Other Events:

• Address: Vorder Giebel, near Langnau in Emmental, Bern, Switzerland
• Name: Christeli

Notes:

Very popular leader of the "new baptism movement" in Emmental called Froelichianer (or Neutäufer), which was established by Samuel Froelich. Christian's name is mentioned in Mennonite history regarding a large separation from the Mennonites. He was called "Christeli" to differentiate himself from his grandson.

The baptismbook of Geiser mentions regarding the breaking away from the Mennonites that the most talented of all Neutäufer (in Langnau) was undoubtedly Christian Gerber. In 1821 he was called to a Mennonite lectureship. In 1832, he had his first contact with Samuel Fröhlich, and in 1834 the first meeting of the Neutäufer was held in Langnau. At times, meetings were held at Vorder Giebel in the Stöckli. In May 1835, he was excommunicated from the Mennonite worship, whereby the community of Neutäufer proclaimed their beginning as mentioned on a letter from Samuel Fröhlich currently at Giebel. He is noted as the armendirektor (a person who oversees benevolence to the poor in the village) in Langnau and owner at Giebel who died in 1894.

There is a letter from Samuel Fröhlich at Giebel. You can find it as a media link on this website HERE.

Christian inherited a third of Vorder Giebel from his mother when she died. His brother, Michael, inherited another third. According to Ruedi Gerber of Vorder Giebel, the dual-ownership of Giebel ended in 1791 and Michael went to live with his father at Bäregg which his father had purchased from a Christian Gerber. Upon the death of their father, Michael inherited the Hinter Baeregg, but he did not appear at the division of the estate. Instead, he sent a representative, Niklaus Gerber of Ober Hapbach.

His will and testament showed that he had 10 children. It also showed he had assigned Giebel to his second oldest son, Niklaus. His youngest son was not capable of taking over the farm as he was possibly disabled. According to Ruedi Gerber of Vorder Giebel in "Usere Altvordern" document, Christian passed down to Niklaus in 1839 1 large farm house, 1 cow barn, 1 Speicher, 1 "Bauchehaus?", 1 house at Giebelkelle, 1 bee apieri, and "Moos" (could be a wetland area or Giebelmoos).

He was known as "Christeli" Gerber.

Christian married Katharina Burkhalter on 11 Jul 1783 in Lauperswil, Bern, Switzerland. Katharina (daughter of Christian Burkhalter and Elsbeth Roethlisberger) was born on 2 May 1766 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; was christened on 8 May 1766 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; died on 31 Dec 1845 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; was buried on 3 Jan 1846 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Address: Schwertschwenden, Ufhusen, Switzerland
• Address: 1826, Giebelmoos

Notes:

According to "Zeitschrift für vaterländisches Recht", Volume 2 By Bernischer Advokatenverein, Christian lived at Giebelmoos in 1826.

Could not handle money and had gone bankrupt. He left Canton Berne and married a Catholic woman. Because she was Catholic, he could not inherit under Berne law. - Marianne Gerber, October 28, 2001

According to Ruedi Gerber of Vorder Giebel, he had arranged to pay off his debts with his debtors.

He had taken a loan against his inheritance because he became bankrupt. He lived for a time in Schwertschwänden, Ufhusen, Luzern.

Christian married Anna Barbara Luginbuehl on 15 Sep 1820 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. Anna was christened on 12 Dec 1790 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; died on 2 Jul 1873. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Address: Vorder Giebel, near Langnau in Emmental, Bern, Switzerland

Notes:

Owner of Vorder Giebel

Niklaus also had a daughter. He died early, so there is no will outlining the separation of the estate.

Great grandson Ruedi said that a Baeregg-Fritz told him that Niklaus had a beard and used to give him nuts from a tree. Another person told him that he was rather frugal.

Niklaus was noted by Ruedi Gerber to be Armendirektor, or a bookkeeper responsible for looking after the poor in the village.

According to Ruedi Gerber of Vorder Giebel in "Usere Altvordern" document, father Christian passed down to this Niklaus in 1839 1 large farm house, 1 cow barn, 1 Speicher, 1 "Bauchehaus?", 1 house at Giebelkelle, 1 bee apieri, and "Moos" (could be a wetland area or Giebelmoos). he held back the Schwandgraben" portion of Lohngratalp for its timber.

