The funeral of the late John Gebhard, Jr., at Schoharie yesterday was one of the largest ever held in the county. The remains lay in state at the courthouse on Saturday and were viewed by hundreds.
Yesterday morning a special train, which had been provided through the efforts of Hon. Elliot F. Danforth and Prof. James Hall, was run from this city to accommodate friends from this city who desired to attend the services. The party consisted of Prof. James Hall, State geologist; Prof. Charles H. Peck, State botanist; Prof. J. A. Lintner, State entomologist; Prof. Chas. E. Bucher, John D. Clarke and James W. Hall, representing the State department, Hon. Elliot F. Danforth, representing the State officials, and the following: James W. Hutt, general superintendent of the National express; F. G. Babcock, proprietor of the American house; Isaac B. Cross, H. P. Dprr, Frank J. Hildbrant, Sidney S. Mitchell, G. S. Wicks, E. F. Weaver, R. J. Boylan. Jr., I. P. Ladd, Martin C. Sheeny, Aid. Hitt and Dr. S. H Wells.
The services were held at the Lutheran church, and the structure was scarcely adequate to o contain the immense congregation that assembled. An impressive voluntary, by Miss Kittie Boyce, preceded the brief and eloquent sermon by the young- pastor, Rev. Mr. Keller.
In eulogizing the virtues of the deceased, he said; “On October 22, 1802, there was born in this county one of those happy souls who seem destined to carry sunshine wherever they go. As he grew from childhood to manhood, he panoplied himself in the confidence of the people, which brought forth rich fruit in his afterlife. Holding positions of trust and confidence almost continuously from 1832 to the time of his death, he evidenced in all his true manhood.
“Throughout this long and useful life, there was one trait of character always prominent—the kindliness of his heart. No cry of distress ever fell unheeded upon his ears, for his heart answered. Imposed upon by some, he distinguished not between such and heaven-given opportunities, and thus impoverished himself. Believing that all nature is a commentary upon Divine revelation, he forced from the dumb lips of nature many of her secrets, and attained .to no mean eminence in the world of science. Without divorcing nature from science, as so many do, he was an interested hearer of the preached word. He will be missed in this congregation, for whose church he felt almost an idolatrous love, and for which he did many helpful things.”
The Rev. Edwin Vedder offered a feeling prayer, and the congregation sang “Nearer, My God to Thee,” after which the remains were borne to the hearse and consigned to their last resting place in the Lutheran cemetery.
Among the bearers were Judge Mayham and Martin Luther Schaffer. Many of the prominent officials of the county were among the congregation, including Judge Peter S. Danforth, of Middleburgh: Seymour Boughton, Hon. John B. Grant and Hon. Hobart Krum.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Items on John Gebhard Jr. posted this month here, and on the website’s landing page, “Cave Country news, updates, new posts & features,” add new details to the early geologist’s life. The remarkable life is featured in “The Gebhards of Schoharie,” Chapter I, Section IV of Underground Empires: Two Centuries of Exploration, Adventure & Enterprise in NY’s Cave Country. The book is available through this website.