Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-04-04


vantage Of two weeks difference ii
the season. Earnings in those days
we're meager, but over and above his
simple needs, he gave his earnings to |
his parents.
b. close appl cation At school, and !
private efforts, he obtained Sufficient
knowledge to commence teaching at
the age Of sixteen, which hes follow
ed several winters. doing farm work
during the summer. with this, how
ever. he was not satisfied. bnt longed
for an education to iii chin higher
and fit him for a wider sphere of &C.
taivity and usefulness in life.
After connection with the Lutheran
church BY confirmation, he resolved to
study for the ministry and in the win,
ter OF 1896, he left home for Gettys.
burg, to enter Pennsylvania college.
His parents, being poor, could not
give him any financial aid. AHe had
only few dollars in his pocket, but
the prospect Of some aid from the
church. There was no railroad then.
Travelling vas BY stage, but William
had no means to avail himself II that
luxury, ana was compelled to foot It,
and at a time too when the ground
was covered with snow and the ROAD
in places covered with drifts. He was.
however, a good pedestrian. for after
wards. when going home on vacation,
he generally averaged 40 miles day.
completing the distance Of 140 niles
in three and a half days
He completed his preparatory and
college course N FIVE ard half
/ years., graduating in 1871 For want
Of means he was compelled to utilize
nearly all his vacations in teaching.
He was obliged to practice strict
economy and hence kept bachelors
/, hair nearly all the time. He did not
enter the seminary Immediately after
graduation, but followed teaching for
several years to pay de7ots incurred at
college. and secure means to pursue
his theological course which he did in
1867, after which he was Only or
dained and entered the ministry; his
first charge being Elizabethtown, Ian
caster county, Pa.
He served charges in Pennsylvania.
North Carolina and West Virginia.
The pastorates in Pennsylvania were
laborious. They were large and re.
/ uuired preaching in both languag es;
and every alternate Sunday three
1 services; and, as a matter OF course,
his pastoral work was very exten-i
sive. He was assidious and faithful
in the discharge of all these duties,
/ and had the satifaction to see the
! fruitage of his labors.
Nevertheless, he always had a pre-
objection for educational work, and
spent number of years in this line
81 work in Pennsylvania, Maryland,
/ North Carolina and West Virginia.
and his success in this work gave him
the reputation of being a first class
educator He was the first professor
of the Lutheran institution located at
MI. Pleasant, North Carolina, and by
his efforts raised it's college stand
ing. under the name of North Caro-
lima college; which institution, in
1880, conferred upon him the title of
Doctor OF Divinity deserved recog-
nitfon OF his labors and literary at
/ tainments.
In 1867 he was called to Martins.
burg, W. Va, to take charge Of the
public schools. This was shortly after
the civil war, when the schools were
yet in. "a crude state. He threw him
self INTO the work with energy for
their development, and became an
Important factor ia raising them 10 a
standard that compares fayorably
with the best in he state. In 1887 he
retired from the schools ana the min
istry, with record for faithfulness
and efficiency as a minister and edu-
Gator so Well known as to need NO
further comment.
Dr. GeIhardt is the Oldest citizen OF
Martinsbtirg Aside from the sustais-
ing hand OF Providence. he attributes
his longevity to heredity, needing par
entail lessons, regular habits, uniform
life, temperance. and the kind care OF
both his first and second wife.