Minerd.com Biography of William and Eliza (Ettinger) Gaumer of Macungie, PA

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William Gaumer
(1833-1906)

William Gaumer was born on March 7, 1833 in Macungie township, Lehigh County, PA, the son of Johann "Adam" and Christiana (Wesco) Gaumer. He spent his entire life in the community.

He married Eliza Ettinger (1845-1910).

They were the parents of Priscilla Weidner, John A. Gaumer, Clinton Gaumer, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Gaumer, William C.H. Gaumer and Rosa Bella "Aurora" Landenfelt.

Their farm was located about a mile northwest of Macungie. In 1870, the couple provided a home for Eliza's brother Hiram Ettinger, also spelled "Edinger."

In the late 1870s, as more of their children were born, William and Eliza had them baptized in Solomon's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Macungie. Among them were daughters Bertha (1878) and Eliza (1879), by the hand of Rev. Thomas N. Reber.

Eventually the Gaumers joined the Reformed Church in Zionsville.

Reformed Church sanctuary in Zionsville

Over time, Eliza became "mentally unsound" and remained so for years, reported the Allentown Leader. She was admitted to the Pennsylvania State Asylum for the Chronic Insane facility in Wernersville.

At the age of 73, afflicted with kidney and congestive heart failure, William passed away at home on March 27, 1906. Funeral services were followed by burial in the Lehigh Zion Church Cemetery in Alburtis, with an obituary appearing in the Leader. Son Clinton was the informant for the certificate of death.

The afflicted Eliza survived her husband by four years, remaining institutionalized. She contracted pulmonary tuberulosis and passed away on May 19, 1910. Her remains were transported to Alburtis to be lowered into repose. The Allentown Morning Call said that "Many relatives and friends assembled to view the remains. Her sons and sons-in-law were the pall bearers."

~ Daughter Priscilla (Gaumer) Weidner ~

Daughter Priscilla Gaumer (1864-1925) was born on April 27, 1864 in Macungie.

On Sept. 25, 1884, when she would have been age 20, she wedded Charles H. Weidner (1863- ? ). The nuptials were led by Rev. Thomas N. Reber of Solomon's Evangelical and Reformed Church. A record of the event was printed in the 1941 booklet, entitled Centennial Celebration Solomon’s Church (Evangelical and Reformed) of Macungie, Pennsylvania.

They lived in South Allentown and were the parents of 12 -- Edna S. Kuder, Hattie Weidner, Stella Weidner, Harvey Weidner, Rachel F. Polster, Helen Weidner, Charles A. Weidner, Ada Routzah, Roland Weidner and Paul William Weidner.

The family home was near the Lehigh Country Club. Circa 1910, Charles was employed as a foreman in a local furniture factory.

At the age of 60, while at home on Jan. 2, 1925, Priscilla died of chronic heart disease. Roland Weidner of Allentown was the informant for the death certificate. Interment was in Schoenersville Cemetery. The Allentown Morning Call printed an obituary.

Daughter Edna S. Weidner (1887-1952) was born on Oct. 8, 1887 in Allentown. She married Edwin H. Kuder (March 27, 1885-1963), son of Millard A. and Delilah (Ross) Kuder of Allentown. The couple produced two daughters -- Mildred Gegenheimer and Althea Neagley. They lived in Allentown, where Edwin was proprietor of the Kuder Coal and Supply Company. He employed their daughter Althea as bookkeeper for the firm. They were members of the Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, and Edna belonged to the New Temple Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and the auxiliary of Beauchiant Commandery. Their address in 1952 was 133 West 12th Street. She succumbed on Feb. 1, 1952. The Allentown Morning Call said that burial would be in Greenwood Cemetery. Edwin outlived his wife and retired from the family business in 1954. He remained in their home on 12th Street. At the age of 78, while at home on Dec. 12, 1963, he suffered a fatal heart attack and was rushed to Allentown Osteopathic Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Granddaughter Mildred Kuder ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She wedded Harry Gegenheimer ( ? - ? ). Their home in 1965 was in Philadelphia.

