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Charles Ganson	CHARLES H. GANSON.    The history of Urbana would be incomplete without mention of the Hon. Charles H. Ganson so inseparably has his life record been interwoven with the annals of this municipality and of Champaign county.  Honored and respected by all, he has long been a leader in public thought and opinion and his efforts have been of material benefit in the upbuilding and progress of his city.  He was born here Oct. 19, 1836, and is a son of William H. and Anulette F. (Toxey) Ganson, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been born in Chester and the latter in Lancaster county.  They were married in the Keystone state and after about a year came to Ohio, making the journey overland.  Taking up their abode in Urbana, they spent their remaining days here with the exception of a period of about four years during the boyhood of our subject, when they lived on a farm in this county.  The father was at first engaged in agricultural pursuits and afterward turned his attention to carriage manufacturing, which he followed for a number of years.  He next engaged in the livery business, in which he has succeeded by Mr. Ganson of this review.  In his business undertakings he met with a fair degree of success.  His political support was given the Democracy in ante-bellum days and later he joined the ranks of the Republican party.  He held membership in the Reform Presbyterian church to which his wife also belonged.  Her death occurred in 1847 and he passed away in 1881 at the venerable age of eighty years.  In their family were five children:  Charles H.; William M., of Illinois; Benjamin F., of Urbana; Anna E. and Emma.      With the exception of a short period spent upon the farm Charles H. Ganson passed the days of  his boyhood and youth in his native city, enjoying the privileges offered by the public school system.  When twenty years of age, however, he removed to Illinois and spent ten years in the west, there engaged in farming.  On the expiration of that period he returned to Urbana and became his father's successor in the livery business, which he still continues, although his efforts have not been confined to one line, for he is a man of liberal business ability and his labors have been potent elements in the successful conduct of many industries and enterprises.  In connection with his stables he has been for many years extensively engaged in buying and selling horses.  For thirty years Major Thomas McConnell, now deceased, was his partner.  He has frequently been associated in his business undertakings with his brother, B. F. Ganson, and such relations are now existing between them, being a member of the firm of C. H. Ganson & Company, and also of the firm of McConnell & Company, thus being interested in the ownership of two stables.  He also has large and valuable farming interests, owning and operating arable land in both Ohio and Illinois.  He has a valuable farm of five hundred acres located twenty miles south of Peoria, Illinois, in one of the richest districts of that splendid agricultural state.  He is also president of a large stockholder in the Urbana Electric Light & Power Company.  Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion, brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by prudence and honorable effort and to-day he occupies a commanding position in business circles, not alone on account of his keen discernment and unfaltering industry, but also because of the honorable methods he has ever followed.      In 1857 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ganson and Miss Jennie Rewalt, of Canton, Illinois, and their home has been blessed with two children:  Emma and Jonas Randolph.  He is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias lodge, and is a consistent member and liberal contributor of the Swendenborgian church.  His deep interest in agricultural affairs has been manifested in helpful lines, and for twenty years he has been honored with the presidency of the Champaign County Agricultural Society, which has largely benefited by his efforts in its behalf.  He has also been president from the beginning - a period of ten years - of the Mad River & Miami Fair Circuit now composed of fourteen fairs.  Along these lines he has done everything in his power to stimulate pride in agricultural and stock raising interests, and his labors have resulted largely to the benefit of the farmer.  In politics he is a pronounced Republican and no one need ever question his position, for while he is never bitterly aggressive he never fears to state with clearness his belief.  He has been honored with public office, including that of alderman, having been a member of the city council of Urbana for live years, while for three years of that time he was its presiding officer.  His record as mayor is unparalleled in the history of the city, for through sixteen years he has been the chief executive of Urbana.  He filled this office for some years and then after an interval of two years was again chosen and continued as the chief executive until 1898, when he retired from office as he had entered it, with the confidence and good will of all concerned.  His administration has ever been practical and progressive, has brought many needed reforms and improvements and he has ever exercised his official prerogatives for the benefit of the public and not for self-aggrandizement.  Over the record of his public career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil and justly does he deserve the confidence and respect which is uniformly accorded him. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 440
Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Gaumer	EDWARD B. GAUMER.    It is with particular pleasure and satisfaction that we turn attention to the life history of the honored citizen of Urbana whose name initiates this paragraph, for not only has he been for many years prominently identified with the industrial activities of the city, being now the only resident of the place who has been consecutively in business here from the time when he founded his enterprise - nearly a half century ago - so that his is the distinction of being the oldest business man in the city; but in addition to this circumstance stands the record of an honorable and prolitic life and a genealogical history which bespeaks long identification with the annals of the nation, the Gaumer family having been founded in Pennsylvania prior to the war of the Revolution.      The original American ancestor in the agnatic line was Johannes Dietrich Gaumer, who was one of a company of about fifty emigrants who came from Wurtemberg, Germany, to the United States in the year 1720, locating in Pennsylvania, whither they had fled to escape religious persecution in their native land, all being of the Lutheran faith.  Edward Benjamin Gaumer, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Macungie, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of August, 1827. the son of Charles and Lucy Ann (Snyder) Gauiner.  Charles Gaumer was a son of Frederick and Sallie (Desch) Gaumer, the latter of whom was a daughter of Adam Desch, who came from Wurtemberg, Germany, and located in Pennsylvania, where he purchased a tract of land, on the 23d of September, 1788.  He and his wife, Gertrude, had two sons and four daughters, namely: Jacob, Philip, Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary and Sallie.  Lucy Ann Snyder, the mother of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Peter and Sophia (Friend) Snyder, the former of whom was a son of Peter and Dorothy Snyder, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. In the various generations the families have clung to the faith of the Lutheran church and have represented the most sterling manhood and womanhood.  Charles and Lucy Ann (Snyder) Gaumer became the parents of six children, namely: Edward B., the immediate subject of this sketch; Sarah Ann, James Aaron and Charles Madison, who are deceased; and Josephine Clarissa and Sophia.  The father was a tailor by trade and vocation, and both he and his wife passed their entire lives in the Keystone state.      Edward B. Gaumer was reared in his native town, where his educational advantages were somewhat limited in scope, and there he served an apprenticeship of three years at the trade of carriage-making, after which, at the age of nineteen years, he left home and went to Reading, Pennsylvania, where he was employed as a journeyman at his trade for a period of about five years.  Thereafter he was located about a year in Philadelphia, returning thence to Reading for a time and then coming to Marshallville, Wayne county, Ohio, the home of one of his aunts.  Thence he went to Wooster, where he was employed for a time in making hoppers for threshing machines, after which he made his way on foot to Zanesville, the hardships encountered while en route being such that he was incapacitated for active work for six weeks after his arrival in the town mentioned.  There he was employed at his trade for nearly year and then passed an equal period in similar occupation in the city of Columbus.  From the capital of the state he came to Urbana, arriving on the 1st of March, 1854.  By industry and economy he had accumulated a small financial reserve, and this proved adequate to enable him to engage in business on his own responsibility.  He associated himself with William Warren in the purchase of a carriage shop in Urbana, and the firm of Warren & Gaumer thereafter continued in business until the death of the senior member, in 1890, when the firm of E. B. Gaumer & Sons was organized and has since continued the enterprise, which has grown to one of no inconsiderable scope and importance, involving the manufacture of all varieties of light vehicles, sleighs, etc.  The factory is well equipped and its products are of the highest degree of excellence, being built upon honor and invariably showing the best workmanship and finish.  This is the oldest manufacturing concern in the city, and its history has been one characterized by progressive methods and indubitable integrity on the part of the interested principals, while the venerable founder of the enterprise, still strong and vigorous, is well known throughout this section of the state and is honored and esteemed by all who know him.  Mr. Gaumer has always been an uncompromising Republican in his political views, but has never consented to serve in any public office.  He has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran church and upon his entire career rests no shadow of wrong or suspicion of equivocation in any of the relations of life, his sturdy honesty of purpose being a dominating characteristic.  He has given close attention to his business and has not been denied a due measure of success nor the reward of public respect and good will.      On the 13th of March, 1850, Mr. Gaumer was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Hamman, who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of January, 1825, and who proved to him a devoted wife and true helpmeet, her gentle and noble character endearing her to all with whom she came in contact, while her memory remains as a benediction resting upon those who were nearest and dearest to her.  She was summoned into eternal rest on the 17th of August, 1896, having been a devoted member of the Lutheran church.  Mr. and Mrs. Gaumer became the parents of five children, all of whom are living except Mary Lucy, who died in childhood.  The survivors are Augustus H., George F., Alice L. and C. Blanche.      Augustus H. Gaumer was born in Urbana on the 18th of December, 1856, completed his education in the high school of his native city, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1874, and during his business career has been identified with the enterprise established by his father nearly a half century ago.  In 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Cyrena Johnson, of Urbana, and they have two daughters, - Josephine A. and Keran J.      George E. Gaumer, who is likewise associated with his father in business, was born in Urbana on the 25th of January, 1861, and was graduated in the local high school in 1879.  In 1897 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Martha Kunath, who was born in Neustadt, Germany.  They have two children, - Edward K. and Agnes H.  The two daughters of our subject still abide beneath the paternal roof, and the old home is a center of generous hospitality. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 330
