BIO: John A. GUMBERT, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 339-340.
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  JOHN A. GUMBERT, Orbisonia, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born near 
Westminster, Carroll county, Md., November 3, 1862. He is the son of 
Frederick and Anna Christina (Hastfield) Gumbert.  John A. Gumbert's 
father, Frederick Gumbert, was born in Germany, April 13, 1822. he was 
a young man when he came to America, and settled in Maryland, where he 
was married, February 25, 1855, to Anna Christina Hastfield, born in 
Germany, October 16, 1825. Miss Hastfield came to America alone, and 
joined her brothers in Maryland. Some time after, her father and step-
mother also came to Maryland. Mr. Gumbert was a cooper and weaver, and 
worked at both these trades while living in Maryland. In 1864 he moved 
to Huntingdon county, Pa., and bought a farm in Springfield township. 
He sold this farm in 1868 and bought one in Meadow Gap which he 
exchanged for another farm in 1869; on this one he lived until 1886. He 
then bought a house and lot in Orbisonia, where he resides, and works 
at weaving. Mr. Gumbert's political views are Democratic. His wife is 
still living. Of their ten children only three survive: David, born 
July 15, 1859, a farmer in Huntingdon county; Catharine Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Eli Wakefield), born March 19, 1861, living in Huntingdon county; and 
John A. Gumbert. Mr. Frederick Gumbert and his wife are members of the 
Dunkard church.
  John A. Gumbert was seventeen months old when his parents moved to 
Springfield township, Huntingdon county, Pa. He remained at home until 
he was eighteen, attending the public schools in winter and working 
with his father on the farm. In the summer of 1882, he hired as a farm 
hand to William Cook, working for him nine months, then came home and 
stayed there until, in August, 1883, he hired as farm hand for two 
years in Germany valley. In 1885 he went to Petersburg, working for 
farmers and on the railroad. He spent one year in Potter county, Pa., 
peeling bark. In 1889, Mr. Gumbert returned to Huntingdon county and 
purchased from his father a farm of 165 acres, in Cromwell township. 
Here he built the home to which he brought his bride, Elizabeth, 
daughter of James and Elizabeth (James) Morgan, April 28, 1891. Their 
only child, James Frederick, died in infancy. On March 31, 1897, Mr. 
Gumbert made a sale of his personal property, and removed to Tyrone, 
Blair county, Pa., where he is at present engaged in working by the 
day. Mr. Gumbert is a self-made man. He is a Democrat; in voting, 
however, he considers character rather than party. He is a member of 
the Dunkard church.