GEBHART-John W. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John W. GEBHART, a leading and influential citizen of Newtown, is a native of Indiana, and was born in Fountain County near Hillsborough (sic) in 1837, having continued to reside in the county ever since. Engaing in a variety of businesses from early years, he has by an unvarying course of honest industry, energy and ability won success in life, held positions of trust, and deservedly received the high regard and esteem of the entire community by which he has been surrounded, and to many of whose members he has been personally known for over 3 score years. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Philip & Catherine Barriet Gebhart, both natives of PA and descendants of German ancestry. The grnadfather was a man of courage, resolution and endurance and served his country faithfully in the War of 1812. In 1824, Grandfather and Grandmother Gebhart, journeying from PA to the Westward, located in the then sparsely settled state of Indiana. Miles of almost unbroken prairie greeted their eyes as they traveled hither, but to them it was the land of promise, and they were content. Among the group of children in the family of these early pioneers was the father of our subject. Named in honor of his father, Phillip, he was born in Berks County, PA in the year 1809, and was therefore about 15 when he came to the state destined to be his future home and the birthplace of his immediate descendants. Upon arriving at mature age he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Shupart who was a native of Butler Co OH. The parents of our subject were the father and mother of 9 children, all of whom grew upt o years of busy industry, and became useful and honored citizens. The 7 brothers and two sisters received the benefit of the district schools of that early time, but were all trained to assist in daily work and were taught the value of thrift and prudent management. In 1862, our subject, John Gebhart, married Miss Mary J. Rice, a most estimable lady, well known in the county and the daughter of William M. Rice, an old and highly respected settler in that section of the state. For several years Mr. Gebhart engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits and carried on a general farming business until 1874, when he served about one year as Deputy Sheriff under Jackson Rice. At the close of his official service, he bought out the store in which he has since so prosperously conductd business, and still retains an active and controlling interest in the management of its affairs. Politically, our subject is a member of the Democratic party, and, while he is liberal in sentiment, believes firmly that right and justice are the main foundation of the Jacksonian principles and platform, which he has advocated all his life. Mr. Gebhart has been always deeply intersted in the national issues of the day, and is thoroughly posted in the conduct of public affairs.Under the Presidential administration of Grover Cleveland, he received the official position of Postmaster of Newtown, the manifold duties of which office he discharged with ability and great acceptance to the general public. Mr. and Mrs. Gebhart are the parents of two sons, both succesful and representative business men. William D. in 1887 entered into the general merchandising business with his father and has since aided materially in extending the trade, which is increasing yearly in its territory and the value of its returns. Charles E, the youngest son of our subject is the prorietor of a tailoring establishment, and occupies a leading position among the mercantile itnerests in his section of the county. The entire family, father, mother and sons, have a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and are prominently connected with all social and benevolent enterprises of Newtown.