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James Aaron Gaumer |
James Aaron Gaumer was born on Jan. 30, 1840 in Macungie, Lehigh County, PA, the son of Charles B. "Carl" and Lucy Ann (Snyder) Gaumer of the family of Friedrich "Frederick" and Salome "Sallie" (Däsch) Gaumer.
He is believed to have been confirmed in Solomon's Lutheran Church in Macungie in 1859, under the pastorate of Rev. Joshua Yeager. He is known to have grown up with boyhood friends Charles A. Klotz and Frank H. Rems and remained in contact with them over the balance of his life. The two considered James as a "strictly moral, temperate and church man..."
As an adult, he stood 5 feet, 4¾ inches tall.
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| Dry Tortugas, FL, where James was posted in 1863 and 1864 |
James served in the Union Army during the Civil War, enlisting on Sept. 11, 1862. He was placed within the 47th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G holding the rank of private and his role as a musician. James was detached from his regiment and sent to Florida where from October 1863 to April 1864 was posted at the Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas 70 miles from Key West. There, the Army held a large body of Confederate deserters. James received his honorable discharge in Harrisburg, PA on June 1, 1865.
He was twice-wed. On Nov. 19, 1865, he first married Susanna Charlotte Bair (1841-1880). The ceremony was held in the parsonage of the Emmaus Moravian Church, by the hand of Rev. Henry C. Bachman.
They were the parents of these known children, Lucy Charlotte Stoner, Mary Martha Gaumer, Apollo Theopolis Gaumer, Emma K. Gaumer and twins Albert Gaumer and Caleb Gaumer.
United States Census records for 1870 show the young family in Lower Macungie, with James having no occupation. During the decade of the 1870s, the Gaumers relocated to York County, PA where they farmed in Newberry Township.
Sadly, at the age of 38 years, 6 months and 20 days, Susanna passed away in York County on April 17, 1880. An obituary in the Allentown Democrat said "She was a most estimable woman -- a loving wife, a pleasant and agreeable friend, a lady whom no one spoke of but in terms of praise. Sad, sad, indeed, are the hearts of those she left behind."
James was left to raise five children ranging in age from five to 14. He outlived Susanna by 11 years and on April 1, 1883 married a second time to Catherine (Abel) Hahn ( ? - ? ), widow of Richard Hahn ( ? -1878). Performing the marriage ritual, in Philadelphia, was Rev. E.F. Sergisson, of the Second Advent Church. A certificate of their union was made, and many years later, as a widow, Catherine produced it to show to a government investigator to prove the legitimacy of her marriage.
The death of Catherine's first spouse Hahn in 1878 took place in Easton. His funeral service was led by Rev. Reinich of the Reformed Church, and her brother-in-law Charles King is known to have attended the event.
Catherine brought two stepchildren into the union, Tilghman Oscar Hahn and Ellen Matilda (Hahn) Lerch (1857-1893), with a third child already in the grave, Sarah Allice Hahn (1858-1860). She did not know how to read or write and signed her name with an "X." She inherited a dower in her first husband's real estate, consisting of a house and lot in Easton. When the house was sold, by order of the Orphans Court, the new owner agreed to pay her an annual residual amount which, as of the early 1890s, was a sum of $31.31 a year.
The family again was plunged into mourning at the death of daughter Emma at age 10 years and 2 months on Jan. 27, 1882. The girl's body was interred in Solomon's Church Cemetery.
Their longtime home together was at 309 North Tenth Street. James as he aged became quite infirm. He exhibited a constant cough, vertigo, indigestion, hemorrhoids and rheumatism. Recalled Catherine, he "complained of heart troubles every since their marriage... That he used to put his hand at the regions of the heart when excited. The symptoms were a choking sensation in his throat and shortness of breath."
Wrote his son Albert, "He did not like to make use prior to high necessity for help for government priviledge so waited until entirely unable to work so I supported the family until his demise." In May 1892, the old soldier filed an application to receive a military pension. [Invalid App. No.1.109.837] He underwent a physical examination by military surgeons in July 1892 in Allentown, and at the time weighed just 106 lbs. Within three months he was dead, and the pension matter was still pending at the time and thus was not approved
Death spirited him away in their dwelling in Allentown on Oct. 20, 1892. The body was transported back to Macungie for burial at Solomon's Church Cemetery. Among the mourners attending the funeral were Frank H. Rems and Catherine's brother-in-law Charles King of Allentown. His grave initially was not marked, but in time a standard-issue military stone was installed at the site. In his will, James stipulated that "I give and... bequeathe [sic] to my beloved wife Catharine all my household furniture & my library in my mansion also my dwelling house land and its appurtenances situated in the city of Allentown."
