Floyd Co Indiana , obit.

GEBHART, John Frederick

from the Postal Press 2 APR 1907 p5c1 (New Albany, Floyd County,
Indiana)

   John Frederick GEBHART, for nearly fifty years a leading citizen of
this city, died at his home, 808 Upper Market street, last Wednesday
morning, his death being due to nervous prostration.  For several months
Mr. GEBHART had not been in his usual health, but was able to be out
every day and as late as Tuesday afternooon went driving with mrs.
GEBHART.  He was born in Maytown, Lancaster county, Pa., December 16,
1831, being at the time of his deata few months past seventy-five years
of age.  He is survived by his widow and four children, three sons and
one daughter.  They are Mrs. W. A. HEDDEB, of this city, James GEBHART;
of California, J. R. GEBHART, of Seymour, Ind.; D. R. GEBHART, of
Kirksville, MO.  In addition ten grandchildren survive.  Nearly half a
century ago Mr. GEBHART settled in New Albany, establishing a small
woolen mill, the first enterprise of the kind here.  He had associated
with him the late John C. CULBERTSON, a wealthy capitalist, who died a
few years ago in California.  the venture was successful and a few years
later Mr. GEBHART became interested in the company which operated a
woolen mill on Vincennes street, becoming its general manager.  This
plant from a comparatively small beginning became the largest factory of
the kind west of Philadelphia, and employed over 700 operatives, turning
out millions of dollars in products annually.  Much of its success was
due to the exertions of Mr. GEBHART, in whom was united business
sagacity of a high order with mechanical and inventive genius.  At the
time of his death, Mr. GEBHART was president of the New Albany Hosiery
Mill, one of the most important industries of the city.  Mr. GEBHART was
the originator of the Waterworks Company and was president of that
corporation at the time the plant was constructed and put in successful
operation.  For several years he was president of that corporation at
the time the plant was constructed and put in successful operation.  For
several years he was president of the New Albany StreetRilway Company,
and while acting in that capacity did much to improve the system.  He
was also a memeber of the Board of Directors of the Kentucky and Indiana
Bridge Company when that important improvement was forst contemplated,
and remained in that capacity until after the bridge was built and in
successful operation.  The NewAlbany and Eastern railway was another
enterprise in which he was concerned and while its president was
instrumental in building the branch road to Watson and the belt line
along the New Albany levee, to be used as feeders for the bridge.  Upon
coming to New albanany he became a member of the First Presbyterian
church, and had been an elder for many years.  He was especially
interested in the choir, being an accomplished musician, and was its
director for thirty years.  He was always ready to contribute both of
his time and means to the church work.  The funeral took place Friday
afternoon from the First Presbyterian church under the auspices of
DePauw Lodge of Masons of which he was a member.  The honorary pall
bearers were Louis HARTMAN, Charles HEGEWALD, J. E. CRANE, Dr. H. J.
NEEDHAM, James DAY, J. O. BRADFORD, Judge J. H. WEATHERS, Samjuel W.
VANCE, Frank ZINSMEISTER, Prof. J. F. ELSOM, Charles McCORD, Samuel C.
MILLER.  The active pall bearers were George A. NEWHOUSE, Jr., Edward A.
REILLY, Arthur F. SMITH, William P. DECKER, Allen G. Wright, W. A.
BEACH, Harold BARRETT and John A. HARVESON.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons.
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain
the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative
of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof
of this consent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Sue Carpenter <spcarpenter@ka.net>
(© 1999 Sue Carpenter)