Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930
DANIEL GERBER
Daniel Gerber was born near York, Pa., September 4, 1820, died 1891. His early boyhood was spent on his father's farm, when about 16 years old he drove a four horse team from York to Baltimore. As there were few bridges they had to ford the rivers, the wagon boxes were made waterproof to protect the load from damage.
When the cholera epidemic struck the city of Baltimore he quit the teaming and went to Canada, worked for some time getting out ship timbers. Desiring to have a trade, he signed apprenticeship papers to learn the tanner's trade after serving his time he married and moved to Valparaiso, Ind., settled on a farm about 8 miles from the city.
Wishing to make use of his trade he sold the farm and moved to this city. He built a small tannery, rented a store, in the city where he employed five shoemakers and seven harness makers to manufacture up the leather tanned.
About 1863 hearing of the wonderful tracts of hemlock in Michigan and the nearest Railroad Station being Kalamazoo, he went to Chicago and found a sailing vessel going to Saugatuck, he secured passage and landed near what was known as Singapore, near the mouth of the Kalamazoo river. The boat made fast on the south side of the river where he engaged an Indian to show him the way to what was then called Dutcherville. The trail led them along the south side of the river, over the sand hills to the village.
He found lodging the first night, _and for several days with Michael Spencer who took him about and showed him large tracts of hemlock and other valuable timber lands. Mr. Spencer also helped him to get a site for a tannery, bought the home from Nelson G. Wade.
He then returned to Valparaiso, sold his property, shipped the household goods to Chicago and from there by vessel to what is now known as Douglas. Built the tannery to tan shoe and harness leather, this one burned about three years later with only a small amount of insurance, disheartened he built another to tan sole leather; this was run for a number of years until the bark was getting rather scarce about the country, and he had to ship by R. R. to New Richmond and re-load on scows and bring to Douglas.
He also, bought the Saw and Shingle mill from H. B. Moore and the Grist Mill from John Payne both of which he operated for some time. He also built a large Soleleather Tannery at Fremont which was operated by his sons.
He was always interested in all civic improvements, was the factor in building the first church in Douglas and gave largely of his means to complete it. It was known as a Community church, afterwards as the Methodist church, it is now used as a Lodge by the I.O.O.F.
He then gave largely and was instrumental in building the present Congregational church and as his last work built the two brick stores on the north side of Main St.
He was for years a member of the School Board, Congregational church and Dutcher Lodge F.&A.M.
=================================================
see rootsweb;
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jktking&id=I1358
# Daniel GERBER
# Birth: 4 SEP 1820 in Davidsburg, Dover Twp, York Cnty PA
# Christening: 19 NOV 1820 Strayer's Salem Ref. Cong., Dover, York Cnty, PA
# Death: 9 OCT 1890 in Douglas MI
# Burial: 12 OCT 1890 Douglas MI
Father: Christoph GERBER b: 4 JUL 1780 in Zunzgen, Switzerland
Mother: Elizabeth SPECK b: 22 APR 1793
Marriage 1 Mary FRETZ
* Married: ABT 1844 in (?) Beaversville, Canada
Children
1. Has No Children Joseph S. GERBER b: 12 JAN 1845 in Hildiman County, Ontario, Canada
2. Has No Children Elizabeth GERBER b: 1848
3. Has No Children John GERBER b: 1850
4. Has No Children Henry GERBER b: 1852
5. Has No Children William GERBER b: 1854 in Hildiman County, Ontario, Canada
6. Has No Children Sarah GERBER b: 21 FEB 1854
Marriage 2 Rebecca COMFORT
* Married: 20 FEB 1855
Children
1. Has No Children J. Andrew GERBER b: 6 AUG 1856 in Valpariso IN
2. Has No Children Leah Ellen GERBER b: 24 OCT 1858 in Valpariso IN
3. Has No Children Cornelius GERBER b: 25 APR 1860 in Valpariso IN
4. Has No Children D. Milton GERBER b: 15 MAR 1862 in Valpariso IN
5. Has No Children Ida Belle GERBER b: 10 MAY 1864
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930
DANIEL GERBER
Daniel Gerber was born near York, Pa., September 4, 1820, died 1891. His early boyhood was spent on his father's farm, when about 16 years old he drove a four horse team from York to Baltimore. As there were few bridges they had to ford the rivers, the wagon boxes were made waterproof to protect the load from damage.
