September 17, 2024 - Person Sheet
September 17, 2024 - Person Sheet
NameLevi S. Gerhart 
Birth13 Mar 1848
Death13 Apr 1920
BurialKlopps Cemetery, Hamlin, PA
FatherJohannes George Gerhart (1811-1870)
MotherEva Harnish (1817-1900)
Notes for Levi S. Gerhart
18 Apr 1920: Levi Gerhart Passed Away on Tuesday. One of the Best Known Residents of the County. Farmer 19 Years. Bank Director and Grist Mill Business: Levi S. Gerhart, one of the best known residents of the county, died on Tuesday about noon, at his home at Fredericksburg. He had been ill nearly two months, suffering from a complication of diseases. His condition had been precarious for over two weeks and his death was therefore not unexpected. He passed his 72nd birthday anniversary just a month previous to his death to the day. He was particullary well known in the city because of his business interests here.
Born in Bethel: Levi S. Gerhart was born in Bethel township, about two and a half miles northeast of Fredericksburg, March 13, 1848. He had the ordinary rearing of a farmer's boy of this day and in the public schools of his neighborhood thoroughly drilled in the common branches. As a young man, grasping the first practical opening within his reach, he embarged upon a life as a farmer and as such continued for many years. On April 2, 1870, he married Rebecca, daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Edris) Peiffer of Bethel Township, and of this union there were six children.
The Children: Charles C., manager of his father's creamery in Fredericksburg, married Mary Spitler, and they had two children. The mother and one child passed away. Joseph, the other, still surviving. Mr. Gerhart married for his second wife Alice Boltz and they have two children, Pierce and Roy. Mr. Gerhart being engaged at the time in the grocery business at Ninth and Mifflin Streets, Lebanon, Pa.; Ida, who married I.I. Zeller and had two sons, Edwin and Allen (The husband and younger son Allen deceased); George died at the age of twenty-two years; Agness S, who was a music teacher, later marrying H.B. Struass, Undertaker, of Jonestown, and have five children, Russell, Stanley, Kathryn, Harry and Dorothy; Albert, a teamster, married Mary Fink and have five children, Margaret, Levi, Sterling, Emma and Henry.
Conducted Creameries: After marriage, Mr. Gerhart settled upon a farm and continued agricultural pusuits for about nineteen years and, being practical and progressive in his methods, he did well in his enterprises. In 1889 he opened a creamery in Heilmandale, Lebanon county. Conducting the business in accordance with the latest scientific methods, he produced a most excellent grade of butter which command the highest market price. The success of the enterprise encourage him to branch out, and in 1894 he purchased another creamery which was located in Fredericksburg, still retaining his conection with the first one. The second venture prospered even more than the first and in 1897, the business has become so large that he found it advisable to sell his interests in the Heilmandale creamery and turn his entire attention to his establishment in Fredericksburg. In connection therewith he ran a branch creamery in Union township, seven miles West of Fredericksburg, where milk was being brough to the main creamery. Some time later he put his son in charge of the Fredericksburg creamery and in 1901 he purchased the old Stover gristmill four miles South of Fredericksburg, the management of which he had up until 1918 when he retired. As fast as Mr. Gerhart made money he invested it so as to bring in good interest and some years ago he purchased stock in the People's National Bank of Lebanon and also in the Tulpehocken Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Myerstown, and was acting director of both corporations until his death.
Tax Collector: Mr. Gerhart was essentially a business man, but also found time for multiple and social duties. As assessor and tax collector he had done some efficient work in the township. He had served with marked ability the fidelity as deacon and elder of the Reformed Church of Hamlin, of where his family are also members. The POS of A of Fredericksburg considered him one of its most faithful members. Polictically he affiliated with the Republicans. He was a man of domestic tastes with the best interests of his family thoroughly at heart and he was also a most loyal and spirited citizen.
