BIO: Edwin J. BURD, M.D., Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 121-122

EDWIN J. BURD, M.D., is one of the most eminent and skillful physicians of 
Centre county, and is now located in Snow Shoe, where he has built up a large 
and lucrative practice. In a comparison of the relative value to mankind of 
the various professions and pursuits, it is widely recognized that none is so 
important as the medical profession. From the cradle to the grave human 
destiny is largely in the hands of the physician. Although our subject is one 
of the younger members of this honored profession, he has already won an 
enviable reputation.
  Dr. Burd was born, May 5, 1866, in Rebersburg, Miles township, Centre 
county, a son of John R. and Susanna (Gephart) Bard, natives of 
Northumberland and Union counties, Penn., respectively. The father's birth 
occurred in August, 1819, and in 1826 he was brought by his parents, John and 
Eleanor (Reynolds) Surd, to Centre county, and is still an honored resident 
of Rebersburg, where he is engaged in the saddlery business. The 
grandparents, who were natives of Ireland, first located in Northumberland 
county, where the grandmother died at the advanced age of ninety-two years, 
and the grandfather was killed while at work in the lumber woods.
  The mother of our subject was born in January, 1819, and was a daughter of 
Michael and Hannah Gephart, the former a native of Union county, Penn., and 
the latter of Ireland. In 1821 they came to Centre county, where they spent 
their remaining days. The great-grandfather Gephart was of German birth. Mrs. 
Burd was called to her final rest, June 19, 1892. She was the mother of six 
children: Emma, wife of John Beck, a cabinet-maker, of Duncannon, Penn.; 
Ella, who is with her father; Angie, wife of James Tharp, a conductor on the 
Lehigh Valley railroad, and residing in Easton, Penn.; Mary, wife of Horace 
Breisch, who is also a conductor for that company and a resident of Easton; 
Winfield S., a dentist of Bellewood, Blair Co., Penn.; and Edwin J., of this 
sketch.
  At the age of thirteen years, Dr. Burd began the battle of life for 
himself, at first working in a brick yard, where he was employed for four 
years during the summer months, while in the winter he attended school. In 
1883 he began

122  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. J. W. Bright, with whom he 
remained two years, and in the winter of 1885-86 he attended a course of 
lectures at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore. On his return home he 
resumed work in the brick yard, where he remained until the following winter, 
when he went to Bellefonte. In that city he secured a position in the drug 
store of Dr. M. A. Kirk, but two months later it was destroyed by fire. He 
next engaged in clerking in Easton for two months, and during the following 
six months filled a similar position in the store of Cyrus Jacoby, at South 
Bethlehem, at the end of which time he was taken ill with typhoid fever and 
was compelled to return home.
  In the summer of 1888, Dr. Burd resumed the study of medicine, and in 
October of that year entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where 
he graduated April 3, 1889. He at once opened an office at Rebersburg, but 
two years later came to Snow Shoe, where his skill and ability were soon 
recognized. Besides his large general practice he is also serving as surgeon 
for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which important position he has filled 
since coming to Snow Shoe. His political support is ever given the men and 
measures of the Republican party, and in religious belief he is a Lutheran.
  On July 28, 1888, Dr. Burd was married, in Rebersburg, to Miss Katherine S. 
Stover, who was born in Aaronsburg, Centre county, August 12, 1870. She is 
the youngest of the three children born to Thaddeus and Mary (Geuseweite) 
Stover, who are still residents of Rebersburg, where the father is engaged in 
farming. The sisters of Mrs. Burd are Carrie, wife of Henry Detwiler, 
professor of the public schools of Rebersburg; and Lula, at home.