When the cholera epidemic struck the city of Baltimore he quit the teaming and went to Canada, worked for some time getting out ship timbers. Desiring to have a trade, he signed apprenticeship papers to learn the tanner's trade after serving his time he married and moved to Valparaiso, Ind., settled on a farm about 8 miles from the city.
Wishing to make use of his trade he sold the farm and moved to this city. He built a small tannery, rented a store, in the city where he employed five shoemakers and seven harness makers to manufacture up the leather tanned.
About 1863 hearing of the wonderful tracts of hemlock in Michigan and the nearest Railroad Station being Kalamazoo, he went to Chicago and found a sailing vessel going to Saugatuck, he secured passage and landed near what was known as Singapore, near the mouth of the Kalamazoo river. The boat made fast on the south side of the river where he engaged an Indian to show him the way to what was then called Dutcherville. The trail led them along the south side of the river, over the sand hills to the village.
He found lodging the first night, _and for several days with Michael Spencer who took him about and showed him large tracts of hemlock and other valuable timber lands. Mr. Spencer also helped him to get a site for a tannery, bought the home from Nelson G. Wade.
He then returned to Valparaiso, sold his property, shipped the household goods to Chicago and from there by vessel to what is now known as Douglas. Built the tannery to tan shoe and harness leather, this one burned about three years later with only a small amount of insurance, disheartened he built another to tan sole leather; this was run for a number of years until the bark was getting rather scarce about the country, and he had to ship by R. R. to New Richmond and re-load on scows and bring to Douglas.
He also, bought the Saw and Shingle mill from H. B. Moore and the Grist Mill from John Payne both of which he operated for some time. He also built a large Soleleather Tannery at Fremont which was operated by his sons.
He was always interested in all civic improvements, was the factor in building the first church in Douglas and gave largely of his means to complete it. It was known as a Community church, afterwards as the Methodist church, it is now used as a Lodge by the I.O.O.F.
He then gave largely and was instrumental in building the present Congregational church and as his last work built the two brick stores on the north side of Main St.
He was for years a member of the School Board, Congregational church and Dutcher Lodge F.&A.M.
=================================================
see rootsweb;
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jktking&id=I1358
# Daniel GERBER
# Birth: 4 SEP 1820 in Davidsburg, Dover Twp, York Cnty PA
# Christening: 19 NOV 1820 Strayer's Salem Ref. Cong., Dover, York Cnty, PA
# Death: 9 OCT 1890 in Douglas MI
# Burial: 12 OCT 1890 Douglas MI
Father: Christoph GERBER b: 4 JUL 1780 in Zunzgen, Switzerland
Mother: Elizabeth SPECK b: 22 APR 1793
Marriage 1 Mary FRETZ
* Married: ABT 1844 in (?) Beaversville, Canada
Children
1. Has No Children Joseph S. GERBER b: 12 JAN 1845 in Hildiman County, Ontario, Canada
2. Has No Children Elizabeth GERBER b: 1848
3. Has No Children John GERBER b: 1850
4. Has No Children Henry GERBER b: 1852
5. Has No Children William GERBER b: 1854 in Hildiman County, Ontario, Canada
6. Has No Children Sarah GERBER b: 21 FEB 1854
Marriage 2 Rebecca COMFORT
* Married: 20 FEB 1855
Children
1. Has No Children J. Andrew GERBER b: 6 AUG 1856 in Valpariso IN
2. Has No Children Leah Ellen GERBER b: 24 OCT 1858 in Valpariso IN
3. Has No Children Cornelius GERBER b: 25 APR 1860 in Valpariso IN
4. Has No Children D. Milton GERBER b: 15 MAR 1862 in Valpariso IN
5. Has No Children Ida Belle GERBER b: 10 MAY 1864
Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930
DANIEL GERBER
Daniel Gerber was born near York, Pa., September 4, 1820, died 1891. His early boyhood was spent on his father's farm, when about 16 years old he drove a four horse team from York to Baltimore. As there were few bridges they had to ford the rivers, the wagon boxes were made waterproof to protect the load from damage.
