Minerd.com Biography of Samuel and Lucina (Bainter) Gaumer of Hancock County, IL

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Samuel Gaumer
(1827-1910)

Samuel Gaumer was born on Aug. 12, 1827 in Ohio, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sturtz) Gaumer Jr.

In about 1849, when he was age 22, he married 22-year-old Ohio native Lucina Bainter (Feb. 1827-1904), the daughter of Peter and Mary (Emler) Bainter. The nuptials were held in Muskingum County. Her first name also has been spelled "Lucinda" and "Lusine."

They were the parents of 10 children, among them Amanda Melissa Maxwell Hainline, William Newton Gaumer, Mary E. Sears, Peter "Alvin" Gaumer, Thomas Marion Gaumer, Peninah A. Gaumer, Franklin Samuel Gaumer, Martha J. Gaumer, Emma E. Gaumer and Jesse D. Gaumer. Two of the children were deceased by 1900.

Sometime between 1852 and 1854, they migrated to Illinois and settled on a farm in Durham Township, Hancock County. The family is shown in Durham when the 1860 federal census enumeration was made, with the family name spelled "Gormer."

The new home was only about 50 miles from the town of Galesburg, Knox County, IL. In October 1858, Galesburg's Knox College was the setting for one of the famed Lincoln-Douglas presidential debates. It's likely the Gaumers knew about the debate and may well have been among the 15,000 spectators who attended.

The 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debate in nearby Galesburg, Illinois

By 1880, the family had moved to a farm in Hire Township, McDonough County, IL. That year, six-year-old grandson William Gaumer lived in the household.

The Gaumers relocated again between 1880 and 1900. The U.S. Census for 1900 shows the family in La Harpe, Hancock County, IL. In 1900, eight-year-old Roy Gaumer and six-year-old William Gaumer, both listed as a "son," were under their roof.

Lucina passed away in 1904 at the age of about 77.

He survived his wife by about six years. He died on Aug. 16, 1910 in Hancock County, IL. Burial is believed to have been in La Harpe Cemetery. [Find-a-Grave]

~ Daughter Amanda M. (Gaumer) Maxwell Hainline ~

Daughter Amanda M. Gaumer (1850-1899) was born in about 1850 in Pennsylvania. She migrated to Illinois with her parents when a young girl.

In 1880, unmarried at age 28, she lived at home with her parents.

She was twice married, first to John D. Maxwell ( ? - ? ). They resided in Blandinsville, McDonough County, IL and produced a daughter, Lyda Luvina Head.

Amanda wedded for a second time to James Samuel Hainline ( ? - ? ).

She died in Blandinsville on July 18, 1899. Burial was in La Harpe Cemetery in Hancock County, IL.

James' fate is not yet known.

Daughter Lyda Luvina "Vina" Hainline (1881-1942) was born on June 12, 1881 in Blandinsville, McDonough County, IL. She is believed to have been married circa 1905 to (?) Huston ( ? - ? ). The couple bore a daughter, Iola L. Long. In 1910, Vina was joined in wedlock with Clarence L. Head ( May 30, 1867-1943), son of William Bigger and Martha V. (Miller) Head of McDonough County. They were the parents of Eula Virginia Kurtz, James Ernest Head and Mary E. Hatten. Sadly, son James died at birth in 1917. Vina passed away at the age of 61 on Dec. 18, 1942 in La Harpe, Hancock County. Clarence only survived his wife by a short time and succumbed at the age of 75 on Feb. 12, 1943. They rest together in La Harpe Cemetery. [Find-a-Grave]

Granddaughter Iola L. Huston (1905-1993) was born on April 6, 1905. She wedded Orville Charles Long (1890-1957). They were the parents of Margaret Belle Long and Donald Franklin Long. Sadly, daughter Margaret died at the age of five in 1930, and son Donald passed at the age of about 22 in 1948. Orville was swept away by the Grim Reaper in 1957. Iola lived for another 35-plus years. At the age of 87, she died on Feb. 4, 1993 in Illinois. Burial was in La Harpe Cemetery.

