BIO: GEPHART Family, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _______________________________________________ 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. _______________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 125-127 GEPHARTS of Penn township, Centre county. This honored family has for more than seventy years been prominently identified with the interests of the community, and the name is widely recognized as a synonym for good citizenship. Michael Gephart, grandfather of A. J. and M. C. Gephart, residents of Millheim, Centre county, was born near Philadelphia, and in 1826 came from Union county, Penn., to what is now the corporation of Millheim, locating on what is at present known as the Gephart homestead. His ancestors served in the Revolutionary war. He was a thorough and skillful farmer, a man of marked business tact, and a prominent citizen of the community. In Union county he was married, October 18, 1825, to Elizabeth Emmert, and they became the parents of the following children: J. Philip, who was born in January, 1827, and is now an ex-representative, residing in Bellefonte, Centre county; Michael, born November 30, 1829; Jacob, born August 9, 1831; John, born November 27, 1833, died July 22, 1852; Daniel, born September 23, 1836; Catharine, born February 3, 1839; and Elizabeth A., born May 26, 1846. The mother of this family died May 7, 1852, the father in 1873. Jacob Gephart, father of A. J. and M. C. Gephart, was born on the old family homestead, where he spent his entire life, and where his widow still resides. His education was obtained in the local schools, which were superior to most schools of those times, yet inferior to those of the present day, and well did he appreciate the value of good education, for to his children he gave excellent advantages in that respect. The sacrifices that he made in their behalf have been fully rewarded, for they are filling honorable and responsible positions. A farmer by occupation, the old homestead fell to him, and in addition to agricultural pursuits he engaged in the lumber business at times, and became quite well-to-do, owning at his death (in 1893) 225 acres of valuable land. He was an officer in the Evangelical Church, to which he was a liberal contributor. A stanch Democrat in politics, he took a deep interest in the success of his party, but was no politician in the sense of office seeking, though he filled numerous minor positions with credit to himself and the community. He was an earnest and judicious advocate of the Temperance cause, giving time and money to advocate it when the noble cause was yet so unpopular. He was an affectionate husband, kind and indulgent father and true friend, one whose upright, honorable life gained for him the esteem and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. His faithful wife, who still survives him, is a consistent member of the Evangelical Church, and one of the most highly respected ladies of Millheim. Although now nearly three score and ten years of age, she is still well preserved and enjoys excellent health. On November 7, 1852, Jacob Gephart was married to Miss Catherine Decker, who was born in Centre county in 1829, a daughter of Adam Decker (now deceased), and seven children graced their union: (1) Calvin F., (2) Margaret E., (3) Anna C., (4) James M., (5) A. Jerome, (6) M. Clair, and (7) M. Salina. Of these, (1) Rev. Calvin F. Gephart was born October 16, 1853. After attending the home public schools and the local academy, he took a collegiate course at Central Pennsylvania College. New Berlin, Penn., and at the Northwestern College, Naperville, Ill., also a course of study in the Binghamton Music School, of Binghamton, N.Y. Entering the ministry, his health failed, and he then embarked in business at Millheim, Penn., establishing the musical instrument trade now carried on by his brother, M. C. For a number of years he was an instructor in vocal and instrumental music, meeting with success in this line in connection with his studies and business. Believing the ministry of the Gospel to be his proper calling, he completed his Theolog- 126 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ical course at the Gettysburg Theological Seminary, graduating with the class of 1889. Being ordained to the Evangelical Lutheran ministry, Rev. Gephart has served the Church faithfully. When at college he was commended for his hard work and oratorical efforts. As a clergyman he is said to be a good preacher, a faithful pastor and of pleasing manner, having the aptness of winning people to the Church. As a business man he has been very successful in having wiped out "old" Church debts, at the same time increasing, and keeping the membership in good cheer. He has many friends among both clergy and laity. He was married in November, 1882, to Miss Sallie A. Heagy, of Middlesex (Balfour), near Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., and they have a daughter enjoying home and student life with them, their son having died in 1885 at Hagerstown, Maryland. (2) Mrs. Margaret Schoch (nee Gephart) was born, January 6, 1855, at Millheim, Penn. Her education was received in the local schools and at Central Pennsylvania College, New Berlin, Penn. After her school days she devoted her time to music and social and home duties. She was a consistent member of the Church, active in Sabbath-school work, and was a favorite in the best society of the community. In 1879 she became the wife of James Schoch, of New Berlin, Penn., a prominent business man, having landed business interests in the West as well as in his native community. They have one daughter and one son to share the comforts of their comfortable home, over which Mrs. Schoch presides with grace to the enjoyment of their many guests. Mr. and Mrs. Schoch and family are prominent members of the local Evangelical Lutheran Church. Her sister (3), Anna C., was born February 9, 1856, and died November 19, 1858. (4) James M. Gephart was born, October 6, 1857, at Millheim, Penn. After completing the common-school course in his native town, he entered Central Pennsylvania College, at New Berlin, Penn., remaining there for several years. Then, in 1880, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Penn., and, completing his education at that institution, he engaged in teaching school for several years with success. Following Horace Greeley's advice, he "went West," locating at Holton, Kans. There he took up the study of law and was admitted to the Bar. From Holton he went to Seattle, Wash., where he formed a co-partnership with another young man in the practice of law under the name of Steel & Gephart, which firm did a good business for several years, when Mr. Steel was elected to a city position on the Republican ticket. The firm having dissolved by mutual agreement, Mr. Gephart then entered law practice alone, in Seattle, and has continued with marked success. He is regarded as a good, reliable practitioner, inasmuch as he has been appointed to take charge of important interests by the judge of the city courts. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as delegate to State Conventions. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and among his associates he is well liked. (5) A. J. GEPHART was born March 11,1859, at Millheim, was given an excellent education, and was reared, in much the usual manner of farmer boys, upon the old homestead. On leaving the parental roof in 1886 he went West, traveling as far as Washington; but on the death of his father, in 1893, he returned home, and has since had the management of the farm, where he and his mother live. Although a painter by trade, he now gives his exclusive time and attention to agricultural pursuits. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and in religious faith is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He stands deservedly high in the estimation of his fellow citizens, and has many warm friends throughout the community. (6) M. C. GEPHART was born May 1, 1861, at the old homestead, Millheim, Penn. Having completed the common-school course, he taught school for several years with success in the community in which he was reared. Entering Central Pennsylvania College, at New Berlin, Penn., he pursued his studies there for several years, then entered Northwestern College, at Naperville, Ill., and graduated from the business department in 1883. After teaching several terms of public school in his native borough, he, in 1888, again engaged in the music business in Millheim, which he and his brother had conducted several years before. This business he has since carried on successfully. He has been elected to political positions in his home borough, and is popular among the people. He is a man of temperate habits, a member of the United Evangelical Church, and interests himself in matters which are for the people's good. (7) Mrs. M. Salina Goodhart (nee Gephart) was born at Millheim, Penn., February 26, 1863. Being the youngest of the family she was regarded as the favorite, yet was a very dutiful and helpful daughter in the advancing years of the parents. Being of a bright mind, she stood well in her classes at school, although she attended none but the home borough schools, which were accounted good. In 1892 she was married to W. L. Goodhart, a teacher in the borough schools at Millheim, since which time they have COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 127 resided at Millheim, where he has been engaged in business. Two children - one son and one daughter - have come to brighten their home.