Solomon "Sol" Gaumer (1842-1920) and Anna "Maria" Caroline Hartman (1844-1922) were married on Dec. 12, 1863 at Weidasville, Lehigh County, PA, with Rev. O. Leopold officiating. Their union endured the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 56 years together.

The son of Solomon Heinly and Hester Maria (Rumbel Klotz) Gaumer, Sol spent his working career as a machinery operator and clay works operator.

Circa 1884, he served as a deacon of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Fogelsville, PA, and he is named for this volunteer service in the book History of the Counties of Lehigh and Carbon, Pennsylvania.

When Sol and Maria prepared to mark their golden wedding anniversary, the family held a party at Dorney Park in Allentown, a few months in advance, on Aug. 31, 1913.  Attendees received one of these handsomely made commemorative pins. An article in the local newspaper named each attendee and reported the following:

Surrounded by children, grand-children, great grand children, son-in-law, and friends, the aged couple who are remarkably well preserved, reviewed the smiling faces of their dear ones and received the congratulations of all, who were honored to be present. No formal program was prepared. The family came together to commemorate the 50th wedding anniversary of the venerable couple and left the day open for whatever diversions the park afforded. During the course of the dinner. Mr. Solomon Gaumer was presented with a purse of $60 in gold by his children and friends, also a diamond sun-burst ring, and his wife a golden bracelet. The table was decorated with golden rod, marigold and sunfloers and presented a very pretty sight.... The afternoon was spent in exchanges of greetings among the large family. Supper was served at five o'clock and the party adjourned, extending the father and mother their heartfelt wishes for many years of usefulness.

Solomon suffered a stroke and died in Fogelsville on Aug. 8, 1920. His survivors included 22 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Among the floral tributes at the funeral were a sheaf of wheat provided by the children; dahlias and bouquet from neighbors; a slumber robe from friends; roses from near friends; gladiolas from grandson Fred Held; gladiola from son-in-law George Schaffer; dahlias from Hunsicker and family and from granddaughters Margaret and Anna Smith.

The widowed Maria only lived for another two years, alternatively living with her daughters Alice Held and Laura Deily. Suffering from diabetes, she passed away in the Deily residence on Sept. 16, 1922.

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