	THOMAS MALANCTHON GAUMER.  Back to patriot sires and model matrons Thomas Malancthon Gaumer traced his descent, and justly cherished a pride of birth which begot potent purpose and unfaltering effort to maintain, and perchance exalt, through the mediums of medicine and journalism, and enviable ancestral record.      Thomas Malancthon GAumer was born in Adamsville, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1848, a son of Jonathan and Mahala (Barrett) Gaumer, a grandson of Daniel Gaumer, and great-grandson of Jacob Gaumer.  Jacob Gaumer was born in Pennsylvania, and in his country's time of need left his farm and those dear to him and followed the martial fortunes of Washington from Fort Du Quesne to Yorktown.  In 1806 he removed from Pennsylvania to Muskingum county, Ohio, where his death occurred in 1824.  Daniel Gaumer was also born in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Ohio in 1809, his death occurring in 1859.  Jonathan Gaumer was born in Ohio, and devoted his entire life to agriculture, and his death occurred in 1859.  To himself and wife were born the following children:  Thomas M.; Charles N., a prominent citizen and newspaper man of Mansfield, Ohio; Hannah J.; Rachel V.;  Daniel H., who is deceased; Mary; Martha; and Cidda.      While still young in years Thomas Malancthon removed with his parents to a farm in Muskingum county, which continued to be his home until 1876.  He was educated in the public schools and at Denison University at Granville, and subsequently taught school for a number of years.  Having determined to devote his life to the practice of medicine he entered the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and graduated therefrom in 1876.  The year previous he married Eliza M., daughter of Barton and Julia (Walker) Cone, and thus became allied with a family as meritorious as his own.  Barton Cone was born in Monroe township, Muskingum county, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1824, and was a son of Jared Cone, a pioneer of Muskingum county.  Jared Cone, son of JAred, son of Mathew, son of Jared, son of Daniel, the latter of whom was born in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1626.  Daniel Cone came to America with two brothers in 1660 and settled in Haddam, Connecticut, where he died in 1706.  Mrs. Gaumer's paternal grandmother, Eliza (Schoff) Cone, was a daughter of Philip Schoff, one of the heroes of the Revolution.      After his marriage and graduation Mr. Gaumer located in Wyandot county, Ohio, and after practicing medicine for a time removed to Adamsville, which continued to be his home until 1882.  In the meantime his aspirations had undergone a change, and he seems to have found less in his profession than he expected.  At any rate, after weighing the chances, he decided in favor of journalism, and henceforward medical science knew him only as an erstwhile practitioner.  After purchasing the Champaign Democrat, at Urbana, he edited and published the same for about a year, and then, in partnership with his brother, D. H. Gaumer, ran the Zanesville Signal, a daily paper.  Upon disposing of his interest in the Signal in 1887, he re-purchased the Champaign Democrat, and from then until the time of his death, Sept. 30, 1893, his energies were devoted to making of this sheet a practical and interesting news dispenser.  He was a stanch Democrat, a keen observer of men and events, and had the faculty of finding out what the public wanted to know.  His editorials evinced a world of common sense, and an intelligent understanding of all sides of prevailing public conditions.  He was a member of the Lutheran church, and was fraternally associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  His wife, who survives him, is the mother of three sons, Charles Edmund, Frank Cone and Bruce Barton.  Charles Edmund is editor and owner of the Middletown (Ohio) Daily Signal, and inherits much of his father's ability as a news paper man.  The two younger sons and their mother own and pubish the Champaign Democrat, of which Frank C. is editor and manager.  He is one of the most promising young journalists in Champaign county, and is exceedingly popular in social and business circles.  He also is identified with the Odd Fellows.  Mrs. Gaumer is a member of the Baptist church. and is a woman of fine personality, and sterling qualities of heart and mind. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 90
