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Rev William Gerhardt

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Birth	:	28 Oct 1817 Darmstadt, Stadtkreis Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany
Death	:	6 Dec 1917 Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA
Burial	:	Huntsville City Cemetery, Huntsville, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.4440500, -92.5460000
Inscription	:	To William Gerhardt, DD. Reverently known as the "Father of Pythianism in West Virginia." This memorial is erected expressing the eternal love and respect for him as a shepherd, man, friend and brother by the Grand Lodge Knig
Description	:	It is believed he is a spiritual son of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Berlin, Somerset County. He entered Pennsylvania College, graduated and then entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, graduating in 1847. He was married November 9, 1844, to Lucinda Adeline Riley, of Fairfield, Adams county, Pa., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Taneytown, Maryland. Lucinda's parents were Barnabas (13557739) and Mary (13557772). Lucinda passed away 4/14/1887. Their children were: Laura (#62476332), (b. c. 1847) who married James S. McGuigan in 1871; Mary Elizabeth (b. 7/2/1848, d. 10/20/1848); Helen Isidore (b. 10/15/1849) who married Samuel E. Fox... Read More	It is believed he is a spiritual son of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Berlin, Somerset County. He entered Pennsylvania College, graduated and then entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, graduating in 1847. He was married November 9, 1844, to Lucinda Adeline Riley, of Fairfield, Adams county, Pa., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Taneytown, Maryland. Lucinda's parents were Barnabas (13557739) and Mary (13557772). Lucinda passed away 4/14/1887. Their children were: Laura (#62476332), (b. c. 1847) who married James S. McGuigan in 1871; Mary Elizabeth (b. 7/2/1848, d. 10/20/1848); Helen Isidore (b. 10/15/1849) who married Samuel E. Fox in 1868; William Riley (b. 8/19/1851); Anna Margarite (b. 7/17/1855, d. 8/20/1938) who married William A. Burkhart in 1872; Martha L. (b. 4/1859) who married Robert W. Gibson in 1883; Harry B. (b. 9/20/1860) who married Annie V. Bell in 1881; and Lewis DeWitt (b. 5/22/1864) who married Ella S. Rebert in 1887. He was licensed by the West Pennsylvania Synod in 1847 and ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1850. Rev. Gerhardt first served the Maytown Lutheran Charge in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He took charge 11/4/1846, the same day his brother, Leonard, left the field for Trinity, Londonderry. Then, on June 1, 1852, he began his work in the New Bloomfield (Perry County) Lutheran Charge and served until June 12, 1853. He next served the Stone Church Charge in Northampton County and then at Mt. Caramel, North Carolina. He returned to Pennsylvania when he became pastor of the churches near Jonestown, Lebanon County in 1860. In 1867, he became the pastor at Martinsburg where he remained until his death. In 1880, he received his D. D. from North Carolina College. Lucinda Adeline passed away 4/14/1887. On April 19, 1888, Rev. Gerhardt married (for the second time) a widow, Mrs. Ann C. Mantz. [From the Pennsylvania College Spectrum, 1907} Rev. William Gerhardt, D. D., was born at Beuern, in Hessen Darmstadt. He is descended from a hardy, respectable, and long-lived stock, nearly all of whom, including his parents, were octogenarians. His parents were well-to-do farmers, but their means were greatly reduced by the drain upon their substance in being compelled to furnish food and other aid to the soldiers during the Napoleonic wars. In those days armies on the march had no commissary department and both sides levied indiscriminately on the people, compelling them to furnish food and to move their impedimenta further on their march. In addition to this, contributions were expected from the citizens to cover the expense of the campaign and to crown all a famine came upon the land, owing to the failure of the crops. Under these circumstances Rev. Gerhardt's parents, dreading also the drafting of their children into the army, resolved to leave the 'Fatherland' and emigrate to America in the hope of bettering their condition in this land of freedom and plenty. Consequently, in 1819, with their five sons of whom William the youngest was then two years old, they traveled to Bremen to take ship there. But upon arriving, their means were almost exhausted and they were at a loss as to how they could secure the necessary passage money. At that time there was a great demand for foreign labor in America and, to encouraged the emigration of impoverished but honest and sturdy German families, a custom prevailed of shipping them to America without per-payment of fare, on the condition that they be bound to servitude for a term of years. Availing themselves of this opportunity his family took ship among the 'Redemptioners,' as they were called, and after a somewhat stormy voyage of forty days landed at Baltimore. His parents immediately entered into a service agreements for three years near Hagerstown, Md., the three older sons also being bound out to work until they reached the age of twenty-one, while the younger sons were exempt because of their age. At the expiration of service his parents moved to Somerset county, Pa., where the family was subsequently re-united. When eleven years old, Rev. Gerhardt was hired out to a farmer for several years, getting a few months of schooling in winter. By close application at school and private study, as time allowed, he acquired sufficient elementary knowledge to fit him for teaching in the common schools of that day. He began teaching at the age of sixteen, following it for several winters and performing manual labor during the summer. With this, however, he was far from satisfied, and longed for an education to lift him up higher and fit him for a wider sphere of usefulness in life. His connection with the Lutheran Church by confirmation impressed him deeply and led to a resolve to enter the ministry and so he entered upon the first step in the winter of 1836 when he went to Gettysburg to enter Pennsylvania College. The distance to Gettysburg was over one hundred miles. There was no railroad then running into the town and passengers had to travel by stage, but Rev. Gerhardt was too poor to avail himself of that luxury and was compelled to travel pedibus apostolorum, and at a time when the ground was covered with snow. However, he was a good pedestrian, for afterwards, when he went home on vacations, he generally walked the distance of one hundred and forty miles in three and a half days, averaging forty miles a day. [From the Pennsylvania College Spectrum, 1907} "Martinsburg, July 3 - A Fourth of July celebration in the most unusual manner was held Sunday at the home of Circuit Clerk, L. DeWitt Gerhardt, Martinsburg, W. Va. When Rev. Dr. William Gerhardt performed the baptismal service for his great-great-grand child Leah Rebert Hosey. The generations ran in order as follows: the venerable minister nearly ninety-eight years old, his daughter Mrs. Annie M. Burkhart, of this city, his grand-daughter, Mrs. Ida Davis, of Cumberland, his great-grand daughter, Mrs. Leah Hosey, of Altoona, Pa., and the little eight month old Miss Leah Rebert Hosey who was with her mother. The remarkable part of the celebration was the fact that Dr. Gerhardt performed the marriage service for his daughter, for his great-grand daughter and the baptismal service for his great-great-grand daughter. He did not read from the ritual of the church, but repeated the service from memory." [From a Keyser, West Virginia newspaper in 1915} Rev. Dr. William Gerhardt, the oldest graduate of Gettysburg College, the oldest Lutheran minister in the United States, the oldest member of the order of Knights of Pythias in the world, the oldest educator in this section of the country and the 'Father of Pythianism' in West Virginia, died at his home in Martinsburg Friday, following an illness of a month. He observed the 100th anniversary of his birth on October 28 last, and this was made the occasion of a notable celebration. His living descendants include six children, 33 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. He leaves his second wife, the former Mrs. Wilhelmina Mantz of Martinsburg. He was a member of the orders of Masons, Knights of Pythias, Red Men and Pythian Sisters. Dr. Gerhardt was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, but when an infant, was brought to this county by his parents. He graduated from Gettysburg College in 1841 and from the Gettysburg Seminary the following year when he was ordained to the Lutheran ministry. For the succeeding 25 years he served as pastor of churches in Southern Pennsylvania and as an educator in Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina. He organized the public school system of Martinsburg in 1867, and served as superintendent in 1884, when he retired from active life. He introduced the order of Knights of Pythias into West Virginia in 1867 and was the first past grand chancellor of the state. The funeral will be held in Martinsburg Sunday afternoon at two o'clock. A number of persons from Gettysburg are arranging to attend. [From the Gettysburg Star and Sentinel, 12/8/1917]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Rev William Gerhardt's memorial?
Rev William Gerhardt's memorial is located at: Huntsville City Cemetery, Huntsville, Randolph County, USA.
When did Rev William Gerhardt death?
Rev William Gerhardt death on 6 Dec 1917 in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Rev William Gerhardt's memorial?
Latitude: 39.4440500
Longitude: -92.5460000