When the cholera epidemic struck the city of Baltimore he quit the teaming and went to Canada, worked for some time getting out ship timbers. Desiring to have a trade, he signed apprenticeship papers to learn the tanner's trade after serving his time he married and moved to Valparaiso, Ind., settled on a farm about 8 miles from the city.
Wishing to make use of his trade he sold the farm and moved to this city. He built a small tannery, rented a store, in the city where he employed five shoemakers and seven harness makers to manufacture up the leather tanned.
About 1863 hearing of the wonderful tracts of hemlock in Michigan and the nearest Railroad Station being Kalamazoo, he went to Chicago and found a sailing vessel going to Saugatuck, he secured passage and landed near what was known as Singapore, near the mouth of the Kalamazoo river. The boat made fast on the south side of the river where he engaged an Indian to show him the way to what was then called Dutcherville. The trail led them along the south side of the river, over the sand hills to the village.
He found lodging the first night, _and for several days with Michael Spencer who took him about and showed him large tracts of hemlock and other valuable timber lands. Mr. Spencer also helped him to get a site for a tannery, bought the home from Nelson G. Wade.
He then returned to Valparaiso, sold his property, shipped the household goods to Chicago and from there by vessel to what is now known as Douglas. Built the tannery to tan shoe and harness leather, this one burned about three years later with only a small amount of insurance, disheartened he built another to tan sole leather; this was run for a number of years until the bark was getting rather scarce about the country, and he had to ship by R. R. to New Richmond and re-load on scows and bring to Douglas.
He also, bought the Saw and Shingle mill from H. B. Moore and the Grist Mill from John Payne both of which he operated for some time. He also built a large Soleleather Tannery at Fremont which was operated by his sons.
He was always interested in all civic improvements, was the factor in building the first church in Douglas and gave largely of his means to complete it. It was known as a Community church, afterwards as the Methodist church, it is now used as a Lodge by the I.O.O.F.
He then gave largely and was instrumental in building the present Congregational church and as his last work built the two brick stores on the north side of Main St.
He was for years a member of the School Board, Congregational church and Dutcher Lodge F.&A.M.
=================================================
see rootsweb;
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jktking&id=I1358
# Daniel GERBER
# Birth: 4 SEP 1820 in Davidsburg, Dover Twp, York Cnty PA
# Christening: 19 NOV 1820 Strayer's Salem Ref. Cong., Dover, York Cnty, PA
# Death: 9 OCT 1890 in Douglas MI
# Burial: 12 OCT 1890 Douglas MI
Father: Christoph GERBER b: 4 JUL 1780 in Zunzgen, Switzerland
Mother: Elizabeth SPECK b: 22 APR 1793
Marriage 1 Mary FRETZ
* Married: ABT 1844 in (?) Beaversville, Canada
Children
1. Has No Children Joseph S. GERBER b: 12 JAN 1845 in Hildiman County, Ontario, Canada
2. Has No Children Elizabeth GERBER b: 1848
3. Has No Children John GERBER b: 1850
4. Has No Children Henry GERBER b: 1852
5. Has No Children William GERBER b: 1854 in Hildiman County, Ontario, Canada
6. Has No Children Sarah GERBER b: 21 FEB 1854
Marriage 2 Rebecca COMFORT
* Married: 20 FEB 1855
Children
1. Has No Children J. Andrew GERBER b: 6 AUG 1856 in Valpariso IN
2. Has No Children Leah Ellen GERBER b: 24 OCT 1858 in Valpariso IN
3. Has No Children Cornelius GERBER b: 25 APR 1860 in Valpariso IN
4. Has No Children D. Milton GERBER b: 15 MAR 1862 in Valpariso IN
5. Has No Children Ida Belle GERBER b: 10 MAY 1864
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930
DANIEL GERBER
Daniel Gerber was born near York, Pa., September 4, 1820, died 1891. His early boyhood was spent on his father's farm, when about 16 years old he drove a four horse team from York to Baltimore. As there were few bridges they had to ford the rivers, the wagon boxes were made waterproof to protect the load from damage.
