My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES WEIKEL GERHART, of Ambler, Pennsylvania, whose extensive business interests place him among the leaders in industrial circles, has achieved that success which is the logical result of enterprise, systematic effort, resolute purpose and straightforward dealing. He is the fourth child and second son of Levinus and Sarah Ann (Weikel) Gerhart, and was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1861.

Levinus Gerhart (father), son of Philip and Sarah (Boyer) Gerhart, was born December 29, 1824, in Lower Salford township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where his father (Philip Gerhart) owned and operated a farm, and for a time the old grist mill which had been for many years the property of the Gerhart family, but which more recently had been known as the David Harr mill. Levinus Gerhart received such schooling as was afforded to country boys, but found as other boys born to his estate that work and plenty of it was the only means of obtaining a livelihood. After his marriage he established himself as a farmer in Bucks county, in which occupation he achieved remarkable success. On November 1, 1857, he married Sarah Ann, born November 2, 1830, daughter of Charles and Katharine (Wampold) Weikel, farmers of near Sellersville. Their children were: 1. Catharine. 2. Elizabeth Ann, married Emanuel Shelly, of Bucks county. 3. Reuben B. 4. Charles Weikel, mentioned at length hereinafter. 5. Henry Weikel, married Kate Holpp of Philadelphia, and now resides in that city. 6. Maria, married John Hemback, son of Michael Hemback, of Bucks county; John Hemback died, and she married for her second husband Samuel Katz; they reside at Souderton. 7. Sarah, married Oswin Wolfe, of Ridge Valley, Montgomery county. 8. Annie, married Frederick Heckman. 9. Hannah, unmarried, resides at Argus, Bucks county. 10. Elizabeth, married Harvey Beiley, of Trumbauersville, Bucks county. 11. Frank, married Clara Cressman, of Philadelphia.

Charles W. Gerhart attended the public schools of his district, at Ridge Road, and, learning by force of circumstances the necessity of earning his own living, left school at an early age and applied himself to farm work. Learning later in life that there were other occupations more remunerative than farming, he relinquished this work and branched out for himself. For several years after his marriage he resided in the city of Philadelphia, whence he removed in 1888 to Ambler, where he established himself in the livery business, and by his close application to this particular line of work has built up an extensive trade. In politics he is a staunch adherent of Democratic principles, and while interested in the success of his party takes little active part in its affairs.

On February 17, 1886, Mr. Gerhart married Fannie Helen Oberholtzer, born February 26, 1861, (daughter of Christian H. and Margaret Jane (Gordon) Oberholtzer, of Gwynedd township. Their children are: Lulu Margaret, born January 12, 1887; Helen Alma, born January 19, 1889; Ross Gordon, born April 14, 1890; Charles Wallace, born November 26, 1892; Marion Gracey, born January 3, 1896; and William Wallace, born July 30, 1902.

The Gordon and Oberholtzer families, from which Mrs. Charles Mr. Gerhart is descended, are amongst the old and substantial families of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Ross Gordon, her grandfather, was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. He married, January 26, 1830, Fannie Nutt, of county Derry, Ireland. They came to this country and settled near North Wales. Ross Gordon followed farming as an occupation, and became prominently associated with the affairs of the community. Their children were:

1. William, born February 6, 1831, in Ireland, where he remained with his grandparents until his seventeenth year, coming at that age to this country; he assisted his father on the farm, and became a soldier, serving through the Civil war. Subsequently he went west, and for a time was in command of a military post near Bala, Kansas, where he married.

2. Margaret Jane, born March 28, 1832, at North Wales; married, March 2, 1850, Christian H. Oberholtzer, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Huntzberger) Oberholtzer. Christian H. Oberholtzer was a farmer and dealer in cattle, and resided on different farms in Montgomery and Bucks counties. Their children were: William Henry, born August 28, 1854; John Ross, born January 3, 1857, died November 21, 1857; Ross Edward and Fannie Helen, twins, born February 26, 1861. Fannie Helen became the wife of Charles W. Gerhart (subject), February 17, 1886.

3. Samuel Ross, born January 4, 1834; married Margaret Knipe, of North Wales.

4. John B., born December 22, 1835.

5. John, born September 20, 1837; married Sarah Tyson, daughter of Joseph Tyson, of Norristown, and resides at Bloomsburg, Columbia county.

6. Helen, born January 11, 1840, married William Bissell, a native of Germany, who resides in Montgomery township, engaged in agricultural pursuits.

7. Robert Alexander, born March 7, 1841; married, and resides at Cape May.

8. Fannie Elizabeth, born October 20, 1845; married, January 1, 1870, Thomas J. Rile, and resides at Blue Bell, Whitpain township.

9. Aaron, born October 26, 1848, married Eliza McOlish, and resides in Montgomery township. He is a farmer by occupation.