Catharine then applied for a widow's pension, and it was granted. [Widow App. No. 563.081 - Cert. No. 391.277] Her sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Charles King, as well as friend Frank H. Rems, stepped forward to provide affidavits of support of her claim.
She remained in Allentown for good. Sadly, she lost her adult daughter Ellen Matilda Lerch in her mid-30s in July 1893. Son Tilghman purchased a $200 certificate of deposit on her behalf in the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company, although she did not know its name and once told a government investigator that it might be the Second National Bank. She could not access the principal but was allowed to receive the annual three percent interest as income.
Catherine endured a severe ventral hernia, making it virtually impossible for her to perform laborious work. Once, in 1894, while trying to shake out a carpet one morning, the hernia emerged and she was forced to lie down until it retracted. During those last years, she shared a home with her teenage stepson Albert, who paid her a weekly rent of $3.70. She also took on seamstress work to generate income.
Sadly, less than two weeks before her 86th birthday, she surrendered to the angel of death on Feb. 10 or 11, 1923. An obituary appeared in the Allentown Morning Call,which said her demise was caused by "ailments incident to old age." Rev. Brian B. Musselman presided over the funeral held at the Gaumer home. Burial was next to her first husband Hahn in Forks Church Cemetery near Tatamy in Northampton County. Among the floral tributes were carnations from granddaughter Grace; carnations from Frank and family; and a pillow from the family bearing the inscription "Mother." The family also furnished a slumber robe.
~ Stepdaughter Ellen Matilda (Hahn) Lerch ~
Stepdaughter Ellen Matilda (Hahn) Lerch (1857-1893) was born in 1857.
In 1875, at the age of about 18, she exchanged sacred vows of marriage with Easton native Philip George Leerch (1954-1923).
Two knowns son of the coupling were Edward Richard Lerch and Raymond T. Lerch.
They made their dwelling-place in Allentown at 439 North 10th Street.
Grief cascaded over the family when 11-year-old son Raymond died in Allentown on June 17, 1890. The Allentown Morning Call printed a death notice. His remains were laid to rest in West End Cemetery.
Their heartache compounded at Ellen's passing in her mid-30s in July 1893. The cause of her demise is not known. No obituary appears to have been published in local newspapers.
The widowed Philip and his son Edward made their way west to Illinois, settling in about 1908 in Dixon, Lee County.
Suffering from chronic kidney disease, he died at age 68 on Jan. 28, 1923. Funeral rites were held in the Palmyra Church, and interment was in the Palmyra Cemetery. Said the Dixon Evening Telegraph, "Owing to illness in the family, the seervices will be strictly private."
Son Edward Richard Lerch (1877-1955).
~ Stepson Tilghman Oscar Hahn ~
Stepson Tilghman Oscar Hahn (1864-1944) was born in 1864.
He may have married Anna E. ( ? - ? ).
The couple's duo of children were Russell Tilghman Hahn and Grace Skillman.
Tilghman made a living over many years as a coal dealer.
In 1891, in Bayonne, NJ, he and Frederick J. Suermann were initiated into the Royal Secret by the local council of the Royal Arcanum, a non-profit fraternal benefit society providing life insurance to members. He moved up in the organization and by 1899 was elected treasurer. They are known to have hosted meetings of the Arcanum at their home in 1902 at 43rd Street, Jersey City.
The Hahns made their homeplace in 1909 at 32 East 43rd Street, Bayonne, a waterfront industrial city. In 1923 they were in Westfield, NJ at the address of 636 South Avenue. His final dwelling was at 29 Ewing Street.
Evidence suggests that Tilghman's second spouse, in 1927, was Grace Nelson (Hall) Reese (1868-1956). She brought two stepsons into the mix, Stanley H. Reese and C. Elwood Reese, with a third dead, Walter Dilts Reese (1894-1918), having succumbed to disease during World War I, as a soldier of the 311th Infantry at Camp Dix, NJ.
In about 1933, the Hahns moved into the home of daughter Grace Skillman at 921 Carteret Avenue and stayed for good.