Granddaughter Althea Neagley (1913-1965) was born on June 11, 1913 in Allentown. She married G. Edwin Neagley (Dec. 27, 1907-1961), the son of Israel P. and Lottie (Renner) Neagley. Althea worked for her father's coal business as a bookkeeper. They dwelled in her parents' former home in Allentown at 133 South 12th Street. In about 1954, after her father's retirement, she began working as a bookkeeper for Beth-Allen Sales Company and remained there for 11 years. Edwin was employed over the years by Bethlehem Woodcraft Company. Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 47, she endured the illness for five years. Althea was plunged into grief on Dec. 5, 1961, when Edwin, while at work in his South Jefferson Street garage repairing an automobile with the engine running, died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Reported the Allentown Morning Call, "He was found in the front seat of a car and a screwdriver was in his hands." Lehigh County's deputy coroner conducted an autopsy and ruled the death accidental. Althea outlived her husband by almost four years. As her health turned worse, she was admitted to Allentown Osteopathic Hospital and succumbed there at the age of 52 on Sept. 20, 1965. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.

Daughter Hattie L. Weidner (1890-1942) was born on July 16, 1889 in Salisbury Township. She never married and spent her many years in Allentown. Her address in the early 1940s was with her married sister and brother in law, Edna and Edwin Kuder, at the address of 133 South 12th Street. At the age of 52, she underwent surgery to remove fibroids on her uterus which were dangerously close to her bowel. She went into surgical shock and died on March 20, 1942. Her remains were laid to rest in Schoenersville Cemetery with a brief death notice printed in the Allentown Morning Call.

Daughter Stella Weidner (1892- ? ) was born in about 1892. She was unmarried and made a residence in Allentown in 1952.

Son Harvey C. Weidner (1893-1972) was born in about 1893. He made a home in Rittersville in 1916. On Aug. 5, 1916, at the age of about 23, he was united in matrimony with Ella M. Sterner ( ? - ? ), daughter of Preston Sterner of Rittersville. The nuptials were held in a parsonage in South Allentown, officiated by Rev. E.N. Cassel. News of the wedding was printed in the Allentown Leader. They were the parents of two daughters, Arlene Peters and Miriam Perna. They lived in 1925 in Bethlehem and in the early 1940s in Allentown, where he worked for a number of fabric mills as a ribbon weaver. Five days before Christmas in 1941, Harvey left the marriage and moved out. By 1944, when a divorce was granted, his address was 641 Sherman Street and hers' 621 Randolph Street. Ella went on to marry (?) Dixson. Later in life, Harvey resided in the Cedarbrook neighborhood of Allentown. At the age of 79, he passed away on Sept. 2, 1972.

Granddaughter Arlene Weidner (1917-1998) was born in about 1917. In 1938, at the age of of 21, she graduated from Allentown Hospital's School of Nursing. She married Herman A. Peters ( ? - ? ). The couple bore three daughters -- Gail Yost, Peggy Saul and Donna Knight. They dwelled in Allentown on Liberty Street. For 42 years, she worked as a registered nurse, as a private duty and home care nurse at Allentown Hospital. Later, for 15 years, she was a night supervisor and charge nurse at Cedarbrook in South Whitehall Township. Later in life, the widowed Arlene lived in Country Meadows in Allentown. She died in Lehigh Valley Hospital at the age of 81 on Nov. 17, 1998. Her obituary was printed in the Allentown Morning Call.

Miriam Arbogast's place of employment, Western Electric, Allentown

Granddaughter Miriam Weidner (1921-2005) was born in about 1921 in Allentown. She was wedded twice. Her first spouse was Richard B. Arbogast ( ? -1960). They lived at 625 North Randolph Street in Allentown and were the parents of Ted Arbogast, Irene Ballard, Susan Waitkus and Ernest C. Perna. They were members of St. John's Evangelical Congregational Church. Sadness blanketed the family when Richard passed away at the age of 42 on June 20, 1960. His remains were lowered into repose in Greenwood Cemetery. Four years later, on March 28, 1964, Miriam married Ernest S. Perna ( ? -2003). Rev. Robert G. Hower officiated at the nuptials, held at St. John's church. She earned income for the family through her work at Western Electric Company. Sadly, Ernest died on Dec. 13, 2003. Miriam survived him by two years. She succumbed at home on June 20, 2005. The Allentown Morning Call published an obituary. Burial was in Arlington Memorial Park in Whitehall.

