Other Events:

• Birth: 20 Nov 1735, Vorder Giebel, near Langnau in Emmental, Bern, Switzerland
• Address: 1754, Ober Lohngrat
• Address: 1782, Hinter Baeregg / Bäregg

Notes:

Owner of Vorder Giebel

Niklaus was a person who looks after the cows and makes cheese. He was farmer at Giebel and owner of the farm Lohngrat. Purchased a farm called "Hinter Bäregg" from his uncle, Christian in 1782.

From the first marriage with his wife (maiden name "Kipfer"), there were two sons: Michael and Christian. It has been noted that when the mother died, a relative, Niklaus Gerber of Ober Hapbach, was designated as an overseer of her estate until the children became of age or when the father died. However, this makes little sense because Niklaus, the eventual owner of Hapbach, would have been a very young child when the mother died. It is possible that Niklaus of Ober Hapbach was made the executor of her Muttersgut (inheritance to the children from her dowery) only when her husband Niklaus died later. By that time, Niklaus would have been old enough to be an executor and would have owned Ober Hapbach.

From the second marriage in approximately 1770-1771, there was one son, Niklaus, and three daughters, Barbara, Elizabeth, and Magdalena.

In 1754 he was banned from his land by the State church as many Anabaptists (Mennonites) were. Later, he lived in Baeregg when in 1784 he sold/transferred Giebel to both of his sons, Michael and Christian. After their mother, Magdalena Kipfer died, Christian paid Michael for his portion of Giebel and became the single owner of Giebel.

In the 1791 Mutterguts-Abrechnung, a document that divides the inheritance from the mother, the two sons from Niklaus' first marriage received 2/3 ownership of Giebel. The remaining third was retained by Niklaus and appears later in his division of assets. His will was dated March 1, 1801. There is some conflicting information here as it was also reported that he sold Giebel to his sons earlier in 1784. This Muttersgut-Abrechnung may simply be outlining a transaction that had previously occurred. This seems logical considering Ruedi Gerber's understanding.

Niklaus purchased another farm in 1783 called "Unter Hapbach" for his son, Niklaus, of his second marriage. The book "Zähjs Holz" says that Unter Hapbach was purchased by a brother of Giebel-Glais. Giebel-Glais was the son of Johannes Gerber, Niklaus' brother. The book may be slightly off, or it is possible that one of Johannes' sons purchased it later, possibly Michael (which would lend credibility to the idea that he could be the famed Deacon Michael Gerber of Hapbach).

Niklaus' will is dated March 1801.

The estate transferred in 1774 consisted of: 1 house, 1 cow barn, 1 bee apiary, 1 speicher, 1 hog/sheep barn, 1 hog barn, one house on the Kellen (presumably, Giebelkelle). Held back was some land or right to use land for 7 cows in the summer and 19 cows in the winter, and some forest. Mittler Giebel was owned by Hans Gerber (son of Michael Gerber and brother to Niklaus?), and Giebelmoos was owned by the Grimm family. Ruedi Gerber indicated that Niklaus purchased Hinter Baeregg from his brother Christian in 1782, not 1783. Brothers Christian and Michael separated ownership of Giebel completely in 1791. Niklaus died in 1807.

It was this Niklaus Gerber who sold the portion of Lohngratalp but held back a portion of the forest (Schwandgraben) because there was not a lot of timber at Giebel.

Birth:
There are some that claim Niklaus' christening was on 3 Jul 1735. There is no record of it in the States Archive of Canton Bern (page 90). The information that Niklaus was the son of Matthys Gerber is incorrect. It came from Julius Billeter who made many errors. Family records confirm that Niklaus was the son of Michael Gerber, owner of Giebel, and whose inscription remains there.

Niklaus married Magdalena Kipfer on 2 May 1760. Magdalena (daughter of Michel Kuepfer and Magdalena Wuethrich) was christened on 18 Mar 1736 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; died on 29 Nov 1765 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland; was buried on 1 Dec 1765 in Langnau (im Emmental), Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Baumgartner. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]

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]

Family/Spouse: Christian Blaser. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Christian Schwarz. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Ulrich Roethlisberger. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived in a farm called "Unterer Hapbach", purchased by his father in 1793.

Barbara married Peter Walti on 2 May 1820. Peter was born in in Ruderswil, Bern, Switzerland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Daniel Steiner on 18 Mar 1815 in Signau, Canton Berne, Switzerland. [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]

Other Events:

• Address: Hinter Baeregg / Bäregg

Christian married Maria Aeschlimann on 7 Jul 1827. Maria (daughter of Johannes Aeschliman and Barbara Gerber) was born in 1806; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Address: Was from Hinter Baeregg according to death record in Totelrodel as well as "Heimatrodel der Taeuferfamilien von Langnau"

Ulrich married Elizabeth Ramseier on 21 Oct 1824 in Court, Bern, Switzerland. Elizabeth was christened on 18 Oct 1801 in Eggiwil, Bern. [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]

Family/Spouse: Magdalena Wuthrich. Magdalena was born on 20 Mar 1828. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Bernard Jakob on 13 May 1846. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Magdalena married Friedrich Lehman on 11 Jun 1847. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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 Maria Anna Fluckinger on 14 Apr 1860. Maria was christened on 18 Feb 1838; died on 23 Nov 1918 in Huttwill. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christian married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

It appears that he was baptized in the Reform church on 26 May 1857.

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.