Gebhard's maternal grandfather, Thomas E. Davis, a wealthy New York property developer, made provisions in his will for Gebhard and his sister to receive incomes from his estate until they were 30, at which time the title of the investment would be transferred to them. In 1893, Gebhard took legal action on behalf of himself and his sister to enforce this clause. His grandfather's estate included properties in New York City, some in the vicinity of Broadway, Nassau, and William streets, and others uptown. Gebhard and his sister were each entitled to one twenty-fourth part of this estate plus a contested part of their aunt Nora's share due to her death in 1874.