Granddaughter Eula Virginia Head (1911-2003) was born in 1911. At the age of about 18, in 1929, she was joined in marriage with Joseph Elmer Kurtz (1904-1973). Their three offspring were Joseph Ronald Kurtz, Billy C. Kurtz and Betty Lee Shallenberger. Their son Billy served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Joseph passed away in 1973. Eula outlived him by three decades. Circa 1999, she was a resident of a local nursing home in La Harpe. She joined him in death in 2003.

Granddaughter Mary E. Head (1918-1979) was born on June 11, 1918. She was united in matrimony with (?) Hatten ( ? - ? ). They are not known to have reproduced. Mary died at the age of 60 in Illinois on St. Patrick's Day 1979. Her grave in La Harpe Cemetery is marked with a small metal plaque.

~ Son William Newton Gaumer ~

Son William N. Gaumer (1852-1893) was born in about 1852 in Pennsylvania.

He was joined in wedlock with Sarah Emily Francis (June 1, 1858-1925), a native of Henderson County, IL.

Their six children were Lewis Gaumer, Elsie Gaumer, Rose "Sis" Gaumer, Clarence Gaumer, Clarrie Gaumer and Mildred Gaumer.

When the federal census was taken in 1880, the Gayumers made their home on a farm in Bedford, Henderson County. That year, William's younger, unmarried brother lived in the household. The farm was located in Township 8 North, Range 4 West.

The Gaumers later relocated to Hancock County, IL.

William died in 1893 at the age of about 41. Burial was in La Harpe Cemetery. His demise left his widow with six mouths to feed between the ages of six and 19.

Sarah Emily survived her spouse by more than three decades. She established a boarding house on Mulberry Street in Galesburg, Knox County, IL and is shown there in the 1900 federal census. All six children and one son-in-law lived under her roof.

She died in Galesburg on Jan. 18, 1925.

Son Lewis Gaumer (1874-1967) was born on March 20, 1874 in Illinois. In 1900, unmarried at the age of 25, he lived in his mother's boarding house and earned a living as a carpenter. He died at the age of 92 on March 13, 1967. Interment was in La Harpe Cemetery in Hancock County, IL.

Daughter Elsie Gaumer (1878- ? ) was born in about 1878 in Illinois. In about 1898, she was united in matrimony with Ira W. Holt (Sept. 1875- ? ). They initially made a home in the boarding house of Elsie's mother in Galesburg, with Ira working as a machinist, and his 20-year-old brother Edward also in the dwelling. The Holts may have separated within the decade, as the 1910 census shows Elsie and her sister Mildred living together in Galesburg on South Pearl Street. Circa 1910, Elsie was a dressmaker, and Mildred a school teacher.

Daughter Rose "Sis" Gaumer (1880- ? ) was born in April 1880 in Bedford, Henderson County, IL. She grew up in Galesburg, Knox County, IL.

Son Clarence Gaumer (1882- ? ) was born in July 1882. When he was 17 years of age, in 1900, he was employed as a laborer in a local bottling works in Galesburg.

Daughter Clarrie Gaumer (1885- ? ) was born in Jan. 1885.

Daughter Mildred Gaumer (1887- ? ) was born in Dec. 1887. In 1910, she made a home with her sister Elsie Holt on South Pearl Street in Galesburg. That year, Mildred taught school while Elsie was a dressmaker.

~ Daughter Mary E. (Gaumer) Sears ~

Daughter Mary E. Gaumer (1854- ? ) was born in about 1854, the first of the Gaumer children born in Illinois. She grew up in Hancock County.

Evidence suggests that at the age of 16, four days after Christmas 1870, she was united in matrimony with Isaac Sears (1845- ? ), son of George Sears. The ceremony took place in Hancock County, and Rev. Ehude Fordyce officiated.

