John Gebhard

John Gebhard (February 22, 1782 Claverack, Columbia County, New York – January 3, 1854 Schoharie, Schoharie County, New York) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Life

Gebhard attended the public schools of Columbia County. He studied law with his brother Jacob, was admitted to the bar and practiced in Schoharie County. He was the county Surrogate from 1811 to 1813, and from 1815 to 1823.

In addition to practicing law, Gebhard farmed and was involved in several business ventures, including construction over the Schoharie Creek of the Middleburgh Bridge, which travelers paid tolls to use.

Gebhard was elected as a Federalist to the 17th United States Congress, holding office from December 3, 1821, to March 3, 1823. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law.

Gebhard was also an amateur geologist and mineralogist, and with his son John Gebhard, Jr. (1802-1887) was one of the first explorers of the limestone caves in and around Schoharie County, including Howe Caverns. Gebhard amassed a large personal collection of minerals found in the caves, and provided samples to other academics and researchers. John Gebhard, Jr. was later employed by the New York State Museum of Natural History, to which his family later sold the senior Gebhard's collection.

He was buried at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Schoharie. There is a cenotaph in his memory at Claverack Dutch Reformed Churchyard in Claverack.

Gebhard's daughter Charlotte was the wife of Charles Goodyear, who also served in Congress.

External links

• John Gebhard at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Harmanus Peek	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 13th congressional district 1821–1823	Succeeded by Isaac Williams, Jr.