|
Elias Gaumer |
|
Elias' grave, Solomon's Church Courtesy Kenneth Schaeffer |
Elias entered into marriage with Sophia Christman (Sept. 23, 1814-1908), daughter of Macungie hotel keepers George and Sarah (Fegely) Christman. Once source gives their wedding date as Dec. 27, 1835, possibly in Millerstown, PA.
During their brief marriage, the couple produced two children, Ann "Caroline" Wentzel and Maria Desch.
Sadness cascaded over the family when, on on July 15, 1842, Elias died at the age of 31 years, 9 months and 11 days in Macungie. The cause of his passing is not yet known. His remains were placed into repose in the Solomons Lutheran Church burying ground in Macungie, today known as the United Church of Christ Cemetery. His grave marker stands erect and legible today, although blackened with age. [Find-a-Grave]
The widowed Sophia, age 28, went on in 1848 to marry a second time to Henry Gabriel (1812-1887), an immigrant who arrived in 1839 from Herborn, Germany. He had been married before, to Cornelia Eggert/Eckert ( ? - ? ), and Sophia became stepmother to his two children, William H. Gabriel and Ellen T. "Ella" Gabriel.
They also bore eight children of their own, among them George Gabriel, Sarah "Sadie" Lodge, Anna Helwig, Milton Gabriel, Mary Alice Deeths, Henrietta Gabriel, Emma Wilhelmina Gabriel and John Oscar Gabriel.
The mixture of the combined families totaled at least a dozen offspring.
The Gabriels relocated into the city of Allentown in 1850, and became occupants of a home at 704 Lawrence Street. There, Henry founded the Allentown Mills, also known as Henry Gabriel's Sons, "which he operated very successfully for many years," said the Allentown Leader. It was located "along the Little Lehigh at the foot of Water Street," said the Allentown Morning Call. Initially, the plant produced bedspreads, blankets, flannels and yarns. But it was destroyed by fire in August 1873.
 |
In 1848, Elias's widow Sophia married Henry Gabriel, founder of this mill, along the Little Lehigh River. |
|
Sophia's grave, Fairview Cem Courtesy Chuck Schubert |
Henry is said to have captured first prize for his products at the Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876.
The family belonged to the Zion Reformed Church.
At the age of 75, Henry died on Oct. 16, 1887.
Sophia outlived her second husband by more than two decades, remaining in her home with her unmarried daughter Emma at 704 Lawrence Street. At her 91st birthday, in 1905, the Allentown Morning Call reported that she "is still hale and hearty." Then at her 93rd birthday, the Morning Call said she was "in the best of health outside of a weakness of the limbs due to her advanced years [and] is unable to leave her room and occupies a large rocking chair. Her hearing is acute, her eyesight is good and her appetite is of the best."
Suffering from pneumonia, she passed into eternity on St. Patrick's Day 1908, at the age of 93. Rev. H.M. Klein and Rev. F.C. Seitz jointly led the funeral service. She sleeps for all time in Fairview Cemetery in Allentown.
~ Daughter Maria (Gaumer) Desch ~
Daughter Maria E. Gaumer (1836-1909) was born on Feb. 3, 1836 in Macungie.
She married Rev. Henry Desch (1823-1882).
The couple dwelled on a farm in Upper Milford Township and Macungie and bore seven known offspring -- Wilson G. Desch, Charles H. Desch, Alfred G. Desch, Morris E. Desch, Sophie Weaver, Anna Miller and Mary A. Desch.
Mourning shrouded the family at Henry's death in 1883.
The widowed Maria continued on for another 26 years and moved to Allentown in about 1888. She dwelled at 831 Jackson Street and held a membership in the German Baptist Church. Having suffered a stroke and then contracting pneumonia, Maria passed away at the age of 72 on Jan. 25, 1909. Funeral rites were conducted by Rev. Klein in her residence with regular services presided by Rev. B.F. Fahr at the local Baptist Church. Burial was in the church cemetery, and F.A. Fetherold signed the death certificate. The Allentown Leader printed an obituary.