Mr. and Mrs. John Goul	JOHN GOUL, who resides on the Mechanicsburg and Bellefontaine pike, was born in Union township, Champaign county, on the 6th of February, 1832.  His father, Christian Goul, was a native of Rock bridge county, Virginia, where he was born on the 6th of September, 1804.  In 1817, when thirteen years of age, he came with his parents to Champaign county.  His father, Adam Goul, was born near Frankfort, Germany, in 1761, a son of Frederick Goul, also a native of the fatherland, and he died at sea while on his way to America.  Adam Goul came to America in 1763, and during the latter part of the Revolutionary war he served as a teamster therein.  He was married to Miss Elizabeth Lutz, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1773, and after their marriage they moved to Rockbridge county, Virginia, where they made their home until 1817.  In that year they came to Champaign county, locating in Goshen township, about two miles north of Mechanicsburg, where they cleared and improved a farm.  They became the parents of eight children, Mary, George, Frederick, William, John, Christian and Henry.  Gertrude died when young and George died of camp fever while serving his country in the war of 1812, but the other children lived to a good old age and were married.  Adam Goul died on the 12th of October, 1845, aged eighty-four years, and his wife was called to her final rest on the 13th of November, 1846, in her eighty-third year.  They were members of the Presbyterian church, and were numbered among the prominent old pioneers of Champaign county.      Christian Goul, the father of him whose name introduces this review, received his education in the county of his nativity.  After his marriage he located on government land in Union township, Champaign county, where he remained for about three years, and during that time our subject was born.  Mr. Goul thence returned to Goshen township, later made his home in Marysville, Union county, for about one year, for three years was a resident of Richwood, Ohio, and in 1854 again returned to Goshen township.  His death occurred in Mutual, Union township, Sept. 6, 1879, passing away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was long a worthy member.  In the early days his residence was always the home of the ministers, and he did all in his power to promote the cause of Christianity among his fellow men.  He also assisted materially in the erection of the house of worship at Mutual.  Nearly his entire life was spent within the boundaries of Champaign county, and all who knew him entertained for him the highest respect and esteem, for his enire life was above reproach.  In his early manhood he voted with the Whig party, and after the organization of the new Republican party he joined its ranks.      Mr. Goul was married in Goshen township.  Miss Ruth Lawson be coming his wife.  She was born in Brown county, Ohio, Dec. 8, 1806, but at three years of age was brought to Goshen township, Champaign county, and here she lived to the age of ninety-two years.      Her father, Thomas Lawson, was a native of Pennsylvania, but subsequently removed to Brown county, Ohio, and in 1809 took up his abode in Goshen township.  He was of German descent, and his wife was of English origin.  Mrs. Goul was the second of their eight children, and the eldest daughter.  Eight children were born unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Goul, namely: Luellyn, a farmer of Madison county, Indiana; Adam, a resident of Union township, Champaign county, Ohio; John, of this review; Newton W., also a farmer of Union township; Jane, the wife of John Strock, a farmer of Johnson township, Champaign county; Sarah, deceased; Rachel, also deceased; and Anna, the widow of Thomas Thompson, a resident of Union township.      John Goul, the subject of this sketch, attended the subscription schools of his neighborhood during his early youth, and was afterward a student in the district schools.  He remained at home and assisted his father in the work of the home farm until after his marriage, which occurred on the 28th of September, 1854, Miss Susan F. Coffenberger becoming his wife.  She was born near Williamsport, Maryland, on the 23d of December, 1835, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Turner) Coffenberger, both natives of Virginia.  The father died in Maryland, and afterward, in 1845, the mother came with her family to Champaign. county, locating in Union township.  Mrs. Goul was then about ten years of age, and she has spent the remainder of her life in this locality.  She is the sixth in order of birth of her parents’ seven children.      Mr. and Mrs. Goul began their domestic life in a little log cabin on the farm on which they now reside, which continued as their place of abode for six years, and then, in 1860, they removed to Union township, where they built a small log cabin and cleared a farm.  Selling their possessions there in 1864, he purchased another farm in the same township, and on the 2d of May, of the same year, enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private.  He enlisted for one hundred days’ service, and on the expiration of that period received an honorable discharge and returned to his home and family in Union township.  In 1869 he traded his place there for the old homestead, which has been in the possession of the Lawson and Goul families since 1815, and here he has one hundred and fifty-five acres of excellent land, all under a fine state of cultivation, thirty-seven and a half acres in Union township, which farm is also well improved.  He is also one of the stockholders in the Farmers’ Elevator at Mechanicsburg.      Five children have been born unto the union of our subject and, wife, two sons and three daughters, namely: Ella, who was born Sept. 3, 1855, and died on the 9th of October, of the same year; George, who was born Apr. 25, 1857, and married Ollie Wyant, of Madison county, Indiana; Isabel R., who was born July 3, 1859, and died on the 28th of July, 1880; Parthenia F., who was born Nov. 7, 1861, and died Oct. 16, 1870; and Walter S., who was born Feb. 18, 1868, and married Louisa Pullens. They reside in Columbus, Ohio, where he is employed in a steel plant.  Mr. Goul has been a life-long Republican, his first presidential vote having been cast for Fremont, and he twice voted for Lincoln.  He has been the choice of his party for many township offices, but he would never allow his name to be used as a candidate for county offices.  Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mechanicsburg, in which they are active and prominent workers. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 149