Daughter Rachel F. Weidner (1895-1981) was born in about 1895 in Allentown. As a young woman, she made a home in Rittersville and earned income as a silk picker. She was wedded twice. On Aug. 31, 1915, she was united in matrimony with her first spouse, Floyd Grover Litz Sr. ( ? -1991), son of Reuben and Mary A. (Frey) Litz of Hellertown. Rev. D.B. Clark officiated at the wedding held in South Bethlehem. The Litzes lived at 641 Sherman Street in Allentown and bore three sons, Floyd Grover Litz Jr., Chester Litz and Donald Litz. Floyd worked for 46 years for Bethelehem Steel Corporation, retiring in 1959 from his position as a shipping supervisor. At some point in time, the couple divorced. Rachel later was joined in marital union with her second husband, Warren Polster (June 29, 1885-1951), son of John and Caroline (Weiser) Polster. They lived at 20 North Charotte Street in Pottstown, Montgomery County, PA, with Warren employed as a carpentry foreman with a railroad. At the age of 66, having suffered for a year with lung cancer, Warren died on Dec. 16, 1951. Burial was in Northwood Cemetery in Emmaus. As a widow, Rachel made a home in 1981 at 320 North 16th Street. Rachel died the age of 86 on Oct. 7, 1981. An obituary appeared in the Allentown Morning Call. Her former husband Floyd Litz was an expert ice skater and in 1972, when the Bethelehem municipal rink was opened, was named senior skater and while in his 70s skated four evenings a week. He passed away at the age of 97 on Feb. 26, 1991.

Grandson Floyd Grover Litz Jr. ( ? -2008) was born in (?). In April 1942, he was joined in holy wedlock with Emma Fischl ( ? -1995), daughter of Frank and Rose (Hacker) Rischl of Allentown. They dwelled in Allentown over the years and were members of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church on Allentown's Ridge Avenue. The only son born to this marriage was Thomas J. Litz. Floyd earned a living for many years as general foreman of the machine shop at Bethlehem Steel. He received a master's degree in business administration from LaSalle University in 1947 and a doctor of laws degree from LaSalle in 1954. A figure skater like his father, Floyd belonged to the Hershey Figure Skating club and served as its president. He also chaired the building committee for St. Peter's church. In April 1995, the couple celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. As her health failed, Emma became a resident of Kirkland Village. She died on Dec. 10, 1995 at the age of 76, with an obituary appearing in the Allentown Morning Call. Floyd lived for another baker's dozen of years. He became a member of First Presbyterian Church of Bethelehem where he served as a deacon. Said the Morning Call, he "had three degrees in fitness training, a degree in sports performance nutrition and helped many residents of Kirkland Village with his knowledge of fitness training. He was cut away by the Grim Reaper on Oct. 19, 2008 at the age of 89.

Grandson Chester R. Litz (1916- ? ) was born in about 1916. He married Amy Hall ( ? -1996). Their two daughters were Carol A. Fenstermaker and Jane E. Ivey. During World War II, Chester served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. They resided in Allentown, where he was employed in the research laboratory of Bethlehem Steel Corporation. The family were members of the Harvest Baptist Church in Whitehall. Deeply interested in politics, Chester in 1967 ran for election to Congress on the Constitutional Party ticket. He also served as vice president and treasurer of the local Flag Day Association. Amy died at the age of 73 on July 2, 1996. Chester survived as a widower for a decade. Toward the end, he was admitted to Fellowshiop Manor in Whitehall. He died there at the age of 90 on May 26, 2006. The Allentown Morning Call printed an obituary.

Daughter Helen Weidner (1897- ? ) was born in about 1897. She was deceased by 1972.

Son Charles A. Weidner (1899- ? ) was born in about 1899. Circa 1925, his home was in Trenton, NJ and was in New Jersey in 1972. Later, he relocated to Melbourne, FL.

Daughter Ada M. Weidner (1903- ? ) was born in about 1903. She married Edwin Routzahn ( ? - ? ). They dwelled in 1925 in Philadelphia and in 1981 in Norristown, PA.

Son Roland Weidner (1906- ? ) was born in about 1906. His home in 1925 was in Philadelphia and in 1933 at 1936 West Broad Street in Bethelehem. By 1952, he had moved to Baltimore, MD, where he remained as of 1972.