Son Wilson G. Desch (1860-1928) was born in 1860 in Upper Milford Township. He served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War. He rose to the rank of sergeant in Company B of the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry, commanded by Capt. Joseph A. Medler. Upon his return home, he earned a living for many years as a carpenter in Allentown. He also spent a dozen years with the National Guard. He was a member of the George H. Schwartz Camp No. 2 of the Spanish War Veterans, the Emmaus lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and the Carpenters' and Joiners' Union. It was only when becoming ill that he was forced to retire. In the 1920s, he resided at 821 Jackson Street. For the last five years of his life, Wilson endured an enlarged heart. He died on or about March 25, 1926. Rev. Simon Sipple officiated the rites. Burial was in the Macungie Baptist Church Cemetery. The Allentown Morning Call ran an obituary.
Son Charles H. Desch (1863-1938) was born on March 31, 1863 in Upper Milford Township. On April 21, 1888, at the age of 25, he exchanged vows of marriage with Matilda Kleckner (April 4, 1864- ? ), daughter of Tilghman and Angelina Kleckner. The nuptials were performed by Rev. Alfred J.G. Dobbs in the parsonage of the Salem Reformed Church. Three children of their union were C. Henry Desch, Lillian E. Desch and Paul T. Desch. Charles at one time operated a bakery with his brother Alfred. He joined the Allentown Police Department in 1911, appointed by Mayor Charles W. Rinn. He served as a night sergeant and later as a desk sergeant in 1928. He is known to have enjoyed his first automobile ride in May 1908 as a passenger of former fire chief Charles D. Grim. Reported the Allentown Morning Call, "He was whizzed from his home to the police station in great style by his host and had one of the best times of his life." He also raised a flock of 19 chickens which in January 1912 laid a total of 247 eggs. Charles is credited as originating the finger-printing system in the police department. He retired in 1932 after 26 years of public service, with his final role as clerk in the chief's office. A United Press story said that he served on the force all those years "without ever having worn a patrolman's shield and without ever having pounded a beat." He belonged to the Queen City Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Firemen's Relief Association and the Lehigh lodge of the Odd Fellows. They endured the death of adult daughter Lillian in 1926. The couple quietly marked their golden wedding anniversary in April 1938. Sadly, Charles died in Oct. 1938. Rev. J.J. Schaeffer, of the Trinity Reformed Church, led the obsequies, followed by burial of the remains in Greenwood Cemetery. Fellow police officers serving as pallbearers were Willard Thomas, A.C. Miller, Wayne Elliott, Earl Grim, Francis McCafferty and Walter Larimer. The Allentown Morning Call issued an obituary accompanied by his photograph.
Son Alfred G. Desch (1869-1944) was born four days before Christmas 1869 in Upper Milford Township. He dwelled in Allentown for about half a century. He and his brother Charles at one time jointly operated a baker. In later years he helped his brother Morris, a locksmith. His memberships included the Zion Reformed Church and the Lehigh lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Alfred's last address was with his brother Morris and sister Mary at 831 Jackson Street. After an illness of five weeks' duration, he passed away at the age of 74 on June 2, 1944. An obituary appeared in the Allentown Morning Call. Burial was in the Macungie Baptist Church cemetery, with Rev. Simon Sipple officiating.
Son Morris E. Desch (1871-1964) was born in 1871 in Upper Milford Township and grew up on the family farm. He was a lifelong bachelor. For 23 years, Morris earned a living as a power saw operator and cabinet bench laborer at the Yeager Furniture factory. Then in 1915, he opened his own shop on 9th Avenue between Walnut and Hamilton. Then in 1923 he moved the business to 831 Jackson Street, fronting on Hickory Street. He worked entailed "repairing, rebuilding, refurnishing and refitting all sorts of tools, appliances and firearms," said a 1948 story in the Allentown Morning Call.
