonia, died five days later at their home near Red Bank on Feb. 11, 1897. The Gloucester County Times reported that he "had only been sick a short time... The relatives and friends and particularly Good Intent Hose, Hook and Ladder Company, No. 2, of Philadelphia, are invited to attend the funeral from his late residence. Carriages will meet the 11 o'clock train from Market street ferry at Woodbury, and interment will be made in Green's Cemetery."
An obituary in the Camden Courier-Post added that he had been "a well-known business man and farmer... [He] carried on a large butchering business, in the rural districts." The Gloucester County Democrat said he had "combined the butchering business with farming, and was an active, earnest, upright citizen."
Sophia survived her husband by 27 years. In 1909-1924, she made her dwelling-place at National Park near Camden.
Stricken with pneumonia, she passed into the arms of the heavenly host at the home of her son Robert at National Park, NJ on Feb. 22, 1924. Burial was in Green Cemetery in Deptford, NJ. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call said she had died "on Washington's birthday." The Camden Courier-Post said she was a "member of one of the oldest families residing in this section..." The Gloucester County Times of Woodbury said that relatives and friends were invited to attend funeral rites at the home of her son Robert at the intersection of Grove and Simpson Avenues.
Some 23 years after Sophia's passing, her children and their families gathered for a reunion picnic at Sunset Park, Almonesson, NJ. Said the Times,
The women served a delicious picnic supper in the park's pavilion and after much eating and much talking the group patronized the park's entertainment facilities. The young people especially enjoyed watching the older folks grabbing for the brass ring on the merry-go-round. The evening's activities concluded with a watermelon party. The family wishes to extend its appreciation to the park management for its attention in making the picnic an enjoyable affair.
Son Herbert Walter Lentz (1874-1952) was born on May 22, 1875 in New Jersey. He entered into marriage with Elizabeth F. Rivell ( ? - ? ).
Daughter Bertha May Lentz (1877-1960) was born in about 1877. She married S.H. Wilkins ( ? - ? ).
Son Warren Edward Lentz (1879-1952) was born in Aug. 1879 in New Jersey.
Son Robert Thompson Lentz (1881-1958) was born in March 1881 in New Jersey. He grew up as a farm laborer. By 1924, he had been appointed postmaster of National Park, NJ. Circa 1924, he lived at the corner of Grove and Simpson Avenues in National Park.
Daughter Elsie Lentz (1883- ? ) was born in Nov. 1883. She tied the knot with (?) Boddy ( ? - ? ).
Daughter Mabel Blanche Lentz (1887-1966) was born in Aug. 1887. The Camden Courier-Post said that in her young womanhood, she was "a member of the younger social circle of the city and has a host of warm friends." She was employed with the Haddonfield branch of Bell Telephone. While visiting the Alpha Club summer camp at National Park, she met her future husband. Mabel first was joined in wedlock on March 26, 1913 with William Clayton Story (March 26, 1887- ? ). Announcements in the Camden Morning Post pictured the couple's portraits and said that William was "popular in social circles in South Camden." The Courier-Post noted that the groom "was formerly engaged in the furniture business [and] is at present the proprietor of a downtown hat store and is a most active member of the Business Men's Improvement Association. For some years he has successfully guided the activities of the Alpha Club as its president and was only recently re-elected to serve another year." She wore "a stunning gown of white crepe meteor," said the Courier-Post, "trimmed with rose point lace and carrying white bridal roses and sweet peas..." Later, she tied the marital cord with Frank Ford ( ? - ? ).
Daughter Maude Adele Lentz (1889-1918) was born in Nov. 1889. She wed Clinton Burt ( ? - ? ).
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Copyright © 2000, 2015, 2016, 2018-2020, 2026 Mark A. Miner |
| Myrtle (Knepper) Weniger's work, The Gaumer Family and Allied Lines, has contributed to this biography. |