Wife and Children: He is survived by his wife Rebecca and five children: Charles C. of Lebanon; Ida R. Zeller, Lebanon; Catherine, wife of Charles Boltz of Hamlin; Agnes S., wife of H.B. Strauss, Jonestown; and Albert of Fredericksburg. Also the following brothers and sister: Elias residing at Jonestown, Georgia; George resideing near Meckville, Berks county; Christina, wife of the late John Spangler, residing near Mt. Zion; Fianna, wife of the late T.D. Brownmiller, of Schuylkill Haven; and Leah, wife of Albert Rittle, of Avon. There are also nineteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. [Lebanon Daily News]
Born in Bethel: Levi S. Gerhart was born in Bethel township, about two and a half miles northeast of Fredericksburg, March 13, 1848. He had the ordinary rearing of a farmer's boy of this day and in the public schools of his neighborhood thoroughly drilled in the common branches. As a young man, grasping the first practical opening within his reach, he embarged upon a life as a farmer and as such continued for many years. On April 2, 1870, he married Rebecca, daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Edris) Peiffer of Bethel Township, and of this union there were six children.
The Children: Charles C., manager of his father's creamery in Fredericksburg, married Mary Spitler, and they had two children. The mother and one child passed away. Joseph, the other, still surviving. Mr. Gerhart married for his second wife Alice Boltz and they have two children, Pierce and Roy. Mr. Gerhart being engaged at the time in the grocery business at Ninth and Mifflin Streets, Lebanon, Pa.; Ida, who married I.I. Zeller and had two sons, Edwin and Allen (The husband and younger son Allen deceased); George died at the age of twenty-two years; Agness S, who was a music teacher, later marrying H.B. Struass, Undertaker, of Jonestown, and have five children, Russell, Stanley, Kathryn, Harry and Dorothy; Albert, a teamster, married Mary Fink and have five children, Margaret, Levi, Sterling, Emma and Henry.
Conducted Creameries: After marriage, Mr. Gerhart settled upon a farm and continued agricultural pusuits for about nineteen years and, being practical and progressive in his methods, he did well in his enterprises. In 1889 he opened a creamery in Heilmandale, Lebanon county. Conducting the business in accordance with the latest scientific methods, he produced a most excellent grade of butter which command the highest market price. The success of the enterprise encourage him to branch out, and in 1894 he purchased another creamery which was located in Fredericksburg, still retaining his conection with the first one. The second venture prospered even more than the first and in 1897, the business has become so large that he found it advisable to sell his interests in the Heilmandale creamery and turn his entire attention to his establishment in Fredericksburg. In connection therewith he ran a branch creamery in Union township, seven miles West of Fredericksburg, where milk was being brough to the main creamery. Some time later he put his son in charge of the Fredericksburg creamery and in 1901 he purchased the old Stover gristmill four miles South of Fredericksburg, the management of which he had up until 1918 when he retired. As fast as Mr. Gerhart made money he invested it so as to bring in good interest and some years ago he purchased stock in the People's National Bank of Lebanon and also in the Tulpehocken Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Myerstown, and was acting director of both corporations until his death.
Tax Collector: Mr. Gerhart was essentially a business man, but also found time for multiple and social duties. As assessor and tax collector he had done some efficient work in the township. He had served with marked ability the fidelity as deacon and elder of the Reformed Church of Hamlin, of where his family are also members. The POS of A of Fredericksburg considered him one of its most faithful members. Polictically he affiliated with the Republicans. He was a man of domestic tastes with the best interests of his family thoroughly at heart and he was also a most loyal and spirited citizen.
Wife and Children: He is survived by his wife Rebecca and five children: Charles C. of Lebanon; Ida R. Zeller, Lebanon; Catherine, wife of Charles Boltz of Hamlin; Agnes S., wife of H.B. Strauss, Jonestown; and Albert of Fredericksburg. Also the following brothers and sister: Elias residing at Jonestown, Georgia; George resideing near Meckville, Berks county; Christina, wife of the late John Spangler, residing near Mt. Zion; Fianna, wife of the late T.D. Brownmiller, of Schuylkill Haven; and Leah, wife of Albert Rittle, of Avon. There are also nineteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. [Lebanon Daily News]