Over the years, he constantly found it necessary to acquire new skills -- and all his skills were self taught. He tells for instance, of the first cylinder lock, of the Yale type for which he was asked to make keys. He knew nothing of such locks and keys. It took him more than a week to take the lock apart, design a key and make it, then put the lock together again. Years ago he sharpened skates, lawnmowers, saws of all types, sickles, scythes, chisels, knives. In recent years he stopped sharpening skates and later stopped repairing and sharpening lawn mowers because of the hard work entailed by the latter. But he continued duplicating keys, repairing locks and doing a hundred and one such mechanical jobs. He became an able gunsmith and did much work on various types of firearms... When, several weeks ago, he decided to retire, he began selling shop tools and fixtures, and yesterday had but a few saws and a key-cutter left in the building.
He was assisted in the locksmith work by his brother Alfred, and the two shared a dwelling-place along with their sister Mary. He retired in June 1948 after working in the shop for 33 years, and sold his home, shop and tools. His last homeplace was at 127 North West Street, Allentown. Death spirited him away at the age of 94 on Oct. 8, 1964. An obituary was published in the Morning Call.
Daughter Sophie Margaret Desch ( ? - ? ) was born in Upper Milford Township. She was united in matrimony with Elmer C. Weaver ( ? - ? ). Elmer brought a stepson to the family, Earl L. Weaver. The pair went on to bear two more children of their own -- Mrs. Henry A. Kern and Helen A. Balliet. They planted themselves in Allentown and remained for good, over the span of six-plus decades. She belonged to the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church, the Phoebe Home Auxiliary and the home department of the Zion Sunday School. Their final address together was at 226 South Franklin Street. Sophie was enveloped in death at the age of 78 on June 26, 1951. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call said she "had been ill for 28 years... [and] had been a resident of Allentown for 62 years."
Daughter Anna E. "Annie" Desch (1877-1948) was born on Sept. 9, 1877 in Upper Milford Township. She did not marry until middle age. On Aug. 30, 1925, in Slatington, Lehigh County, the 48-year-old Annie entered into marriage with widower Reuben Hiskey Miller (Aug. 14, 1863-1945). He was a native of Old Zionsville, Lehigh County, and the son of Peter J. and Sarah (Hiskey) Miller, whose first wife Minnie Louisa Myers had died in June 1904. Annie and Reuben did not reproduce. Reuben had left home at the age of 19 and moved to Ohio, where he ran a hardware business in Bellevue and Delta, OH. He eventually returned to Lehigh County in 1919, where he was proprietor of the Emmaus Hardware Company store for 20 years, with Annie assisting, and retiring in 1943. Reuben belonged to the Zionsville Lutheran Church, the Norwalk (OH) lodge of the Odd Fellows and the Norwalk Commandery of the Knights Templar. She was a member of the Zion Reformed Church, Allentown. In February 1945, with his health in decline, they moved to Allentown, at the address of 127 North West Street. Reuben died there at the age of 81 on July 30, 1945. Interment was under the sod of Zionsville Cemetery, with Rev. David C. Kaufman and Rev. Dr. Simon Sipple jointly leading the obsequies. His obituary was published in the Allentown Morning Call. The widowed Annie remained at 127 North West Street and provided a home there for her unmarried siblings Morris and Mary. But ironically, she was seriously ill and became bedfast in August 1948, although holding on to reach her 71st birthday in early September. She was cleaved away by the grim reaper of death on Sept. 26, 1948.
Daughter Mary A. Desch ( ? -1958) was born in Upper Milford Township. She spent the majority of her life in Allentown, including 57 years in a residence at 831 Jackson Street. Said the Allentown Morning Call, she "was a seamstress and dressmaker there, sewing for old families in the city." She held a membership in the Zion United Church of Christ. Her last dwelling-place was at 127 North West Street with her brother Morris. She died at the age of 92 on Feb. 8, 1958. Her entire estate of $4,000 was left to a sole heir, her brother.
~ Daughter Ann "Caroline" (Gaumer) Wentzel ~
Daughter Ann "Caroline" Gaumer ( ? -1901) was born in (?). Her name also has been spelled "Carolyn."
She tied the marital cord with German immigrant Charles G. Wentzel (1824-1907), who had originated in Groesschonenau, Saxony and arrived in America in 1853. The family name was Americanized to "Wenzel" over the years.
The Wentzels lived in the Eighth Ward. Their brood of offspring included William Wentzel, Christine Wentzel, Mrs. George Reinhard, Henry Wentzel, Frank Wentzel, Carrie Wentzel, George Wentzel and Agnes E. Schlegel.
