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Elizabeth (Dull) Dumbauld was born on April 9, 1815 in Milford Township, Somerset County, PA, the daughter of George and Christina (Younkin) Dull. 

At the age of 18, on Dec. 13, 1833, she wed 24-year-old Jonathan Cable Dumbauld (1809-1885), son of Peter and Sarah (Cable) Dumbauld and a native of Saltlick Township in nearby Fayette County. 

Jonathan's grandfather Abraham Dumbauld was a German emigrant and among the first settlers in Fayette County, considered "one of the typical pioneers, strong, hearty and adventurous," said the 1884 book History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania. Jonathan's father was a farmer and drover, serving the community as a justice of the peace and Somerset County commissioner, and among the first members of the Church of God movement in the county.

Jonathan himself grew up in Fayette County.

They together produced a dozen children -- George Luther Dumbauld, Susanna Younkin Kreger, Frederick Dumbauld Sr., Sarah C. "Sally" Rhoads, Christianna Schrock, Daniel Dumbauld, Mary Ann "Mollie" Romesburg, Peter Dumbauld, Louisa Kreger, William "Willie" Dumbauld, Clarinda "Savannah" Kreger, Jonathan "Beecher" Dumbauld and William Dumbauld II. 

Willie's grave, 1857, Delilah Younkin Cemetery, Hexebarger

Each Dumbauld child's name and date of birth was inscribed in the family Bible, published in 1864, with their pastor from the Old Bethel Church, Rev. John Andrew Plowman, doing the writing as Elizabeth dictated the information.

Early in their marriage, the couple resided in Westmoreland County, PA but then spent two decades in Fayette County. Circa 1846, at the age of 37, he relocated the family to Somerset County and put down roots in Upper Turkeyfoot Township. 

Said the Somerset Herald, "Mrs. Dumbauld dedicated herself to the Lord in Fayette county, Pa., many years ago, and with her husband united with the church of God in this county, being among the first members of the church of God in this county."

Of Jonathan, a newspaper once said that he was; 

...a man of exemplary habits, always cheerful, and ready to speak a kind word or lend a helping hand to those who were in need of sympathy or aid. As a professor of Christianity he was eminently consistent, his daily walk attesting his faith in the world's Redeemer. For nearly 50 years he was a member of the communion known as the Church of God, and was the first member of that denomination in Somerset county. He was several times honored  by his fellow citizens in being called to positions of trust. He was a member of the board of County Commissioners of this county from 1869 to 1873, and filled the position with entire satisfaction to all. 

Above: Dumbauld farms (circled) west of Kingwood, 1876 Atlas of Somerset County. Below: The Dumbaulds named the 1906 History of Bedford and Somerset Counties

Old Bethel Church, Hexebarger - enlarge

Heartache ran through the family on March 1, 1857, when son Willie died at the age of four years, four months and 21 days. His remains were interred in Hexebarger near Kingwood in a remote Younkin family burying ground known as the Delilah Younkin Cemetery, so named after one of its owners, Delilah (Faidley) Younkin, widow of Frederick J. Younkin. A small stone was erected to mark his grave, and at the base was inscribed this short but moving epitaph: "A bud, Plucked by God to bloom in heaven." A dozen years later, when the Dumbaulds produced another son, he also was given the name "William," likely in memory of the older deceased son.

By 1860, they returned to the Kingwood area. The federal census of 1860 shows the Dumbaulds living in Upper Turkeyfoot, with six children in the household, and Elizabeth's double cousin Ephraim Miner living under their roof and working as a farm laborer. Among their close neighbors were widow Susan (Dumbauld) Younkin, "Yankee" John Younkin and Andrew and Susanna (Younkin) Schrock.

Circa 1876, the Dumbauld farm is depicted in the Atlas of Somerset County, and was found to be sitting on valuable reserves of coal. The 1880 census shows Jonathan and Elizabeth in Upper Turkeyfoot, with only their son Beecher in the house, and Jonathan engaged at the age of 75 in farming and cattle dealing.

The Dumbaulds moved after 1880 to a farm in Milford Township. They are named in the 1906 book History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, authored by E. Howard Blackburn, William Henry Welfley and William H. Koontz. The entry states that "The Milford Church of God was organized in 1889 at Weimer's school house. In 1891, a church was built near the John Sweitzer farm, in Milford township. The charter members were Peter Dumbauld and wife... [and son-in-law] Perry Schrock and wife.... The pastors seem to have been the same as those of the Kingwood church."