Niklaus married Barbara Aeschlimann on 7 May 1819 in Luetzelflueh, Bern, Switzerland. Barbara (daughter of Johannes Aeschliman and Barbara Gerber) was born in 1797; was christened on 15 Oct 1797 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; died on 13 Nov 1861 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; was buried on 16 Nov 1861 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Inherited Giebelkellen. He could not write. In his will and testament, he had made a cross, and the school had to legally verify his signature.

Michael married Katharina Mutti on 23 Feb 1816 in Luetzelflueh, Bern, Switzerland. Katharina was born in in Bolligen, Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Saddle Maker in Langnau

Johannes married Maria Ryser on 6 Mar 1817 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. Maria was born on 26 Nov 1797 in Ursenbach, Bern, Switzerland; was christened on 26 Nov 1797 in Ursenbach, Bern, Switzerland; died on 15 Apr 1826 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; was buried on 18 Apr 1826 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Johannes married Elsabeth Luethi on 13 Jul 1832 in Muri Bei Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Elsabeth was born on 29 Jul 1803 in Ruderswil, Bern, Switzerland; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived in Untern Frittenbach in the community of Rüderswil.

Elisabeth married Christian Baumgartner on 17 May 1816 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. Christian was born about 1791 in Ruderswil, Bern, Switzerland; died on 6 Nov 1871. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Had 2 sons and 2 daughters. Lived in Thun. Died by the time the inheritance was separated. - Marianne Gerber, October 28, 2001 email

Ulrich married Anna Elisabeth Roethlisberger on 28 Jan 1820 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. Anna was christened in in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Julius Billeter Research Notes

Katharina married Peter Hiltbrunner on 30 Nov 1821 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

was widowed by 1849. Previously married to Jakob Kipfer at Bäregg.

Magdalena married Jacob Kipfer on 7 Jul 1827 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Became owner of a farm called "Giebelmoos". Was an elder of the Neutaefer Church until excommunicated. He was single at the time of the reading of the will. He was also a farmer at nearby Moserli as were his descendants into at least the late 1900's.

There appears to be a story about this Peter Gerber on page 393 in "Geschichte der bernischen Täuffer".

Peter married Anna Bartschi in 1861. Anna was born on 28 Jun 1835 in Durrenasch, Aargau, Switzerland; died on 27 Oct 1913. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Mathys Gerber

Notes:

handicapped - could not even write, so he was not given the farm.

Julius Billeter Research Notes

Lived at Widerberg.

Mathys married Marianna Lehmann on 21 Jul 1855 in Muri Bei Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Marianna was born on 12 Oct 1823 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; died on 12 Jan 1886. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He died at five years of age.

Other Events:

• Address: Vorder Giebel, near Langnau in Emmental, Bern, Switzerland

Notes:

Owner of Vorder Giebel

He sold his farm to Ulrich for $60,000, which was worth 250,000 Swiss Francs at the time of his death. Adjusted for inflation, that is worth more than $2 million USD. He loaned out much money as there were many debt letters found at the time of his death. His wealth may have partially be due to him being an only child.

Built the Stöckli at Giebel with meeting room for the church. He held the title of "steward of the poor" at the church.

His wife, a Gerber from the original Gerber house (Baumgarten), was known for her beauty and work ethic.

According to Ernst and Clara's travel log (8 Sept 1929), Christian was mentioned as the person who built the church.

Ruedi said he felt his father, Ulrich, was too interested in cattle trading, but he admired his grandfather Christian who promoted the reunions of the Neutäufer in the Versammlungshaus, or meeting house. This is known as the Stöckli which he built where the Küherhaus/Hüsli used to be. A "küher" was a high-level farm hand who was responsible for caring for the cattle. Apparently, the existing Stöckli has "NG 1862" inscribed on it, referring to Niklaus Gerber.

Anna Elisabeth was said to be from Alteneischeuer or Alteneischürli. Her ancestors, came from Baumgarten. Her parents lived at Baumgarget at her birth.

