Western Carolina University WCU University of North Carolina Asheville UNCA

Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all
University of North Carolina Asheville (6) View all
WCU - Horace Kephart

Calvin I. Kephart to Horace Kephart, January 26, 1925

  • wcu_kephart-2007.jpg
Copyright Download
  • In a letter to Horace Kephart on January 26, 1925, Calvin I. Kephart discusses his genealogy research of Michael Gebhardt from Vielbrunn, Germany. Calvin Kephart confirms Gebhart’s name is similar to family branches discovered by Herr Lang. He describes the history of the town of Vielbrunn and speculates Michael Gebhardt immigrated there because of religious persecution or a bribe from the Count of Erbach. He will continue the investigation into the Gebhardt family through Herr Lang and Heinrich Gebhardt of Erbach.
  • 2131 F St. I.W., Washington, Jan. 26, 1925. Dear Mr. K. Following my reoent letter on genealogical matters, I am now firmly of the opinion that I have hit onto the right stock in Europe, in Michael Gebhardt, of Vielbrunn. The similarity of names is very strong evidence, as I gather by comparison with other branches Herr Lang sent. But, further, last evening t# went to the library of Congress to ascertain just where Vielbrunn is. You will recall that immigrant Adam Gebhard (or Kephart) returned in 1784 to visit his old heme at Breuberg, Odenwald. Well, Vielbrunn is only 4 miles south of the Breuberg castle, Odenwald. It is in Hesse-Darmstadt, in Starkenburg province, which contains the city of Darmstadt, on the extreme eastern edge hear the boundary, right up in the hills or mountains, the highest peak of which, I understand, approximates 2000 feet. In that territory the Oounts of Erbach long held sway. Erbach town is only 3 miles southwest of Vielbrunn. In Erbach is fieinrich Gebhardt, shoe mfr., with whom I have been corresponding in this matter, who is much interested and who apparently is off the same stock. He writes in English. On a map, if you draw a triangle e» the -rnaf, vvith two sides 18.5 kilometers long and the third side 15 km. long, placing the top on Darmstadt city and one corner on the city of Aschaffen- burg, N.E. of Darmstadt, the lower corner will rest on Vielbrunn. In other words, Vielbrunn is 15 km. south of Aschaffenburg. The latter is just east of the Starkenburg boundary in the province of Unterfranken, whereas Vielbrunn is just west of the line in Starkenburg. It is well in the Odenwald district, in about the center. Just why did the earliest member, evidently this Michael, go there from southern Baden or Switzerland? Perhaps as a retreat from religious persecution, or beeause of some inducement offered by the Oount of Erbach* In looking over the compilation sent you, there are two names which could be those of immigrants, namely, Hans Adam, born Dec. 6, 1727, and Johann Leonhard, born Oct. 28, 1732. I am writing to Upper Milford Lutheran Ohurch for gravestone data to check up on this. But our lines must descend from one or two of those not carried into the generation ^wfc-e, of our immigrant ancestors. There of 7 of these, but 5 are the most likely, 3 Johannes born May 5, 1699, Jape 6, 1703, Feb. 21, 1697, and Jch. Balthasar, born May 30, 1695. I shall have further search made in these lines thru Herr Lang and Heinrich Gebhardt of Erbach, as i believe they will disclose our ancestors. If correct, then I shall look to tie onto Michael to the Gebhardt family of Schopfheim, southern Baden, -which originated in canton Bern, Switzerland, for which a booklet is published. Wish me good luck in this investigation, as I believe we are headed correctly this time. Sincerely, CM-1 i

Related items

Part of Collection

Horace Kephart

Background and Early Career Horace Kephart was born in 1862 in Pennsylvania, but spent much of his youth in Iowa. He went on to achieve success in two careers. Trained as a...

View collection Read introduction
panzoom image
wcu_kephart-2007.jpg