Other Events:

• Emigration: Argentina

Notes:

Lived at Hinter Bäregg according to the Heimatrodel der Tauferfamilien von Langnau.

Christian married Anna Lehmann on 25 Aug 1862. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Michael married Anna Kipfer on 12 May 1820 in Court, Bern, Switzerland. Anna (daughter of Ulrich Kipfer) was born on 3 Sep 1797; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

It appears that this family may have lived at Baeregg according to the Heimatrodel. It also states that they were married in Court (in the Jura) which means they were hiding from Bernese authorities in French-speaking territory. It also appears to mention something about someone in prison. It may simply mean they were in exile as a family.

Family information can be found in the Heimatrodel der Tauferfamilien von Langnau 1791-1870. It appears this family lived at Court in the Jura, indicating they were Anabaptist.

Notes:

Upon the death of their father, Michael inherited "Hinter Bäregg", but he did not appear at the division of the estate. Instead, he sent a representative, Niklaus Gerber of Ober Hapbach. This would have been "Giebel-Glais". The reason was not given for Michael's absence. It has been surmised by some there was ill-feelings between the two, but it appears that Michael in exile in the Jura during this time.

Farmer at Hinter Bäregg. Co-managed Giebel before his mother's death.

This Michael's brother, Christian, was known to be a well-respected elder in the Mennonite church before converting to the "Neutaufer" movement. His cousin, Johannes, was also Anabaptist.

Unter Hapbach was purchased by father Niklaus Gerber and given to son from second marriage, Niklaus, during the division of his estate. Zähjs Holz confirms that Unter Hapbach was bought by a (half)brother of Giebel Glais (Niklaus).

According to documents obtained from family in Switzerland, he was suspected to be the father mentioned in the Gerber Book of Deacon Michael Gerber of Hapbach, a Mennonite minister who immigrated to Ohio (USA) and who became the ancestor of 650 descendants. However, his birth and death dates are a little off. Deacon Michael emigrated from Chaluet in the Bernese Jura, likely due to fleeing from religious persecution. The spouse names are not the same, either. This individual was known to live at the farm called Hinter Baeregg in Langnau. Both individuals are mentioned separately in the "Heimatrodel der Tauferfamilien von Langnau 1791-1870" with different families. Finally, Deacon Michael's father's name was said to be Christian, not Michael.

Michael married Anna Roethlisberger on 21 Aug 1787. Anna was born on 12 May 1761; died in 16 May1831. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Likely born 24 Apr 1761 to Peter Roethlisberger and Aeschbacher

Notes:

From "Geschichte der bernischen Täufer" by Ernst Müller, page 565:

On March 20, 1811, the small council thanks the announcement of these actions and adds that henceforth all children of the Anabaptists should be baptized as before the revolution. However, the execution of this arrangement encountered further difficulties. The pastor of Langnau reported to the church council that four older children of Michael Gerber on the Hinteren Bäregg refused to be baptized and, along with several others, also did not want to be instructed. The answer of the small council is that according to the directive of February 26, 1810, people who have not yet been baptized are to be encouraged to be baptized. They are also to be instructed and admitted so that they can be entered in the church register and their rights as citizens are not forfeited. However, if these legal requirements are satisfied, they are free to attend the table of the Lord or to stay away from it.
The pastor in Langnau then explains that the five quite adult children of Gerber on Bäregg would probably give offense when they were forced to be baptized and that the children would have to be fetched by the policeman every day, so that you teaching would be of no use. The church council now proposes that children under the age of ten should be brought to baptism by force, since no exceptions can be made in civil laws <383>. Parents of children who are not baptized by the age of 16 should lose land and civil rights.
According to a report by the prefect of Signau on April 26, 1813, the Anabaptists also refused to take the oath of homage. The Council of State declares that, pursuant to Article 7 of the Decree of August 25, 1806, they are consequently excluded from exercising all civil rights and from being able to vote for any position.

This family appears to have lived in Muenster in the Jura mountains. That would indicate they fled from religious persecution. According to the "Geschichte der bernischen Täufer" by Ernst Müller, civil penalties, including loss of land, could have been the penalty if not all children were baptized by the age of 16. This would explain why the family is later living in the Jura mountains. It would also explain why the youngest male child, Ulrich, was baptized on 15 Mar 1811. He would have been the child to maintain rights to their farm, Hinter Baeregg. So, there was a pragmatic reason to have him baptized.