Charles earned a living as a carpet weaver. He was active in local politics, as a school board director and on the Select Council of the ward. They were members of Zion Reformed Church, and at one time taught in the infant department of the Sunday School. He also belonged to the Lecha Castle of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Their address was 440 North Seventh Street.
Charles became seriously ill in mid-1899 and was off work for 20 weeks. Fortunately, he recovered.
Sadly, at the age of 64 years, five months and eight days, Caroline passed into eternity on Sept. 28, 1901. The Allentown Morning Call said that she "was sick only since Tuesday, having on the day previous participated in a family gathering at her home. She was a devoted member of the Zion Reformed Church." Funeral services were held in the family home. An obituary in the Morning Call invited "relatives, friends and the Beneficial Society of Zion's Reformed Church" to attend the funeral, to be led by Rev. T.J. Hacker. Burial was in Allentown Cemetery.
Charles outlived his wife by six years. For the last five years of his life, Charles shared a home with his married daughter Mrs. George Reinhard. He suffered a stroke and died several days later at the age of 83 on Sept. 24, 1907. Co-officiating at his funeral service were Rev. H.M.J. Klein and Rev. I.F. Bergstresser. An obituary in the Allentown Leader said he "was the last of his family."
Son William A. Wenzel (1860-1924) was born on Oct. 14, 1860 in Allentown. He tied the marital cord with Mary Ann Hoffman (1861-1948). Together, they produced a trio of offspring -- Annie C. Wenzel (1884-1966), Charles Wenzel and Edward Wenzel. William worked for years a postal letter carrier/mailman in Allentown. He was considered "among the most popular and widely known local postal employes," said a newspaper. "For a period of thirty-three years he served the people of this city faithfully and conscientiously... For twenty-five years previous to his retirement, Mr. Wenzel daily distributed the mail in District 9, that territory lying between Fifth and Sixth streets north to Washington street. He was greatly loved by the residents of that section, many of whom were intimate friends. In all his years as a letter carrier his honesty and integrity was never known to be questioned by either his superiors or those whom he served so well." He held a membership in the Zion Reformed Church, Franklin Chamber of the Knights of Friendship, and Branch 393 of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Their address was 1020 Chew Street. At the age of 64, death spirited him away in Allentown on Nov. 12, 1924. Burial was in the Union and West End Cemetery. Members of the local Letter Carriers association attended the funeral in a body.
Daughter Christine Wenzel (1862-1945) was born on Nov. 16, 1862 in Allentown during the Civil War years. She did not marry and spent her entire life in the city. In earlier years her address was 704 Lawrence Street. She was a member of the Zion Reformed Church and its Ladies Bible Class. In the mid-1940s, she shared a home at 226 South Franklin Street with her unmarried aunt, longtime teacher Ellen Gabriel. In her later years she was burdened with senility and heart failure. After a fall down a flight of stairs in August 1945, at the age of 82, she lingered for several weeks until dying on Sept. 3, 1945. An obituary appeared in the Allentown Morning Call. She sleeps for all time in Linden Street Cemetery, joined there in death by her sister Carrie in 1949.
Daughter Mary A. Wentzel (1865-1947) was born on Nov. 30, 1865. Circa 1882, she married George F. Reinhard (Aug. 11, 1861-1924), son of Tilghman and Fianna (Fritzinger) Reinhard of Allentown. Their two daughters were Edna Reinbold and Carrie E. Peters. George earned a living for decades as a postman. Their home address was 820 Liberty Street, and they belonged to the Ebenezer Evangelical Church. Sadly, at the age of 62, he passed away in Allentown on Feb. 17, 1924. Burial was in Union and West End Cemetery. He was pictured in his obituary in the Allentown Morning Call, which called him:
For thirty-three years a city mail carrier, well known and highly esteemed in the community and an active worker and drill master in military ranks of local secret orders... Undergoing an operation last June he was granted a leave of absence, returning to work during the Christmas rush at the post office. Less than a week later complications set in, retiring him to his home, and which resulted in his death yesterday. He was particularly well known over his route which he carried for years in the section immediately south of Hamilton street in the vicinity of Fifth and Sixth and Union streets. Deceased was affiliated with several orders in which his activities inclined towards drill manuals in which he long ago proved himself adept. He made a close study of the subject and his enterprises resulted in the gratifying efficiency enjoyed in several of his most recent squads. Some years ago his success began with Franklin Chamber, No. 9, Knights of Friendship with the highly efficient military unit of the body which he captained. Mr. Reinhard was affiliated with practically all Masonic bodies... He was for the last five years adjutant and drill master of Allen Commandery and also captain and drill master of the Rangers, the Tall Cedars' degree teams. The commendations received frm wherever demonstrations of these bodies appeared invariably cited his efforts.
