David W. Gault, p. 931

DAVID W. GAULT. The prominent and influential family, of which the subject of this sketch is a worthy member, and representative citizens of Nottingham township.

Alexander Gault was born in 1797, on a farm in Washington county, Penn., where his youth was passed in the usual duties of agricultural life. On December 8, 1825, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wilson, who bore him five children, namely: James, Edith, Sarah, John W. (who enlisted in Company K, P. V. Cavalry, and died in the service December 7, 1862) and Alexander (deceased). The mother died soon after the birth of her youngest son, and Mr. Gault was afterward married to Jane Flack, who was born in 1807. The children of this marriage were as follows: Robert, Mary J. and Addie, the last named being the only one yet living. The father owned about 150 acres of land. He died in 1872; the mother on February 15, 1887.

James Gault, son of Alexander and Mary (Wilson) Gault, was born in 1826, in Washington county, Penn., where his youth was passed. In 1853 he married Maria Sumney, a native of Nottingham township, this county, who was born in 1832, and has always resided in the vicinity of her birth place. Four sons and two daughters have been born to this marriage as follows: Mary, David W., Alexander, John (deceased), Ettie and William. Mr. Gault has, with the exception of short intervals, always resided in Nottingham township, and has held almost every local office. He owns twenty-five acres of fertile land, and makes a specialty of fruit raising.

David W. Gault was born April 11, 1855, in Washington county, Penn. He completed his education at Pittsburgh, Penn., and received a diploma from Duff's Commercial College. After leaving school he embarked in a sawmill and lumber business and also managed a farm of 130 acres. On September 4, 1884, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Martin Kammerer, a son of John Kammerer, who was born, in 1793, in Germany, and was educated in the schools of his native land. In 1820 her grandfather was married to Margaret Rigar, who was born in 1800 in Germany, and, bidding farewell to his young wife for a time, sailed for America in 1821. After finding a suitable location for a home, he sent for Mrs. Kammerer the next year, and settled in Washington county, Penn., where he followed the business of a millwright and miller. He then worked two years as a carpenter, and afterward engaged in a general mercantile business. He also leased, of one Thomas Officer, eighty acres of land on the present site of Kammerer village, which land he purchased in 1881, and erected thereon a dwelling and store room. He then built a tavern, and in 1845 erected a saw and grist mill, which was burned September 22, 1850, but was rebuilt the following year. Five children were born to his first marriage, namely: Mary Ann, born December 16, 1821; Barbara, born August 11, 1822; Catherine, born May 20, 1825; John, born April 1, 1827; and Martin, born April 14, 1829, all now deceased. The mother of this family died in February, 1830, and on July 21, 1830, Mr. Kammerer married Elizabeth Bender, a native of Germany, and the following children came to this union: Jonathan, born July 31, 1831; Joseph, born May 20, 1835; Elizabeth, born February 28, 1837; Jacob, born November 22, 1838; William S., born February 23, 1843 (on the Board of Trade in Chicago), married to a daughter of Dr. Emery, of Dunningsville, Va.; and Franklin G., born February 24, 1845 (with William S., Room No. 35, Board of Trade, Chicago, known as the Kammerer Co., brokers), married to a daughter of Dr. Hildreth, of Wheeling, W. Va. Of this family Jacob died July 27, 1839, and Jonathan died October 20, 1887. The mother died May 18, 1859, having been preceded by the father July 24, 1856. He served in many township offices.

Martin Kammerer was born on the home place, and in early life was married to Catherine Sumney, who was born in 1829. They had three children: Mary (Mrs. David Gault), Flora (wife of Robert McNary) and Ella (married to William McGregor). Mr. Kammerer was a miller and distiller, and until shortly before his death was a partner in business with his brother Joseph. The latter years of his life were spent on the farm, where he died June 25,1890, having been preceded by his wife June 4, of the same year.

Three children have brightened the wedded life of David and Mary (Kammerer) Gault, namely: Donald, Charles and Frank. Mr. Gault has filled many local offices in Nottingham township, and is a representative farmer.

Text taken from page 931 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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