Mack truck shops of the International Motor Co., Allentown

Son Paul William Weidner (1909-1982) was born in about 1909. For four years, from about 1938 to 1942, he was employed as a machinist by Mack Manufacturing Company. Then during World War II, he joined the U.S. Army on April 1, 1942. He became a ham radio operator at Fort Knox, KY. In September 1942 he was shipped to Ireland and from there was sent to North Africa. He was captured by the German army and reported missing in action on Feb. 16, 1943 in North Africa. He was sent to a prisoner of war camp in Stalag VII-A, Germany's largest POW camp, located north of Moosburg in southern Bavaria. Word was telegraphed to his sister Rachel Litz in Allentown. He remained a prisoner for the balance of the war and was liberated in April 1945. He was sent stateside to Camp Kilmer, NJ. His first wife was R. Helen Nonnemacher (May 5, 1906-1954), daughter of Paul and Rose Nonnemacher of Fountain Hill. They did not reproduce. The couple were members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fountain Hill, and Helen belonged to the Letter Carriers Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Sadly, she died unexpectedly at home on May 4, 1954. Said the Allentown Morning Call, he "worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Bethlehem and Allentown before retiring in 1974 after 25 years of service." He was united in matrimony with beautician Elizabeth C. "Nina" Horvath ( ? -1996), daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kranitz) Horvath. She had been married previously and brought three children to the second marriage -- Julia Fogel, Joan M. McNeal and Steve W. Horvath. Earlier in her adult years, Elizabeth had auditioned for a Rockette position in Radio City Music Hall in New York, and was one of the first fan dancers at Lyric Theater in Allentown. They lived in Whitehall Township in 1981. Paul became ill while visiting his stepdaughter Julia in Bartlett, TN in the late summer/early autumn of 1982. He was admitted to Methodist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, where he died on Sept. 21, 1982. An obituary was printed in the Morning Call.

Longswamp Church Cemetery

~ Son William C.H. Gaumer ~

Son William C.H. Gaumer (1876-1955) was born on Sept. 27, 1876 in Macungie. He was a longtime farmer, residing in the Macungie area.

He was united in holy matrimony with Hettie V. Miller (1896-1936), also spelled "Hattie," daughter of Frank and Mary Ann (Dey) Miller of Longswamp. The bride was 21 years younger than the groom.

They dwelled in Mertztown and were the parents of Calvin Woodrow Wilson Gaumer, Charles F. Gaumer, Kenneth H. Gaumer and Annie Adam.

Circa 1920, federal census records show William's occupation as a filler in a furnace and in 1930 as a laborer in a paint mill.

Sadly, at the age of about 40, in January 1936, Hettie began to suffer from a severe inflammation of the inner lining of her uterus which developed into internal bleeding. She was admitted to Allentown Hospital, but there was no hope. After just a few days, she passed away there on Jan. 16, 1936. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in the Longswamp Church Cemetery.

William outlived her by 19 years. He was a Lutheran and attended the Longswamp Union Church. Later in life, he made a home in Kutztown, Berks County at 246 Chestnut Street. After suffering bleeding into the brain, he was admitted to Allentown Hospital. A week later, he died at the age of 78 on Aug. 1, 1955. Charles F. Gaumer of Kutztown signed the death certificate. Burial was in Longswamp Church Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Allentown Morning Call.

Young people's group at Longswamp Union Church, circa 1920s. Note the church name spelled out in stained glass above the doorway.

When photographed in Sept. 2019 by the founder of this website, the face of their grave marker was two-thirds covered with a hard crust of lichen.

Son Charles F. Gaumer (1914- ? ) was born in about 1914. He dwelled with his father in 1955.

Daughter Annie B.M. Gaumer (1918- ? ) was born in about 1918. She wedded (?) Adam ( ? - ? ). Their home in 1955 was in Reading.

Son Calvin Woodrow Wilson Gaumer (1921-1925) was born on March 31, 1921 in Topton, Berks County. He was destined to have a long life. Tragically, in early July 1925, he was stricken with acute gastro-intestinal problems. Within a week he was dead. At the age of four, in Topton, he was carried away by the Angel of Death on July 17, 1925.

Son Kenneth H. Gaumer (-1929-) was born on March 15, 1929. In infancy, all evidence suggests that he was growing as a healthy baby. But tragedy struck just two days before Christmas that year, when he contracted cholera. Three days later, on Dec. 26, 1929, he succumbed. Burial was in Longswamp Cemetery.

The Gaumer boys' graves at Longswamp, Calvin (1925) and Kenneth (1929)

~ Daughter Bertha Edna Gaumer ~

Daughter Bertha Edna Gaumer (1878- ? ) was born on March 12, 1878.

When she was a little more than a month-and-a-half old, she was baptized by Rev. Thomas N. Reber in Solomon's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Macungie. A record of the event was printed in the 1941 booklet, entitled Centennial Celebration Solomon’s Church (Evangelical and Reformed) of Macungie, Pennsylvania, with an original preserved in the Minerd.com Archives.

~ Daughter Eliza Christiana "Lizzie" (Gaumer) Hohl ~

Daughter Eliza Christiana "Lizzie" Gaumer (1879-1975) was born on July 24, 1879 in Macungie.

Baptism record for sisters Bertha and Eliza

On Nov. 16, 1879, when she was almost four months old, she received her baptism in Solomon's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Macungie, by the hand of Rev. Thomas N. Reber. A record of the event was printed in the 1941 booklet, entitled Centennial Celebration Solomon’s Church (Evangelical and Reformed) of Macungie, Pennsylvania, with an original preserved in the Minerd.com Archives.