The widowed Mary outlived her spouse by 23 years and dwelled at 228 Lehigh Street. She continued her membership in the Ebenezer congregation, the Allen auxiliary of the Knights Templar and the Mary Livingston chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. She endured hypertension and hardening of the heart artery. The angel of death spirited her away on New Year's Eve 1947 at the age of 82. An obituary was printed in the Morning Call.
Son Henry Wentzel ( ? - ? ) made a homeplace in Allentown in 1924.
Son Frank J. Wentzel ( ? -1939) moved to West Orange, NJ and was there in 1901. He entered into marriage with Miriam Reiss (1877-1919), daughter of Tilghman and Rebecca (Seiple) Reiss. (Her maiden name was Americanized to "Rice.") Their brood of five included Carolyn Coffield, Franklin Wenzel, Florence Hackman, Eugene Wenzel and Robert Wenzel. By 1919, they had returned to Allentown, with a homeplace located at 345 North Fifth Street. They were members of Zion Reformed Church, and he belonged to the Pioneer and Liberty fire departments. Sadness swept over the family when, just a few weeks before her 43rd birthday, Miriam died from "a complication of diseases" on March 23, 1919, said the Allentown Morning Call. The causes of her passing were heart and kidney disease. Frank survived his bride by two decades. On the fateful evening in October 1939, he was struck by an automobile at the corner of Seventh and Allen Streets in town. With his skull fractured and internal bleeding, he was rushed to Sacred Heart Hospital and died there the next afternoon, Oct. 22, 1939. An obituary was printed in the Allentown Morning Call. Burial of the remains was in Fairview Cemetery.
Daughter Carrie Wenzel (1869-1949) was born on June 13, 1869. She never married. Her homeplace for decades was in Allentown, with an address in 1949 with her brother George at 830 Liberty Street. Carrie held a membership in the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church and its Ira Erdman Bible Class as well as the sewing society and ladies auxiliary of the Phoebe Home. She was in failing health for the last three years of her life. At the age of 79, she was hospitalized in January 1949 and died on Feb. 15, 1949. She sleeps at the side of her sister Christine in Linden Street Cemetery. The Allentown Morning Call ran an obituary.
Son George Wenzel ( ? - ? ) dwelled in Allentown in the early 1900s-1948. He shared a home with his unmarried sister Carrie in the late 1940s at 830 Liberty Street.
Daughter Agnes Wentzel (1873-1909) was born on St. Patrick's Day 1873 in Allentown. She wedded John Schlegel (Nov. 14, 1876-1941), son of Christian and Margaret (Seebald) Schlegel. Six children of this family were Herbert Schlegel, Henry Schlegel, Paul Schlegel, Carl Schlegel, Margaret Welte and John Schlegel. The pair made a home in Allentown in 1901, and their address in 1909 was 539 North Jordan. Agnes in her mid-30s developed inflammation of the gallbladder ("cholecystitis"), infection of an obstructed kidney ("pyronephrisis") and toxic inflammation of the abdomen ("peritonitis"). She was treated for a month in Allentown Hospital and surrendered to the angel of death on Oct. 6, 1909. Rev. W.A. Lambert, of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, conducted services in both German and English in the Schlegel residence. The Allentown Morning Call reported that the pillow in her casket was lettered "Asleep," and provided by the widower and children; broken circle on mound lettered "Sister" from her brothers and sisters; cross on easel from her parents-in-law; white carnations from her sister-in-law Elizabeth; wreath on easel from the employees of the weaving department of Givernaud Silk Mill; broken circle, lettered "Gone but not forgotten" from neighbors; roses from niece Anna; and carnations and chrysanthemums from a host of family and friends. Among other gifts were a wax hand bouquet from Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Erwine, basket of mixed flowers from the Schoudt family; basket of roses and carnations from uncles and aunts; and a slumber robe by Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Schlegel. Interment was in the West End Cemetery. She left behind her six children, the eldest of whom was 13 years of age. The widowed John married again to Lydia Mueller ( ? - ? ). A textile worker, he earned a living with Silk Fabrics Corporation. He maintained his membership in St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the rest of his life. Toward the end of his life, he went to live with his son John Jr. at 925 East Sycamore Street in town. There, at the age of 65, he died on Feb. 5, 1941. The Morning Call published an obituary.
