Gephart, Henry

Capt. Henry "Harry" Gephart
Oct. 20, 1820-March 12, 1901

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 13, 1901, page 3, col 6-7, microfilm Niles District Library


    The death of Capt. Henry Gephart occurred at this farm home one mile east of this city, at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning, March 12, 1901.  Senility was the cause.  Mr. Gephart was a native of the Buckeye State, born in Montgomery county ten miles from Dayton, October 20, 1820. His father, Daniel Gephart, was a native of the good old state of Pennsylvania, but moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, with his father when a boy. They located on the present site of the city of Cincinnatti, when but one other house was standing there. They were among the first in that region, and entered land from the government. The grandfather inherited the thrift and energy of his German ancestors and became quite well off.
    While a resident of Montgomery county, Daniel Gephart became acquainted with Miss Mary Engle, a native of Virginia and of German descent, and their nuptials were celebrated in that county.  After marriage, they located on the Big Miami, and there kept a hotel for twenty or twenty-five years. They also owned large tracts of land in that county, and gained it all through economy and industry, for they experienced all the privations and hardships of pioneers.  About 1833 they went to South Bend, Ind., and after residing there for three years, crossed the line into Michigan, locating in Niles township, Berrien county.  There they kept the old Digens Hotel for a few years, and there, in 1836, the father received his final summons, dying when sixty years old.  The mother survived him many years, and died in California when in her ninety-sixth year.
    The nine children born to this most estimable couple, were in the order of their births as follows:  David, William, Robert, Henry, John, Horace, Sarah Ann, Mary Jane and Harriet, the latter being Mrs. Bartlett Gray of this city. She and a sister in California are now the only surviving members of the family.
    Capt. Henry Gephart, the fourth son and fourth child of the above-mentioned family, was thirteen years of age when he went with his parents to South Bend, Ind., and sixteen years of age when he settled with them in Berrien County.  When 18 years old our subject was bound out to learn the carpenters trade to a man named Childs and he remained with him until 20 years. old. He then started out for himself, with a pair of overalls and a shirt , and made his way to Niles, where he began working at the carpenter's trade.  Later he began working as a shipcarpenter and followed this for about five years, helping to build several big boats.  From there he went to Michigan City, and worked on the big "Montezuma,", a sailing-vessel for some time. In 1848, he assisted in building the first railroad bridge over the St. Joseph at Niles, but being seized the following year by the gold fever, he went to California by way of Salt Lake City with horse teams.
    After remaining in California for about two years, engaged in mining, Capt. Gephart returned to the East, by way of the Isthmus, and landed New York without any trouble. From there he made his way to Michigan, and was engaged in the livery business in the State for some time.  Selling out, he began keeping hotel in Niles, and ran the {illegible] house for one year, then bought the Pavilion hotel and ran it three years, then trading it for city property, after which he bought a farm in Niles township, where he tilled the soil for about three years.  This farm he sold for $10,000, and in 1862 he raised a company which became a part of the Twelfth Michigan Infantry.  Although promoted to the rank of Major, for some reason he never served in that capacity. He participated in the following battles: Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Iuka and Hatchie.
    Just previous to entering the army Mr. Gephart loaned the $10,000 he had received for his land, and on his return received only one-third of the amount.  In 1866, he purchased the farm one mile east of town, where he has ever since resided.
    Miss Mary Baird, who became the wife of our subject, is a native of the Empire State, born in Ripley, Aug. 7, 1831, and came to Michigan in 1851. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gephart, vis: Emma, wife of Chas. Harris of Mackinac; Fannie, wife of Frank Langston, who resides at the homestead; Annabel, who died when four years old; Hattie, wife of Robert Probasco of Chicago; Mae, a teacher in the public schools in this city; Harry, occupying a positon in Manistee and Maude, who died at seventeen years of age.
    In politics, Mr. Gephart has always been a staunch Democrat. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has always been one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of the county. For several years past, owing to the infirmities which come with advanced years, he has led a quiet life and some time ago laid way the cares of his farm.
    The funeral will occur tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence, and will be in charge of the members of the G.A.R.  Rev. D.J. DeCoux of Trinity church will officiate.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Also Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 13, 1901, page 3, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    Mr. and Mrs. Robert Probasco of Chicago, accompained[sic] by Mrs. Henry Gephart, and Mrs. Chas. Harris of Mackinac,Mich., arrived in the city today, called by the death of Mr. Henry Gephart.  Miss Mae Gephart arrived from Chicago last night.
Niles Republican, Thursday, March 14, 1901, page 1, col. 6, reprinted from Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, March 13, 1901, microfilm Niles District Library


From Wednesday's Sun.

    The funeral services of the late Capt. Harry Gephart, who passed away at his home one mile east of town yesterday noon, will be held at the late residence tomorrow afternoon at 2 opclock, Frank Graves' Post, G.A.R., having the same in charge.  The cause of Mr. Gephart's death was senility. He has been failing for several years.
    Deceased has been a resident of Niles for many years and was formerly proprietor of the old Galt House, now burned down, and the "Old Pavilion."  He was also a well-known and prominent wheat buyer for many years. He was a captain in Co. E. 12th Mich. in the civil war.
    He leaves a wife and five children: Mrs, Charles Harris of Macinaw[sic] City, Mich.; Mrs. Robt. Probasco of Chicago; Mrs. Frank Longston[sic], residing at the old homestead; Miss Mae, at home; and Harry of Manistee, Mich.  He also leaves a sister, Mrs. Bartlett Gray, of this city.