She married Joshua C. Hohl (Aug. 27, 1881-1951), a native of Weisenberg Township and the son of Philip C. and Emma (Bennecoff) Hohl.

They produced three offspring, Clarence W. Hohl, Marie Miller and Charles Hohl.

The couple were farmers and lived circa 1910 in Schweyers, PA. They eventually relocated to Kutztown, Berks County and established a home at 449 West Walnut Street. They were members of the New Bethel Zion's Church in Krumsville, PA.

Stricken with cirrhosis of the liver, Joshua passed away at the age of 69 on July 24, 1951. Burial was in their church's cemetery. Son Clarence signed the death certificate.

Eliza survived her spouse by 24 years. She was a member of the New Jerusalem Zion's United Church of Christ in Krumsville. Living with her widowed daughter, she succumbed at the age of 96 on Nov. 1975. Rev. Alvin J. Forry and Rev. Dean A. Allen officiated at the funeral service. [Find-a-Grave]

Son Clarence W. Hohl (1903-1965) was born on Sept. 17, 1903 in New Smithville, Berks County. He married Mamie M. Wartzenluft ( ? - ? ). Their two children were Neil L. Hohl and Fern Rausch. Over the years, Clarence earned a living as a crane operator with Kutztown Foundry and Machine Corporation, an iron foundry. The family belonged to the New Bethel Zion Lutheran Church of Grimville, PA. Their home in the mid-1960s was at 449 West Walnut Street in Kutztown. Suffering with lung cancer, Clarence died in Reading Hospital at the age of 61 on April 27, 1965. His remains were lowered into repose in their church cemetery, and an obituary was printed in the Allentown Morning Call.

Daughter Marie Hohl ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). On New Year's Eve 1932, she wedded Curtis Miller ( ? - ? ), son of Preston G. Miller of Mulberry Street in Reading. The nuptials took place at the home of Rev. A.L. Brumbach on College Hill. Their residence in 1965 was in Boyertown, PA.

Son Charles Hohl ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In 1928, he was united in holy wedlock with Pearl Grim ( ? - ? ), daughter of George Grim of Wensenberg. They dwelled in Kutztown in 1965.

~ Son Clinton J.A. Gaumer ~

Son Clinton J.A. Gaumer (1881-1914) was born on April 8, 1881. He never married.

Clinton lived in Palm, PA, where he earned a living as a farm laborer.

His mental health declined, and a physician attributed it to "insanity." He was admitted to the Lehigh County Home. There, he succumbed to acute pulmonary tuberculosis on Nov. 11, 1914, at the age of 33. William H.F. Kuhns of Wescosville was the informant for the Pennsylvania certificate of death. His remains were lowered into peaceful repose in Trexlertown Cemetery.

Lehigh County Home, Allentown, where Clinton J.A. Gaumer died in 1914

~ Daughter Rosa Bella "Aurora" (Gaumer) Landenfelt ~

Daughter Rosa Bella "Aurora" Gaumer (1883-1979) was born on July 2, 1883.

On Oct. 20, 1906, in nuptials held in New York City, the 23-year-old Aurora was joined in marriage with August "Gust" Landenfelt (Oct. 19, 1880-1955), sometimes misspelled as "Lentenfield." The couple did not reproduce.

Their residence in 1910 was in Allentown.

At one time, August was employed by the Lehigh Valley Transit Company. He also made a living selling kindling wood of all lengths.

Evidence suggests that, demonstrating mental illness which her mother had endured, Aurora was admitted to the State Hospital in Lehigh County. Circa 1914, August paid $52 for her care there, as reported in the Allentown Leader. She remained in the hospital for more than six decades.

Living alone and destitute at 432 North 15th Street in Allentown, the 62-year-old August was found dead on March 9, 1943 by neighbors who had stopped by. Officials gave the cause of death as acute dilatation of the heart, exposure and starvation. Burial was held in Greenwood Cemetery. Funeral director Luther Grim knew that Aurora was August's only closest relative and placed an article in the Allentown Morning Call seeking other relatives to arrange for funeral services. Later that year, the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County held a hearing for someone to be assigned as Aurora's guardian, noting that she was "a feeble minded person."

She outlived her husband by 24 years. In 1975, C.T. Noonan and F.H. Bernecker handled the administration of her legal estate through the Orphans Court Division. She succumbed at the age of 95 in Feb. 1979.