Sadly, Tilghman died on Jan. 11, 1944. His obituary was printed in the Trenton Evening Times. His funeral rites were held in the chapel at Easton Cemetery. At the time, he had four grandsons serving in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army during World War II.
Grace soldiered on for another dozen years. Said the Evening Times, "She was an active member of the Happy Hours group in this city." She was gathered away into the heavenly host at the age of 88, in Cranford, NJ, on Nov. 3 1956. The Evening Times carried her obituary.
Son Russell Tilghman Hahn ( ? - ? ) - He was a "well-known and popular young businessman," said a newspaper. On May 19, 1909, he was united in matrimony with Sarah Henrietta Robinson ( ? - ? ), daughter of Thomas Henry Robinson of 13 West 35th Street, Bayonne. Reported the Jersey City (NJ) Observer, "The prettily flower-bedecked parlors of the parsonage on Avenue C, of Christ Presbyterian church, of Upper Beyonne, wre the scene last evening of a quiet and pretty wedding. The marriage ceremony was solemnized by the pastor of the church, Rev. Harry Nesbit, in the presence of a few of the immediate friends of the happy young contracting couple." The newlyweds' first home together was in an apartment at 910 Broadway in Bayonne. By 1944, they had moved to Westfield, NJ.
Daughter Grace Hahn was joined in wedlock with Edgar G. Skillman. Circa 1912, they were planted in Lawrenceville, NJ. The couple relocated to Trenton by 1944.
~ Lucy Charlotte (Gaumer) Stoner ~
Daughter Lucy Charlotte Gaumer (1866-1959) was born on Aug. 11, 1866 in Lehigh County, PA.
Lucy took as her husband Calvin C. Stoner ( ? - ? ).
Seven children produced by this couple were Paul G. Stoner, Silvanus D. Stoner, Caleb P. Stoner, Clarence G. Stoner, Robert T. Stoner, Mrs. James B. Fletcher and Suzanne Charlotte Ritter.
She moved to Harrisburg, PA and was there in 1923. She belonged to the Carlisle Christian Science Church.
By 1959, as a newly made widow, Lucy dwelled in Shiremanstown, Cumberland County at 213 East Main Street. She died at the age of 92 on May 18, 1959, in a hospital in Mechanicsburg. The headcount of her survivors included 21 grandchildren. An obituary in the Harrisburg Patriot News said that a Christian Science ceremony would be held followed by interment in St. John's Cemetery.
Son Paul G. Stoner resided in Camp Hill, PA in 1959.
Son Silvanus D. Stoner (1899-2001) was born on Sept. 11, 1899 in Cumberland County, PA. He married Jennie May Bishop (1897-1969) and settled in New Cumberland, PA. Together they bore a brood of at least six -- Evalynn Ruth "Lynn" Mundew, Margaret May "Dorothy" Hunter, Miriam A. Wilson, Sylvanus W. Stoner, Betty Jane Sheetz and Edgar Allen "Cy" Stoner. Sadly, Jennie May surrendered to the angel of death in 1969. Silvanus died in Harrisburg at the age of 101 on June 9, 2001. Burial was in Paddletown Cemetery in Newberrytown, York County.
Son Caleb P. Stoner made his home in 1959 in Lemoyne, PA.
Son Clarence G. Stoner (1901-1994) was born on June 25, 1901. He lived in Shiremanstown, PA. Clarence was joined in matrimony with Blanche V. Fisher (1907-1990). They became the parents of Fred Earl Stoner, Edwin D. Stoner and a son who died in infancy in 1927. Said an obituary, Clarence was the "founder and president of Stoner Beverage Co. of Harrisburg; a five-term member of the state House of Representatives from Cumberland County; a member of Shiremanstown United Methodist Church, a former board member of the church, a Men's Bible Class teacher, and a choir member; a member of Eureka Lodge 302, Free and Accepted Masons, Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg Consistory and Zembo Temple; a former board member of Commonwealth National Bank and Shiremanstown National Bank; a former president of Shiremanstown Borough Council; and former president of the Keystone Bottlers Association.." Clarence's final dwelling-place was in Leader Nursing and Rehabilitation Center West in Camp Hill. The spirit of death whisked him away into eternity at the age of 92 on April 9, 1994. His remains are in repose in Saint John's Cemetery in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Son Robert Titus Stoner (1905-1977) was born on Sept. 2, 1905 in Cumberland County. He put down roots in Shiremanstown, PA. Robert was united in wedlock in 1928 with Charlotte Starr (Nov. 10, 1905-2005). One known son was Allen Lee Stoner, who sadly died at the age of three in 1931. Robert passed away on Nov. 17, 1977 at the age of 72. Burial was under the sod of Saint Johns Cemetery, Mechanicsburg. Charlotte survived her husband by 28 years. She died on Oct. 21, 2005.
