Husband John Adam Gelbach 1 2 3
Born: 28 Mar 1862 - Forward Twp, Butler Co, PA 1 2 3
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Died: Aft 1927
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Father: Philip Gelbach (1817-1884) 4 5 6
Mother: Sophia Dambach ( -1904) 4 5 6
Marriage: 1891 1 3
Wife Mary V. Lusk 3 7
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Father: Dr. Amos Lusk, M.D. (1828-1891) 8 9 10
Mother: Agnes S. Clow ( -Aft 1895) 7 10
Children
1 M Loring Lusk Gelbach 3 11
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2 M Myron S. Gelbach 3 11
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3 F Mary Louise Gelbach 3 11
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Spouse: J. Reed Carpenter ( - ) 3
General Notes: Husband - John Adam Gelbach
He was educated in the public schools of his native township, and completed his education at Zelienople Academy. In 1885 he en-gaged in the feed business at Beaver Falls, where he remained until 1887, and then became a member of the mercantile firm of Gelbach Brothers. In 1892 he sold his interest in the store and joined his brother Jacob, and Amos M. Lusk in the banking business in Zelienople. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church of that borough. He was a Democrat, in politics, and served two terms in the borough council. He was a member of Harmony Lodge, Number 429, F. &. A. M., also of Lancaster Lodge, I. O. O. F.
He attended the public schools and worked as a farm boy until eighteen years of age, when he started a general store, in partnership with a brother, at Zelienople, and subsequently became a member of the private banking firm of Lusk & Son, which, in 1892, became Lusk & Gelbach. After one year of business, the firm style became Gelbach Brothers, and this continued until 1902, when the interests were merged into the First National Bank. Beginning in 1896 Mr. Gelbach was connected with the First National Bank of Ellwood City, and became a resident of that place in 1902.
He remained with his parents on the farm until he was twenty years of age. Then, for about ten years, he engaged in milling and mercantile business in various places until 1892. In that year he became associated with Amos M. Lusk, and under the firm name of Lusk & Gelbach they engaged in the private banking business in Zelienople. About a year later, two of Mr. Gelbach's brothers became interested in the business, purchasing Mr. Lusk's interest, and the firm name was changed to Gelbach Brothers. That business was continued until 1901, when it was organized into the First National Bank of Zelienople. The following year Mr. Gelbach withdrew and became a resident of Ellwood City. In the meantime, in 1895, he was one of several who purchased the controlling interest in The First National Bank of Ellwood City, and he became president.
Mr. Gelbach was interested in many business undertakings in Ellwood City, and no undertaking in the city, whether industrial, social or fraternal, went forward without his cordial cooperation and assistance. It was said by those who are in a position to know that the success of the First National Bank was largely due to his able management. He was president and a director of the Pittsburgh Company; president and director of the Ellwood Water Company; director of the Mathews Conveyer Company, the Ellwood Steel Company, and several other business institutions.
A Democrat in political principle, Mr. Gelbach did not seek office, though he served as a member of the City Council. During the first World War he was very active in forwarding the Liberty Loan drives. He was one of the organizers of the local Chamber of Commerce, and was at one time its president; and also one of the organizers of the Ellwood Country Club. He was also a member of the Rotary Club and of the Masonic Fraternity, being a Past Master of Harmony Lodge, No. 428, and attained the thirty-second degree, affiliating with Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Pittsburgh. The First Presbyterian Church of Ellwood City owed much to the cheerful and continuous efforts of Mr. Gelbach, who was a steward, elder and member of its board of trustees.