John B. Gest
John Barnard Gest | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | March 1, 1907 (aged 83) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer, banker |
| Known for | President of Fidelity Insurance Trust and Safe Deposit Company; trustee of the University of Pennsylvania |
John Barnard Gest (November 4, 1823 – March 1, 1907) was a lawyer and banker based in Philadelphia.
Biography
Gest was born in Philadelphia to Ann Barnard and merchant John Gest. He received his early education at private institutions before enrolling at the University of Pennsylvania. During his time there, he became a member of Phi Beta Kappa and held the position of president within the Zelosophic Society. After graduating in 1844, he pursued legal studies under Charles Ingersoll and gained admission to the bar in 1847. Gest established a distinguished legal career with a focus on real estate, patent, and insurance law. When the university launched its law school in 1852, he earned an LL.B. degree.
In 1852, he wed Elizabeth Purves, and the couple had four children: John Marshall, William P., Alexander, and Lydia.
As a committed alumnus, Gest played a key role in founding the University of Pennsylvania alumni association and chaired committees responsible for compiling early alumni records. He served as a trustee of the university beginning in 1877 for more than ten years.
In 1872, Gest was appointed vice president of the Fidelity Insurance Trust and Safe Deposit Company and later became its president in 1890. Under his guidance, the firm rose to prominence among national trust companies and took part in one of the largest bank consolidations of its time. Additionally, he held a directorship at the Mortgage Trust Company of Pennsylvania.
Gest also led several long-standing nonprofit organizations: he presided over the Union Benevolent Association, was a council member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, acted as trustee for Presbyterian Hospital, and served as an elder at Overbrook Presbyterian Church following its establishment in 1888.
In his capacity as executor of Richard Smith's estate in 1895, Gest managed the development of Philadelphia’s Smith Memorial Arch; his likeness is included among Civil War commemorative busts on the monument.
By 1902, Gest was acknowledged as one of Philadelphia's distinguished citizens in Moses King's Philadelphia and Notable Philadelphians.
Death
After suffering from severe bronchitis, Gest passed away on March 1, 1907, in Philadelphia at age 83. The University of Pennsylvania maintains archives containing his family’s documents.