Daughter (?) Stoner wed James B. Fletcher. In 1959, they were in Towson, MD.
Daughter Suzanne Charlotte Stoner (1908-1998) was born on Feb. 2, 1908 in New Kingstown, Cumberland County, PA. She was an alumna of Mechanicsburg High School. Suzanne first was joined in wedlock on June 18, 1929 with William Ray Ritter (1908-1974) son of O.A. and May (Sollenberger) Ritter. The wedding was conducted in Mechanicsburg. Together they produced a pair of offspring -- Jack C. Ritter and Mollie Randolph (1939-2025). They planted themselves in Mechanicsburg. Said an obituary, Suzanne "was a former secretary treasurer of Ritter's Hardware Store, Mechanicsburg. She was a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, founder of the Alter Guild of the church, a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Mechanicsburg Women's Club and Seidle Hospital Auxiliary." Later, she was married to Alva H. Tomb (1908-1990) and remained in Mechanicsburg. At the age of 90, as a resident of Bethany Village, Suzanne died on May 22, 1998. Burial was in Trindle Spring Cemetery, with Rev. Gale M. Gregor leading the services, and an obituary appearing in the Carlisle (PA) Sentinel.
~ Mary Martha Gaumer ~
Daughter Mary Martha Gaumer (1867-1929) was born on Nov. 7, 1867 in Macungie, Lehigh County.
She does not appear to have married.
Mary Martha's story is hazy and misty, hidden by the sweep of history. She relocated to Chicago, where she made a homeplace in 1923. Then in the winter of 1924, she visited her cousin Alice Gaumer in Urbana, OH, before traveling to Indianapolis to see her brother Apollo, as reported on the pages of the Urbana Daily Citizen.
Sadly, at the age of 61, stricken with cancer of the rectum, Mary Martha passed away on Feb. 11, 1929 in the Shiremanstown residence of her sister Lucy Charlotte Stoner. Rev. J.C. Witmer, of the Shiremanstown Church of God, led the obsequies. Her remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Saint Johns Cemetery, Mechanicsburg. An obituary was printed in the Harrisburg (PA) Patriot-News. Traveling to attend the funeral were Professor Robert T. Stoner of Lancaster, teacher Josephine Stoner of Westfield, NJ, Apollo T. and Marie Gaumer of Indianapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins of Woodbury, NJ, Mrs. Stahl of Philadelphia and Albert and Lizzie Gaumer of Nazareth. A prominent stone was erected at her grave, but the death year is off by one year.
~ Apollo Theopolis Gaumer ~
Son Apollo Theopolis Gaumer (1869-1963) was born on Oct. 10, 1869.
He was orphaned at the age of 10 at his father's death. With a love for paper and ink, he was hired at the age of 17 by a country printing office in Ambler, PA. Evidence suggests that while still in his teens, he may have moved to Urbana, OH, where in 1885 he attended the local high school. Some distant cousins of the family of Jonathan and Mahala (Barrett) Gaumer are known to have been in Urbana at the time and were prominent in printing and newspaper publishing, a trade which Apollo also followed. His sister Mary is known to have spent the winter of 1924 in Urbana with her cousin Alice Gaumer.
In 1892, Apollo migrated to Indiana and settled in Indianapolis, where he found a job with the commercial printing firm of Levey Brothers.
On May 3, 1897, in Marion, IN, the 30-year-old Apollo tied the marital cord with Alabama native Margaret Stevenson (Aug. 1856- ? ). News of their marriage license was announced in the Indianapolis Journal.
The couple did not reproduce.
Apollo as a young man worked in Indianapolis for 10 years with Levey Brothers as a typesetter. Circa 1900, their dwelling-place was on Graceland Avenue. By 1910, still in Indianapolis, he earned a living as a printer with The Wood Worker, a monthly publication. He continued his printing trade into 1920, and in 1924, with three associates, founded his own business.
They are known to have entertained a visit in April 1924 from his sister Mary.