The couple began to produce children right away and went on to bear these known offspring -- Charlie Sears, Randall Sears, Ella Sears and George Sears II.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1880, the family dwelled in Durham, Hancock County, with Isaac working as a farmer, and his 65-year-old father boarding in the home.

The family has yet to be located in the 1900 U.S. Census and on Find-a-Grave.

Son Charlie Sears (1871- ? ) was born in about 1871 in Hancock County.

Son Randall Sears (1873- ? ) was born in about 1873 in Hancock County.

Daughter Ella Sears (1876- ? ) was born in about 1876 in Hancock County.

Son George Sears II (1879- ? ) was born in about 1879 in Hancock County.

~ Son Peter "Alvin" Gaumer ~

Son Peter "Alvin" Gaumer (1855-1953) was born in about 1856 in Illinois. He grew up on his parents' farms and helped with farm labor.

Circa 1990, census records show him boarding on the farm of his married brother William in Bedford, Henderson County, IL.

In about 1880, he was joined in marriage with Flora Antoinette Stephenson (1862-1944), daughter of Randolph L. and Elizabeth M. (McWilliams) Stephenson.

They were the parents of Edith Gaumer.

In the autumn of 1915, advertisements for 3-in-One Furniture Polish were published in newspapers in major U.S. cities, including the Buffalo Courier, Washington (DC) Evening Star and Chicago Tribune, containing a testimonial quote from Flora: "As a furniture polish 3-in-One is the best I have ever tried," she wrote. Her residence at the time was Blandinsville, McDonough County, IL.

Flora died in Fountain Green Township in 1944, ending their marital union of 64 years.

Alvin lived for another nine years. He passed away in 1953 at the age of 97 or 98.

Burial was in Glade City Cemetery in Blandinsville. [Find-a-Grave]

Daughter Edith Gaumer (1881-1960) was born on Oct. 9, 1881. She appears to have never married. She passed into eternity at the age of 78 on July 20, 1960. She rests for all time in Glade City Cemetery in Blandinsville.

~ Son Thomas Marion Gaumer ~

Son Thomas Marion Gaumer (1857-1950) was born on Aug. 20, 1857 or March 1858 in Illinois.

In 1882, he first married Ellen Worrell (Nov. 11, 1860-1923), daughter of Charles and Sarah (Harris) Worrell.

Their children were Laura Brand, Charles Hendricks Gaumer, Minta Sarah "Minty" Doolittle, Ollie Gladys Parrack, Loye Gaumer, Tacy Johnson, Alice Hamilton and a daughter whose identity is not known.

Circa 1900, federal census records show the family residing on a farm in Hire, McDonough County, IL. Their post office in 1910 was in Blandinsville, McDonough County, with Thomas earning a living that year as a teamster..

Sadly, Ellen died in 1923 at the age of about 62.

After seven years as a widower, he wedded a second time in 1930 to Margaret "Maggie" (Derks) Argenbright (April 13, 1855-1932), a native of La Harpe, Hancock County, and the daughter of Peter Albert and Mary (Workman) Derks. Maggie had been married previously to Marshall C. Argenbright (1852-1924) and brought two adult children to the second marriage, Charles Albert Argenbright and Earl Elmo Argenbright.

Their marital union only lasted for two years, until her death on Nov. 28, 1932 in Blandinsville, McDonough County.

He succumbed in 1950.

Daughter Laura Gaumer (1882- ? ) was born in Nov. 1882 in Illinois. She was united in matrimony with (?) Brand. They lived in 1963 in Monmouth, Warren County, IL.

Son Charles Hendricks Gaumer (1884-1973) was born on Sept. 30, 1884 in McDonough County. He was joined in wedlock with Myrtle Mansfield Wood (1885-1971), daughter of Buford and Laura Ellen (Curry) Wood. Their home in 1963 was in Macomb, IL. They are buried in Glade City Cemetery in Blandinsville.