~ Sophia's Stepson William H. Gabriel ~
Sophia's stepson William H. Gabriel (1844- ? ) was born in about 1844.
At the age of 16, in 1860, he was an apprentice machinist working in his father's wool mills.
He did not marry.
~ Sophia's Stepdaughter Ellen T. Gabriel ~
Sophia's stepdaughter Ellen T. Gabriel (1847- ? ) was born in about 1847. She was a teacher in Allentown from 1867 to 1919 and was pictured and featured in the Aug. 11, 1936 edition of the Morning Call.
~ Sophia's Son George Gabriel ~
Sophia's son George Gabriel (1850- ? ) was born in 1850.
Nothing more about him is known.
~ Sophia's Daughter Sarah "Sadie" (Gabriel) Lodge ~
Sophia's daughter Sarah "Sadie" Gabriel (1851- ? ) was born in 1851.
She was united in the bonds of matrimony with Charles V. Lodge ( ? - ? ).
Their children were Henry Lodge, Mary Lodge, John Lodge, George Lodge and Harold Helwig "Harry" Lodge and perhaps also Benjamin Lodge.
~ Sophia's Daughter Anna M. (Gabriel) Helwig ~
Sophia's Daughter Anna M. Gabriel (1852-1934) was born on May 27, 1852.
She was joined in wedlock with Elias O. Helwig ( ? - ? ).
In her widowed years she made a home with her presumed son John R. Helwig at 102 South Madison Street. At the age of 82, she died of a stroke on June 29, 1934. Interment of the remains was in Fairview Cemetery, and son John signed the death certificate.
 |
| Milton's bio, Historic Homes and Institutions Courtesy Google Books |
Sophia's son Milton Stephen Gabriel (1853- ? ) was born in 1853.
He is profiled a length in the 1905 book Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, volume 2, co-authored by John Woolf Jordan, Edgar Moore Green and George Taylor Ettinger.
~ Sophia's Daughter Mary "Alice" (Gabriel) Deeths ~
Sophia's daughter Mary "Alice" Gabriel (1855-1882) was born in about 1855.
She married George W. Deeths ( ? - ? ). The couple did not reproduce.
Grief overcame the family when Alice contracted tubercular spinal meningitis and died on March 31, 1882, at the age of 27 years, two months and 10 days. A death notice appeared in the Allentown Democrat.
~ Sophia's Daughter Henrietta Gabriel ~
Sophia's daughter Henrietta Gabriel (1856- ? ) was born in 1856.
She did not marry.
~ Sophia's Daughter Emma Wilhelmina Gabriel ~
Sophia's daughter Emma Wilhelmina Gabriel (1858-1912) was born on June 4, 1858.
She never married. For many years, she dwelled with her widowed mother at 704 Lawrence Street in Allentown.
At the age of 54, suffering from tuberculosis and having lapsed into a uremic coma, she died in Allentown on Nov. 3, 1912.
~ Sophia's Son John Oscar Gabriel ~
Sophia's son John Oscar Gabriel (1859- ? ) was born in late 1859 or early 1860. He was joined in holy wedlock with Kathryn Guiley ( ? - ? ). The couple did not reproduce.
|
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. |