Sadly, Margaret passed away in 1924 in Shideler, Delaware County, IN. Her remains were lowered under the sod of Beech Grove Cemetery in Muncie, IN.
He tied the knot again circa January 1926 with Marie (Yung) Perry (March 30, 1874-1954), a German immigrant. The Indianapolis News published word of their marriage license. She had come to Indianapolis circa 1892
The couple is known to have traveled to Shiremanstown near Harrisburg, PA in June 1927 for a visit with his married sister Lucy Charlotte Stoner. While on that trip, they also drove to Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York. They returned to see the Stoners for a monthlong visit in August and September 1929.
Apollo claims to have been fired from his job at age 60 on the grounds that he was too old. He went on to found his own publishing company, doing business as Practical Publications Inc. One of his products was Industrial Finishing, a monthly magazine devoted of product cleaning and painting. He retired in 1950.
Apollo's work as a printer also included calligraphy and plaque design. The News reported in September 1938 that one of his creations had been presented to Alma D. Hartsock, recognizing her for a poem she wrote about the newly decorated Mooresville Methodist Episcopal Church. In April 1946, he made news in Joe Adams' "Rambling Round" column in the Indianapolis Star for a "picture-framed replica of some verse I had tossed off in tribute to the sons of Erin for St. Patrick's Day," wrote Adams. "It had seemed to me at the time to be mediocre and unworthy, b'gorra, of the gr-r-reat day, but ow it was beautiful. Apollo, an artist at hand-lettering, had made of it a thing of beauty and a joy forever." Adams also observed that, once arriving at the newspaper office, Apollo "had fairly flown up the stairs, and after he had burst into the office like a spring-infected mountain goat, he had so much energy left he couldn't stand still." Then in May 1947, after Adams had written a Mother's Day poem, Apollo again fashioned a "beautifully hand-painted reproduction" and presented it to the author.
They dwelled in the 1930s and 1950s at 1524 Edgemont Street in Indianapolis. She held a membership in the Riverside Park Methodist Church. In 1930, embarking from New York City, they took a three-month's sailing trip abroad aboard the Bremen. The pair in May 1939 motored to attend a Gaumer family reunion held at the homeplace of Mr. and Mrs. Chester E. Anderson at West Shore in Fairview Township near Harrisburg.
Apollo again made news in August 1952 when making a $100 donation to help a "destitute family of seven whose farm home near Martinsville burned to the ground earlier this month," reported the Star.
Tragically, Marie suffered from senile dementia. At home one day, she fell on the dining room floor and fractured her left hip. She underwent surgery and was placed in the Christian Nursing Home and died there on May 23, 1954. She sleeps in eternal repose in the city's Crown Hill Cemetery. An Indianapolis Star obituary said that in addition to her husband, she was survived by her sister Eliza Yung in Germany.
Apollo's third and final bride was Maria Margaret (Eichorn) Wirth (April 23, 1904-1988). She was a German immigrant and the widow of Fritz Conrad Wirth and brought two stepchildren into the union, Erna (Wirth) Angrick and Kurt Wirth.
Apollo and Maria Margaret first made a dwelling in his home at 1524 Edgement. As of 1960, they were at 6110 Gregory Drive and in the early 1960s at 4444 Lincoln Road. She held a membership in the St. Andrew Lutheran Church.
Apollo was burdened for five years with hardening of the arteries. After being stricken by a heart attack, he died at the age of 94 on Nov. 7, 1963. The Star ran a brief death notice and another obituary said that "A native of Macungie, Pa., he had "resided in Indianapolis 67 years." Interment was at Crown Hill Cemetery in the city.
Maria Margaret outlived her husband by a quarter of a century and moved to West Chicago, IL. She died at the age of 84 in Oct. 1988.
Stepdaughter Erna Wirth (1926-2003) was born in about 1926 in Spalt, Germany. She immigrated to the United States, where she wed Roy E. Angrick ( ? - ? ). Their trio of sons were Peter F. Angrick, Daniel W. Angrick and Frederick K. Angrick. Erna sued for divorce, which was granted on or about Sept. 1, 1965 in Danville, IN. Said the Indianapolis Star, she worked "11 years in customer relations for the state of Indiana's WIC program in Marion Co., retiring in 1997. She had been a beautician many years and managed the snack bar at the Target store in Plainfield in 2001. She was a member of the Hazelwood Christian Church." She passed into the arms of the angels at the age of 76 on Feb. 17, 2003.