Christian married Anna Barbara Gerber on 19 May 1854 in Thun, Switzerland. Anna (daughter of Ulrich Gerber and Barbara Gerber) was born on 9 Jun 1835; was christened on 21 Jun 1835; died on 27 Feb 1892. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christian married Anna Siegenthaler on 19 Jul 1851 in Muri Bei Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Anna (daughter of Christian Siegenthaler and Katharina Gerber) was born on 2 Apr 1825 in Eriswil, Bern, Switzerland; was christened on 10 Apr 1825 in Ursenbach, Bern, Switzerland; died on 14 Mar 1904 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchatel, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mariner and Flösser in Thun.

Notes:

He was 2 1/2 years old when he died.

Other Events:

• Address: Giebelkelle or Giebelchelle
• Address: Reinach, Switzerland
• Address: 6 Nov 1855, Vorder Giebel, near Langnau in Emmental, Bern, Switzerland

Notes:

Purchased Giebelkelle from his father in 1885. It also appears from a chart at a Gerber Reunion he may have lived in "Weg" at Trubschachen prior to moving to Reinach.

Later moved to Reinach - letter from Heinrich Gerber to Paul Gerber on 2 July 1993.

According to Ruedi of Vorder Giebel, Christian didn't make large payments (or increased in payments) as he leased Giebelkelle.

Christian married Anna Fankhauser on 9 Nov 1878 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. Anna (daughter of Niklaus Fankhauser and Elisabeth Neuenschwander) was born on 14 Nov 1851 in Trub, Bern, Switzerland; died on 5 May 1901 in Trub, Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christian married Maria Anna Sommerhalder on 8 Apr 1904 in Trubschachen, Switzerland. Maria (daughter of Johann Rudolf and Maria Anna Burger) was born on 23 Jul 1849 in Burg, AG; died on 2 Nov 1929 in Gontenschwil, AG. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Johannes Jakob on 14 Sep 1876. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Fritz

Notes:

Became owner and farmer at Baereggfeld.

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Giebel-Ueli

Notes:

bought farm from father in 1892.

Owner of Vorder Giebel

Also purchased the properties of Aussergrat and Gratweidli.



From Markus Kaufman on 27 Apr 2013:

On your website, I found an entry of the farm Gratweidli in Escholzmatt. I have myself ancestors who were born in the Gratweidli. For a photobook of our family, we are looking for a photograph of the house Gratweidli. Today this house is not existing anymore and the fields are covered with forest. The current owner is Rosmarie Gerber from Aussergrat. Previously it was owned by a Gerber relative who lives in the US or Canada. He is 85 year old now. If you would have a photograph of this house Gratweidli, who was occupied still in the early 19hundreds..in 1950 there were still some walls but today nothing is left of this house.

Thank you very much for your help finding a photograph of the house Gratweidli in Escholzmatt, LU. It was occupied until 1920 by the Kaufmanns from the Kurüti (Churüti). Johann Kaufmann moved to the Gratweidli and raised his children there, one of them, Anton Kaufmann, was my grandfahter, he died in 1966.

Sincerely Yours
Markus Kaufmann

Ruedi said he felt his father, Ulrich, was too interested in cattle trading, but he admired his grandfather Christian who promoted the reunions of the Neutäufer in the Versammlungshaus, or meeting house. This is known as the Stöckli which was built where the Küherhaus/Hüsli used to be. A "küher" was a high-level farm hand who was responsible for caring for the cattle. Apparently, the existing Stöckli has "NG 1862" inscribed on it, referring to Niklaus Gerber.

Ruedi said he felt his father, Ulrich, was too interested in cattle trading, but he admired his grandfather Christian who promoted the reunions of the Neutäufer in the Versammlungshaus, or meeting house. This is known as the Stöckli which was built where the Küherhaus/Hüsli used to be. A "küher" was a high-level farm hand who was responsible for caring for the cattle. Apparently, the existing Stöckli has "NG 1862" inscribed on it, referring to Niklaus Gerber.

Died:
Died of the "plague" or epidemic.

Ulrich married Rosa Gasser on 3 Sep 1892 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. Rosa (daughter of Ulrich Gasser and Elisabeth Lehmann) was born on 17 Aug 1865 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; died on 26 Jun 1935 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Emma married Herrmann Rueegger after 1893. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rosina married Frederic Chedel in 1874 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchatel, Switzerland. Frederic was born on 9 May 1843 in Provence, Vaud, Switzerland; was christened on 13 Jul 1843 in Provence, Vaud, Switzerland; died on 19 Oct 1923 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchatel, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]