Joseph Eberhart, founder of the Eberhart family in Kansas, was born March 19, 1800 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He married Catharine Kistler on November 15, 1821. They were members of the Lutheran Church before their marriage and had been schoolmates while children. Joseph lived with his father on a farm until he was about eighteen years old, when he took up the tailor's trade. In 1845, he began listening to stories of the west, where land was ready to be planted and could be had for the homesteading. Joseph sold his farm and household goods. On March 1, 1854, the family gathered about the dinner table and ate their last meal at home in Pennsylvania.

Nine neighbors and their families were with the Eberharts when they started for Kansas. They traveled the Allegheny, Ohio, Mississippi, ;and Missouri Rivers. On March 21st, they reached Westport landing. Four of the Eberhart boys, Henry, Paul, Louis, and Andrew took an ox team and pushed further west. Franklin was their first stop, but with too many mosquitoes and not enough water, they moved on up the valley to Lawrence and then southwest one mile (northwest of what is now Pleasant Grove Church). There they chose a spot upon which to erect a cabin.

On July 4, 1854, the entire family ate their first dinner in their new Kansas home. A few weeks afterwards a new cabin was built for Joseph a little distance from where the Dunkard Church stands at Pleasant Grove. In this house the first church of Douglas County was held. Soon after, Richard Cordley of Lawrence became a regular visitor here for the purpose of conducting church affairs. In the log cabin, plans were made for the organization of what became the English Lutheran Church of Stony Point. Joseph Eberhart remained on this farm until the spring of 1865 when he sold it to Abraham Flory and bought a quarter section from Jake Bransen on which Stony Point church now stands.

On November 30, 1882, Joseph passed to his reward in Heaven and on December 2 was followed by his wife. Side by side theri bodies rest under the shade of the trees in the still and peaceful glade of Stony Point Cemetery near Vinland, Douglas County, Kansas.

The most important work of Joseph Eberhart was the bulding of the Stony Point Church, which was accomplished by the assistance of his sons and son-in-law. This building was dedicated November 18, 1873 and within its walls were taught the truths of God to all who came.

This picture was given to the library by the children of Issac Hemphill in 1936. It and a picture of Catherine Kistler Eberhart were carried in by William L. Hastie and his cousin Mrs. William Endacott, who are grandchildren of Joseph and Catherine. Miss Brace M. Endacott, who has charge of the Education Library, is a great grand daughter, her mother, Rebecca L, of Sarah A., daughter of Joseph and Catherine Eberhart. Photo has been touched up by hand.