Daughter Minty Sarah Gaumer (1887-1963) was born on April 27, 1887 in Blandinsville, McDonough County. On Oct. 20, 1905, in a ceremony held at Macomb, IL, she married Harry Daniel Doolittle (Feb. 11, 1880-1963), a native of Niota, Hancock County and the son of Charles Beal and Olive Nancy (Atherton) Doolittle. They produced three daughters, Merle Germaine, Hazel Ellen Lund and Jeanette Hoskins. The family made their home in Niota. Minty was a longtime member of the Christian Church and the Royal Neighbors. Harry earned a living over the years as a pipeline walker. Harry succumbed at the age of 83, in a hospital in East Moline, Rock Island County, IL on Feb. 19, 1963. Rev. Charles Harris of the First Christian Church officiated at the funeral. An obituary was published in the Galesburg (IL) Register Mail. Just a few months later, as a patient in Ranck Nursing Home in Carthage, IL, Minty passed away at the home at the age of 76 on May 5, 1963. Rev. Harris again preached the funeral sermon, with interment in Glade City Cemetery and an obituary printed in the Galesburg (IL) Register-Mail.

Granddaughter Merle Doolittle married (?) Germaine and lived in Milltown, MT in 1963.

Thermopolis, Wyoming

Granddaughter Hazel Ellen Doolittle (1910-2000) was born on St. Patrick's Day 1910 in Niota near Appanoose, Hancock County. At the age of 18, on Jan. 12, 1929, she wedded Theodore E. Lund (May 27, 1904-1960), son of Axel and Anne Lund of La Harpe. Their nuptials were held in Fort Madison, IA. Their three daughters were Betty Gifford Beaver, H. Faye Kimball and Theodora Jayne Gardner. Theodore was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in 1924 and 1925. They relocated to Medicine Bow during the decade of the 1940s and thence to Nebraska in the 1950s. Theodore earned a living as a division machinist for Service Pipeline Company. He also was a member of the Glenrock lodge of the Masons and other fraternal societies. Sadly, Theodore died on Dec. 17, 1960 as a patient in St. Luke's Hospital in Denver. His remains were brought back to Wyoming for burial in Monument Hill Cemetery, following funeral services led by Rev. George Wright in Community Church. Hazel remained a widow for the next four decades. In 1963, she lived in Thermopolis, Hot Springs County, WY, a town known for its natural hot springs and mineral-rich waters. There, she was employed by First National Bank as a loan officer for more than three decades. Upon retirement, she worked part-time at the bank. She was a member of Community Federated Church and the Order of Eastern Star. She suffered the loss of her daughter Betty in 1995. She died in Thermopolis at the age of 90 on May 11, 2000. She rests in Monument Hill Cemetery in Thermopolis. Circa 2000, daughter Faye lived in California and daughter Theodora in Detroit.

Granddaughter Jeanette Doolittle was joined in marriage with (?) Hoskins. Her residence circa 1963 was in Nauvoo, IL.

Daughter Ollie Gladys Gaumer (1889- ? ) was born in Nov. 1889. When she was age 17, in about 1906, she wedded Fred Parrack (Jan. 8, 1885-1966), son of Lucinda (Mayfield) Parrack and a native of Clayton, Adams County, IL. In 1963, she resided in Colchester, McDonough County, IL. Fred was cut down by the Grim Reaper at the age of 81 on Sept. 11, 1966 in Colcheser. Ollie passed away in 1970, with burial in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Macomb, McDonough County.

Son Naldine (?) Gaumer (1892- ? ) was born in Feb. 1892 in Illinois.

