OBIT: J. Edward GONSMAN, 1916, East Freedom, Blair County, PA

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J. E. GONSMAN DIES AT EAST FREEDOM
Postmaster and Prominent Merchant Succumbs at His Home Saturday

  J. Edward Gonsman, postmaster and prominent merchant at East Freedom, 
died at his home suddenly on Saturday evening at 9:30 o'clock, of heart 
failure following an attack of typhoid fever from which he suffered 
about three weeks.
  Mr. Gonsman was widely known, having been a lumberman early in life 
and for seven years was lumber inspector for the Pennsy.  During the 
last seven years he was engaged in the mercantile business at East 
Freedom.  He was appointed postmaster three years ago.  Late in October 
he became ill with typhoid fever, but was confined to bed only ten 
days.  He was improving until Saturday, but weakened by the attack and 
heart failure ensued Saturday evening.
  Mr. Gonsman was the son of Fred and Louisa Gonsman, both deceased, 
and was born at East Freedom, December 16, 1875.  He is the first to 
die in a family of thirteen children, and was wedded to Miss Nellie 
Hoover a number of years ago.  She survives with five children: Aldine, 
Winifred, Burnett, Melvin and Norbert.  Twelve brothers and sisters 
also survive.  They are: Mrs. Carrie Byrod, of Steelton; Mrs. Mattie 
Diehl, New Portage Junction; Mrs. Blanche Earnest, Mrs. Emma Miller, 
Charles R. and Frank Gonsman, all of this city; George, Pasadena, Cal.; 
Mrs. Florence Hileman, Johnstown, and Mrs. Ella Roberts, Miss Pearl and 
Miss Bertha Gonsman, all of Carnegie.
  For many years the deceased was a member of St. Patrick's Roman 
Catholic church, Newry, and East Freedom tent, No. 141, Knights of the 
Maccabees of the World.  The cortege will leave his late residence 
tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock and will proceed to St. Patrick's church, 
where requiem high mass will be said at 10 o'clock, followed by burial 
in the church cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday Morning, November 20, 1916