Somerset Herald, Jan. 15, 1896

The Herald once said that Elizabeth "was naturally of a quiet and retiring disposition, yet all who came in contact with her soon learned that her life was 'hid with Christ in God,' and from that indwelling reality came to them influences of a holy and benign character. As a wife she was true and devoted; as a mother, kind, considerate and solicitous for the temporal and spiritual welfare of her children as a friend she was constant and true, respected and loved by her neighbors." 

Jonathan passed away at their Milford Township home at the age of 76 years, one month and 29 days on Sept. 29, 1885. An obituary penned by an author using the name "N.B.c." wrote that "Death came to him suddenly, and no doubt unexpectedly, but he as found at his post, and it caused him no alarm. He went to his bed in the evening apparently in his usual health, but before morning 'he was not, for God took him'." 

Jonathan's obituary, 1885

Burial was either in New Centerville or in Kingwood, "near the old home where he spent the most active years of his life," wrote N.B.C. An appropriate memorial address was delivered by Rev. Marple."

Elizabeth survived him by a decade. It's believed that the final years of her life were uneventful..

She died in New Centerville at the age of 80 on Dec. 17, 1895, just four days after what would have been her 60th wedding anniversary. Almost a month after her death, the Herald reported the details of her passing:

The disease that caused her death was not of very long standing. She was confined to her room only a little over two weeks, but during that time her decline was rapid. During her suffering she was cheerful and happy all the while, and upon her face rested the smile of gladness that was a sure index to the joy that was within. It was an inspiration to be in her presence and to witness the fearlessness with which she faced the 'last of foes.' When the roll is called up yonder, and the trials and triumphs of God's people on earth are rehearsed, we have every reason to believe that this humble and unostentatious christian will receive a rich reward.

The couple's grandson George "Newton" Schrock, a general store owner,  postmaster, constable and furniture store merchant, organized in September 1915 a family reunion for more than 100 people. In reporting on the event, the Meyersdale Republican said:

Some time ago G.N. Schrock of Somerset decided to call together the descendants of his grandfather Fred [sic] Dumbauld. He wrote to a number of the relatives and soon got encouragement. He set the day for September 7, and gave the call and they responded to the number of one hundred or more. The following were presnet: George Dumbauld of Upper Turkeyfoot, Fred Dumbauld of Kansas, Peter Dumbauld of Milford township, Mrs. D.W. Rhoades of Rockwood, Mrs. Perry Schrock of Somerset. The following living children were absent: Mrs. Silas Kreger of Illinois, Mrs. William Romesburg of Kingwood, J.B. Dumbauld of Colorado. At 10:30 o'clock the crowd got together in the orchard of the old home place, which is now owned by the Laurel Hill Lumber Co. The old log barn and log house are still standing. After greetings, the noon meal was had, as all had brought baskets filled with good things to eac. After dinner the father of the gathering, G.N. Schrock, made the address of welcome, and then introduced E.S. Critchfield of Omaha, Neb., a son of Jacob Critchfield of Black township. He was followed by George and Peter Dumbauld, who told of things that had happened on the old farm when they were boys. Not many men are willing to tell of the tricks they played when they were boys, but Peter Dumbauld outdid them all for jokes, and had them all laughing. The crowd joned in three songs and it needless to say they were well rendered. Miss Blanche Knepper of Berlin sang a solo, entitled "They Vote for Rum." Miss Evaline Dumbauld, daughter of Peter, gave a recitation, "Old Times and New." People came from Fayette county, Somerset, Berlin and Rockwood. By unanimous vote it was decided to make this an annual affair to be held in the vicinity of Kingwood. G.N. Schrock was made president, in fact the whole push. At 3:30 p.m. all started for their homes.

~ Daughter Christianna (Dumbauld) Schrock ~

Daughter Christianna ("Christina") Dumbauld (1842-1924) was born on Jan. 16, 1842. She married a cousin, Perry Schrock (1846-1911), son of Andrew and Susanna (Younkin) Schrock. Click the link for more.

~ Daughter Louisa (Dumbauld) Kreger ~

Daughter Louisa Dumbauld (1854-1901) was born on Jan. 27, 1854 in Upper Turkeyfoot Township.

She married a cousin, Wilson S. Kreger (1853-1895), son of John Frederick and Sarah A. (Younkin) Kreger. 

This couple migrated to Kansas, where they established a permanent home in Wakefield, Clay County.

Click on the Kreger link for more.