Son Loye William Gaumer (1894- ? ) was born on Dec. 16, 1894 (or 1897) in Illinois. As a young man, he dwelled in Stronghurst, Henderson County, IL. His first wife was Merdith Opal Reynolds (April 14, 1899-1994), with the wedding taking place on Feb. 20, 1918 in Malden, MO. The couple eventually divorced, with Merdith relocating to Los Angeles. At the age of 60, on Dec. 13, 1954, he married Zelma Adkins ( ? - ? ) in a ceremony held in the Havana Christian Church. A notice in the Galesburg Register-Mail reported that the couple "will live at Stronghurst where Mr. Gaumer operates the barber shop." In 1963, he lived in Stronghurst. Loye died at the age of 91 on July 26, 1989. Burial was in La Harpe Cemetery. Former wife Merdith lived to the age of 95 and returned to the Monmouth, IL area from time to time to visit her sisters Mrs. John Gerstel and Mrs. Myrle George. She passed into eternity on July 28, 1994. She also rests in La Harpe Cemetery.

Daughter Tacy E. Gaumer (1880-1975) was born on Sept. 10, 1880. She was united in marriage with William O. Johnson (March 28, 1878-1961). Their only known offspring was Maxine Hopkins Zbinden. Sadly, William died at the age of 83 on June 2, 1961. Tacy lived for another 14 years as a widow and dwelled in 1963 in Bushnell, McDonough County, IL. On April 24, 1975, at the age of 94, Tacy passed away. Her remains were lowered into repose in La harpe Cemetery.

Daughter Alice Gaumer ( 1901- ? ) was born in about 1901. She was joined in wedlock with (?) Hamilton. They made a home in Kewanee, Henry County, IL. She may have passed away on Feb. 2, 1980 with burial in South Pleasant View Cemetery in Kewanee.

~ Daughter Peninah A. Gaumer ~

Daughter Peninah A. Gaumer (1859- ? ) was born on April 9, 1859 in Illinois.

The details of her passing are not known, but she rests in La Harpe Cemetery in Hancock County, IL.

~ Son Franklin Samuel "Frank" Gaumer ~

Son Franklin Gaumer (1861?-1941) was born on Sept. 1, 1860 or 1861 in Illinois. He may have been a twin with his sister Martha. He grew up assisting his father with farm labor.

Franklin was united in matrimony with Lydia Shrier (July 31, 1865-1939), daughter of David O. and Mary Jane (Hopkins) Shrier of Macomb, McDonough County, IL. The couple is believed to have made a home in McDonough County.

They were the parents of Estelle Driskell and Leslie Arlie Gaumer.

Lydia died at the age of 73 on Jan. 15, 1939 in Blandinsville.

Her spouse only lived for two more years. On April 8, 1941, at the age of 80, Samuel passed into eternity in McDonough County. Burial was in Glade City Cemetery in Blandinsville, McDonough County.

Daughter Estelle Gaumer (1886-1988) was born on Sept. 1, 1886 in Baldinsville, McDonough County. She married Ray Marshall Driskell (Aug. 10, 1877-1954), a native of Mercer County, KY, and the son of Calvin and Rebecca Jane (Gritton) Driskell. Their four children were Calvin Driskell, Gladys L. Peck, Wendell Holmes Driskell and Robert M. Driskell. Ray passed away at the age of 76 on June 20, 1954. She reached her 102nd birthday and succumbed on Dec. 11, 1988 in La Harpe. Burial was in Glad City Cemetery.

Grandson Calvin Driskell (1910-1982)

Granddaughter Gladys L. Driskell (1912-2005) married (?) Peck.

Grandson Wendell Holmes Driskell (1914-1980)

Grandson Robert M. Driskell (1919-1967)

~ Daughter Martha J. Gaumer ~

Daughter Martha J. Gaumer (1862- ? ) was born in about 1862 in Illinois. She may have been a twin with her brother Franklin.

~ Daughter Emma E. Gaumer ~

Daughter Emma E. Gaumer (1869- ? ) was born in about 1869 in Illinois.

~ Son Jesse D. Gaumer ~

Son Jesse D. Gaumer (1870-1909) was born in May 1870 in Illinois.

In 1893, he was married to (?).

Still married, he lived with his parents in 1900 in La Harpe, Hancock County, IL, with his wife's whereabouts not listed.

He passed into eternity in 1909.