- Step-grandson Peter F. Angrick ( ? - ? ) - On Nov. 16, 1968, he and Carolyne Sue Burnett exchanged marital vows at the Hazelwood Baptist Church. She was the daughter of Welby Burnett of Clayton, IL. News of the happy event was printed in the Indianapolis Star. The newlyweds' first home was in the bride's hometown of Clayton. Peter lived in Stilesville, IN in 2003.
- Step-grandson Daniel W. Angrick put down roots in Indianapolis.
- Step-grandson Frederick K. Angrick made his residence in 2003 in Plainfield, IN.
Stepson Kurt F. Wirth ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock in April 1960 with Patricia Ann Flora. The ceremony was held at the Fleming Garden Christian Church with the bride pictured in an engagement story in the Indianapolis Star. He was the father of Angela Wirth. The Wirths made their homeplace in Phoeniz, AZ in 2003.
- Step-granddaughter Angela Wirth resided in Indianapolis in 2003.
~ Son Albert Gaumer ~
Son Albert Gaumer (1875-1940) was born on May 12, 1875 in Macungie, Lehigh County, a twin with his brother Caleb.
Albert in 1893 boarded with his widowed stepmother and was a leather cutter and shoemaker in a local factory. He was thrust out of work when the plant shut down on New Year's Day 1894. At the time, he paid her a weekly rent of $3.70.
When he was 21 years of age, on May 28, 1896, he tied the marital cord with 19-year-old Lizzie Landis (1877-1959), originally from Bucks County and the daughter of Alfred F. Landis. The nuptials were performed at Center Valley, PA by Rev. Wilson Steinmetz.
A foursome of known offspring were Ralph Thomas Gaumer, Naomi J. Gaumer, Leonard J. Gaumer and Ruth V. Koch.
His address in 1907 was 1222 Chew Street in Allentown and in 1923 in Nazareth, PA.
Death enveloped him at the age of 65 just two days after Christmas 1940. Interment of the remains was in Calvary Bible Fellowship Church Cemetery in Coopersburg, Lehigh County.
Lizzie outlived him by 19 years. She passed away at the age of 81 on Feb. 17, 1959.
Son Ralph Thomas Gaumer (1897-1948)
Daughter Naomi J. Gaumer (1903-1964)
Son Leonard J. Gaumer (1905-1993)
Daughter Ruth V. Gaumer(1915-1978) entered into marriage with (?) Koch.
~ Son Caleb Gaumer ~
Son Caleb Gaumer (1875-1948) was born on May 12, 1875 in Macungie, Lehigh County, a twin with his brother Albert.
He was united in matrimony with Ella Kramer ( ? - ? ), daughter of Daniel S. and Sarah Kramer of Philadelphia.
Their brood of seven children included J. Naomi Anderson, Mrs. James Weigle, Louise A. Gaumer, Mary E. Gaumer, Caleb A. Gaumer, Paul D. Gaumer and John L. Gaumer.
Circa 1910, at the birth of a son, they lived at 1222 Chew Street in Allentown. In about 1911, they settled on a farm in rural New Cumberland, York County, PA, and continued farming for many years. Their residence there was near the Pleasant Valley School. They are known to have hosted a November 1912 visit from a cousin from Philadelphia and to have driven to Gettysburg to tour the Civil War battlefield. In 1920, his unmarried aunt Josephine Clarissa Gaumer died in their homeplace in mid-October 1920.
By 1923, said the Allentown Morning Call, he and his brother Apollo were "located somewhere in the west."
In time he returned to Walnut Level rural New Cumberland and continued to labor in farming. The Harrisburg Telegraph noted in August 1922 that Caleb and his daughters Sarah and Louise were engaged in picking peaches for John Reeser. The next month, the York Gazette and Daily said that he and Reeser had "two of the biggest fields" of canteloupe crops in the area.
Caleb was a member of the Fairview Township Literary Society and occasionally engaged in formal debate with other members. They belonged to the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church and Sunday School near Yocumtown. They attended the 14th annual Stoner family reunion in 1935 held at Mountain View Park at Mount Holly Springs. He was elected president of the reunion and was the principal speaker, as reported in the Evening News.