Family Members:

Parent

Balthaser Gerhard

(1775 - 1857)

Anna Maria Hentz Gerhard

(1777 - 1865)

Spouse

Annie C Mingle Gerhardt

(1852 - 1935)

Siblings

Children

Annie Margarite Gerhardt Burkhart

(1855 - 1938)

Lewis DeWitt Gerhardt

(1864 - 1960)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Huntsville City Cemetery
Huntsville, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4440500, -92.5460000

2. Boulware-Morehead Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4398600, -92.5504750

3. Henry Austin Cemetery
Huntsville, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4365180, -92.5434960

4. Klink-Lay Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4474120, -92.5345440

5. Little Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4528000, -92.5510280

6. Devore Family Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4269540, -92.5165500

7. Chapman Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4494090, -92.5041380

8. David Austin Cemetery
Huntsville, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4737420, -92.5649930

9. Mount Olivette Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4690780, -92.5131110

10. Hardister Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4799210, -92.5116790

11. Burton-Burk Cemetery
Clifton Hill, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4152590, -92.5930630

12. Hagar Cemetery
Huntsville, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4049988, -92.5130997

13. Phipps-Goodding Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4897420, -92.5200980

14. Old Fort Henry Cemetery
Clifton Hill, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4636990, -92.6114830

15. Holbrook Family Cemetery
Moberly, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4152880, -92.4861960

16. Terry Cemetery
Huntsville, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4985470, -92.5585630

17. New Fort Henry Cemetery
Fort Henry, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4616500, -92.6164990

18. Mount Salem Cemetery
Huntsville, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3890200, -92.5688200

19. Fullington Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3919730, -92.5837650

20. Oliver Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3871600, -92.5831100

21. Charles Barron Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3805710, -92.5589660

22. Sweet Springs Baptist Church Cemetery
Huntsville, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3816500, -92.5259500

23. Mason-Payton Cemetery
Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5067770, -92.5215990

24. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Cairo, Randolph County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4976600, -92.4969900