Jacob Louis Everhardy, M. D., one of the well known physicians and surgeons of Leavenworth, was born in that city on May 9, 1874, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Naegele) Everhardy, both of whom were born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Peter Everhardy's parents were Matthew and Margaret (Conner) Everhardy, both natives of Prussia. In 1833 Matthew Everhardy came to America and engaged in business as a gardener near Cincinnati. Here Peter was born on Oct. 27, 1847, and until about nineteen years of age assisted his father in marketing the products of the garden. His brother, Jacob, a butcher by trade, located at Leavenworth in 1858, and in 1866 Peter joined him there and for a number of years was associated with him, first as an employee and later as a partner. In 1875 he purchased Jacob's interest and continued the business under his own name. In 1893 he was nominated for mayor of Leavenworth, but declined the honor. Five years later—on Jan. 10, 1898—he took the oath of office as sheriff of Leavenworth county and served in that capacity with credit to himself and in a manner satisfactory to the people of the county. Five children were born to Peter and Elizabeth Everhardy: Jacob L., Mary, Clara, Blanche and Louise.

Dr. Jacob L. Everhardy acquired his early education in private schools. Having properly prepared himself to enter college, he became a student in St. Mary's College at St. Mary's, Kan., where in 1893 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and two years later the degree of Master of Arts. In 1894 he entered the University Medical College, of Kansas City, Mo., where he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1897. Immediately upon completing his course in the medical college Dr. Everhardy began practice in his home city and soon built up a lucrative business. He has served as police surgeon, was secretary of the board of health during the years 1903-04 and is now the examining physician for a number of the principal life insurance companies. He has also served as county health officer; as secretary of the board of United States examining surgeons; secretary of the Leavenworth County Medical Society and secretary of the Kansas Association for the study and prevention of tuberculosis. Although fifteen years have elapsed since Dr. Everhardy received his diploma as a physician and surgeon, he has not allowed himself to fall behind in the march of progress. Realizing that the medical profession is one of evolution and improvement, he has, by reading and observation, kept pace with the advancement of medical science. He is conservative without being non-progressive, does not abandon methods of treatment of known merit for experiment, and prefers the solid ground of established fact to the realm of empiricism. Dr. Everhardy is popular in fraternal circles, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Court of Honor. He is a life member of the Kansas Historical Society and is the chairman of the committee on archives. His parents being members of the Roman Catholic church, he was brought up in that faith and is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. On June 2, 1903, Dr. Everhardy married Miss Louise Hesse, and this union has been blessed by three children: Marie Louise, William Hesse and Elizabeth Selina.