Sadly, at the age of 72, he suffered a heart attack and died on March 28, 1948. His pastor, Rev. George E. Snyder, presided over the obsequies. Burial was in the family church's adjoining cemetery. Mrs. James Weigle of New Cumberland was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. An obituary was printed in the York Gazette and Daily.
Daughter J. Naomi Gaumer ( ? - ? ) grew to womanhood in Pleasant View near Harrisburg. She was an alumna of local schools and Beckley College and circa 1930 was employed with the Pennsylvania Department of Property and Supplies. On Oct. 1, 1930, she married Chester E. Anderson ( ? - ? ), son of Edward Anderson of York County. News of their union was made public in the Harrisburg Evening News. The groom at the time of marriage worked for the Sanitary Laundry and Family Washing Company of Harrisburg. They settled in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Daughter (?) Gaumer tied the knot with James Weigle. The couple's homeplace in 1948 was with her parents in New Cumberland.
Daughter Louise A. Gaumer lived in Japan in 1948.
Daughter Mary E. Gaumer ( ? - ? ) - At the age of 23, Mary earned a living in a store in Harrisburg. She got to work each day by walking two miles to the New Cumberland trolley line, boarding the streetcar at Third and Bridge Streets. She was pictured in the Harrisburg Telegraph in October 1932 when assaulted by a man "in the lonely woods of Leib Lodge Park, New Cumberland... Miss Gaumer told Chief Killinger the man grabbed her and struck her on the head with his fist. She tussled with him, escaped and fled to the home of neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Holler. The girl dropped her pocketbook as she was struck but when she escaped the bandit fled..." Mary resided in 1948 in Harrisburg.
Son Caleb A. Gaumer (1911-1993) was born on Oct. 10, 1911. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Caleb moved to Camp Hill, PA and wed Eleanor Brame (Oct. 16, 1918-2007), originally from Harrisburg and the daughter of John and Eleanor Brame and stepdaughter of Ruth Brame. They were the parents of Caleb John "Jack" Gaumer, Stephen B. Gaumer, James A. Gaumer and Cathy A. Moyer. Caleb worked for Gaumer Tool and Machine Company of Strinestown, PA, and later was employed by B.F. Goodrich Company, from which he retired. Eleanor was active in the community as a Republican Committee Woman in Fairview Township. Caleb was enveloped in death at the age of 81 on Jan. 11, 1993. Eleanor continued on for another 14 years. She passed away at the age of 88 on March 10, 2007 in Holy Spirit Hospital. They both lie in eternal repose in the mausoleum of Rolling Green Cemetery in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County.
- Grandson Caleb John "Jack" Gaumer (1938-2015) was born on Sept. 4, 1938. He was joined in wedlock with Alice L. ( ? - ? ). The pair stayed together over the thick and thin of a remarkable 52 years. A trio of offspring born into this family were Lisa A. Lambert, Sandra L. Turner and Caleb E. Gaumer. They made a homeplace in Mechanicsburg, PA. The Harrisburg Patriot-News said that Caleb "was an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies fan." They suffered the tragic death of granddaughter Jessica L. Gaumer in an automobile accident on Nov. 19, 2004. Caleb died in Manor Care of Camp Hill, PA on Jan. 9, 2015. The Patriot-News ran an obituary.
- Grandson Stephen B. Gaumer settled in Lewisberry, PA.
- Grandson James A. Gaumer resided in New Cumberland, PA.
- Granddaughter Cathy A. Gaumer wed William Moyer. They moved to Chestertown, MD. He was deceased by 2007.
Son Paul David Gaumer (1916-1999) was born on Sept. 15, 1916. He entered into marriage with Katherine Fox (1924-1996). They dwelled in Chambersburg, PA in 1948. Said the Harrisburg Patriot-News, "He retired as owner/operator of Gaumer's Chassis here; was a former volunteer with the Chambersburg Toy Mission and Meals on Wheels; and an avid fisherman." Sadly, Katherine passed away in 1996. In his later years, he moved to Michigan and resided in the Saginaw Geriatric Home. In her own right, reported the Patriot-News, Katherine was a "bookkeeper/accountant with Gaumer's Chassis Engineering, a former employee of the former U.S. Department of Labor office in Chambersburg, a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, active with Meals on Wheels of Chambersburg and a graduate of the former New Cumberland High School." At the age of 83, Paul died on Sept. 30, 1999. The remains were interred in Rolling Green Cemetery in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County.
Son John L. Gaumer was at home with his parents in 1948.
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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. |