When the cholera epidemic struck the city of Baltimore he quit the teaming and went to Canada, worked for some time getting out ship timbers. Desiring to have a trade, he signed apprenticeship papers to learn the tanner's trade after serving his time he married and moved to Valparaiso, Ind., settled on a farm about 8 miles from the city.
Wishing to make use of his trade he sold the farm and moved to this city. He built a small tannery, rented a store, in the city where he employed five shoemakers and seven harness makers to manufacture up the leather tanned.
About 1863 hearing of the wonderful tracts of hemlock in Michigan and the nearest Railroad Station being Kalamazoo, he went to Chicago and found a sailing vessel going to Saugatuck, he secured passage and landed near what was known as Singapore, near the mouth of the Kalamazoo river. The boat made fast on the south side of the river where he engaged an Indian to show him the way to what was then called Dutcherville. The trail led them along the south side of the river, over the sand hills to the village.
He found lodging the first night, _and for several days with Michael Spencer who took him about and showed him large tracts of hemlock and other valuable timber lands. Mr. Spencer also helped him to get a site for a tannery, bought the home from Nelson G. Wade.
He then returned to Valparaiso, sold his property, shipped the household goods to Chicago and from there by vessel to what is now known as Douglas. Built the tannery to tan shoe and harness leather, this one burned about three years later with only a small amount of insurance, disheartened he built another to tan sole leather; this was run for a number of years until the bark was getting rather scarce about the country, and he had to ship by R. R. to New Richmond and re-load on scows and bring to Douglas.
He also, bought the Saw and Shingle mill from H. B. Moore and the Grist Mill from John Payne both of which he operated for some time. He also built a large Soleleather Tannery at Fremont which was operated by his sons.
He was always interested in all civic improvements, was the factor in building the first church in Douglas and gave largely of his means to complete it. It was known as a Community church, afterwards as the Methodist church, it is now used as a Lodge by the I.O.O.F.
He then gave largely and was instrumental in building the present Congregational church and as his last work built the two brick stores on the north side of Main St.
He was for years a member of the School Board, Congregational church and Dutcher Lodge F.&A.M.
=================================================
see rootsweb;
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jktking&id=I1358
# Daniel GERBER
# Birth: 4 SEP 1820 in Davidsburg, Dover Twp, York Cnty PA
# Christening: 19 NOV 1820 Strayer's Salem Ref. Cong., Dover, York Cnty, PA
# Death: 9 OCT 1890 in Douglas MI
# Burial: 12 OCT 1890 Douglas MI
Father: Christoph GERBER b: 4 JUL 1780 in Zunzgen, Switzerland
Mother: Elizabeth SPECK b: 22 APR 1793
Marriage 1 Mary FRETZ
* Married: ABT 1844 in (?) Beaversville, Canada
Children
1. Has No Children Joseph S. GERBER b: 12 JAN 1845 in Hildiman County, Ontario, Canada
2. Has No Children Elizabeth GERBER b: 1848
3. Has No Children John GERBER b: 1850
4. Has No Children Henry GERBER b: 1852
5. Has No Children William GERBER b: 1854 in Hildiman County, Ontario, Canada
6. Has No Children Sarah GERBER b: 21 FEB 1854
Marriage 2 Rebecca COMFORT
* Married: 20 FEB 1855
Children
1. Has No Children J. Andrew GERBER b: 6 AUG 1856 in Valpariso IN
2. Has No Children Leah Ellen GERBER b: 24 OCT 1858 in Valpariso IN
3. Has No Children Cornelius GERBER b: 25 APR 1860 in Valpariso IN
4. Has No Children D. Milton GERBER b: 15 MAR 1862 in Valpariso IN
5. Has No Children Ida Belle GERBER b: 10 MAY 1864
Gravesite Details
age 70, of PNEUMONIA died at DOUGLAS- See record of wife Rebecca for Biographical sketch and photo of Daniel
Family Members
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