BIO: PHILIP L. GEBHARD, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, page 271
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    PHILIP L. GEBHARD, the proficient barber at No. 7 Market House avenue,
  Carlisle, is a native of this place, born Aug. 10, 1866. His parents, Jacob
  and Annie (Smith) Gebhard, were both born in Germany, and the mother is still
  living in Carlisle. She came to this country when a young girl. The father
  died in May, 1867. He was reared in Germany, and on coming to America located
  in Chambersburg, where he was engaged in brewing ale. Later he came to
  Carlisle and operated his own plant on the corner of Pomfret and East street,
  following the brewing of ale until his death. He was successful, and died very
  well off, the owner of valuable property. Politically he was a Democrat.
  Fraternally he was a Mason and a member of the Odd Fellows (lodge and
  encampment), and always took an active part in the latter order. At his death
  he left a family of five children Amanda (deceased) married John A. Floyd, of
  Carlisle; George H. is a steamfitter of Carlisle; Margaret married James M.
  Bixler, of Carlisle; William B., at Harrisburg, is employed in the
  Pennsylvania railroad shops; Philip L. is the subject proper of these lines.
    
    Until he was thirteen years of age Philip L. Gebhard attended the public
  schools in his native town, and then he began to earn his living by working
  in a brickyard. He was next employed in learning the trade of a machinist,
  and thus continued for two years. The energetic young man then learned the
  trade of barber with Jacob Spath, of Carlisle, beginning in 1880. By 1892 he
  was sufficiently known politically to be given a position as private messenger
  to the clerk of the House of Representatives at Washington, D. C., and served
  in that position for four years. After his return to Carlisle he opened the
  shop where he may be found today, and it is generally recognized that he has
  the best equipped shaving parlors in Carlisle.
    
    Ever since attaining his majority Mr. Gebhard has been active along
  political lines, being a strong Democratic worker, although not an
  office-seeker. Fraternally he is very well known, belonging to Cumberland
  Star Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M.; the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 91; and the K.
  of P. Lodge, No. 56, Carlisle, having passed all the chairs in the latter
  order.
    
    On December 21, 1887, Mr. Gebhard was married to Miss Ida Elmer, daughter
  of William Elmer, of Carlisle, and one child has been born to them, Vena. The
  family affiliates with St. Paul Lutheran Church. Their pleasant home is
  located at No. 55 South East street, which Mr. Gebhard erected in 1887.
  Since January, 1902, Mr. Gebhard has been serving as treasurer of the county
  almshouse, and as usual acquitting himself creditably. He has an unusually
  large number of warm personal friends by whom he is highly esteemed, as he is
  by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.