Henry H. Gelbach was born in Lancaster County, May 23, 1825. His parents afterward moved to Lebanon County where he converted and joined the United Brethren Church at age seventeen. Soon after, he was granted a quarterly conference license at a session of Lebanon Circuit and an annual conference license in 1854. There is no record of his education or trade until he served as a junior preacher from 1866-1867. He was ordained in 1869 and served as pastor of Lebanon Salem church from 1869 to 1872 and then was appointed presiding elder, 1872 to 1874, 1878 to 1884, and the last half of the 1883 to 1884 year. He served the Lebanon Circuit 1874 to 1877, Union Deposit 1877 to 1878. Poor health necessitated his retirement in 1884 and he died July 8, 1886.
From the description of Henry H. Gelbach diaries, 1869-1878. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 70193529