Bishop Samuel Gerber b. 8 Sep 1863 Carlock, McLean Co., IL d. 28 Oct 1929 Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL: The Schrock-Birkey Connection

Bishop Samuel Gerber

Male 1863 - 1929  (66 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All

  • Name Samuel Gerber  [1, 2
    Prefix Bishop 
    Birth 8 Sep 1863  Carlock, McLean Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Baptism 1881  Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Pleasant Grove Mennonite Church
    CLER
    Occupation Farmer 
    Ordained 2 May 1897  Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Minister, Pleasant Grove Mennonite Church, by John Smith
    Ordained 21 May 1911  Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Bishop, by John C. Birky
    Religion Amish Mennonite 
    Death 28 Oct 1929  Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Burial Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Pleasant Grove Mennonite Cemetery
    Person ID I5666  Schrock-Birkey Connection
    Last Modified 25 Sep 2022 

    Father Jacob Gerber,   b. 20 Oct 1837, OH Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Jan 1864, Congerville, Woodford Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 26 years) 
    Mother Catharine (Kate) Ropp,   b. 6 Apr 1843, Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 May 1907, Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 64 years) 
    Marriage 27 Oct 1861 
    Family ID F3969  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Magdalena Sears (Zehr),   b. 7 Dec 1866, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 10 Jan 1930, Bloomington, McLean Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 63 years) 
    Marriage 30 Dec 1886  [3
    • By Joseph Burcky
    Children 
     1. Menno Samuel Gerber,   b. 24 May 1900, Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 2 Mar 1988, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 87 years)
    Family ID F3970  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 12 Aug 2018 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 8 Sep 1863 - Carlock, McLean Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBaptism - 1881 - Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOrdained - 2 May 1897 - Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOrdained - 21 May 1911 - Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 28 Oct 1929 - Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume XXII, Number 33 - November 14, 1929, page 687
      Gerber.- Bishop Samuel Gerber, son of Jacob and Catherine (Roop) Gerber was born near Carlock, Ill., Sept. 8, 1863; and passed away at his home near Groveland, Ill., Oct. 28, 1929; aged 66 y. 1 m. 20 d. On Dec. 30, 1886, he was united in marriage with Magdalena Sears of Tiskilwa, Ill. He leaves to mourn his sudden departure his lifelong companion, two sons, and three daughters (Rosa Gerber, Mrs. Martha Wubben, O. J. Gerber, M. S. Gerber, and Mrs. Ruth King); also 8 grandchildren, 4 brothers (one brother preceding him in death), and a host of relatives and friends. His father and mother preceded him in death. When he was but four months old, his father was accidentally killed. Later he and his mother moved to near Tremont, where he grew to manhood. Death came to him very suddenly- but we believe not unexpectedly, as he would often talk to those about him telling them that his time was short here in this life. And he often expressed a desire to go and meet his God. In his early life he accepted Christ as his Savior, uniting with the Pleasant Grove Mennonite Church near Tremont, where on May 2, 1897, he was ordained to the ministry. Fourteen years later, on May 21, 1911, he was ordained bishop. During his 32 years of service as minister and bishop he officiated at 38 marriages, many funeral services, baptized 362 converts, and ordained two bishops and four ministers. His greatest concern was for the welfare of the Church. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Funeral services which were largely attended, were held at the Pleasant Grove Mennonite Church near Tremont, in charge of the brethren, Sanford C. Yoder, of Goshen, Ind., and J. D. Hartzler, of Flanagan, Ill. Texts, Ezek. 24:15-19; Rev. 14:13. Interment in adjoining cemetery.

      “As a boy he moved with his mother to the vicinity of Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL....Two sons and three daughters were born to them. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Amish Mennonite congregation near Tremont, was ordained to the ministry there on May 2, 1897, and ordained bishop May 21, 1911.....He was a farmer throughout his life near Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL.”

      Samuel Gerber married Magdalena Sears from Tiskliwa, Illinois. They had a farm a mile south of Groveland. Samuel joined the Pleasant Grove Amish Mennonite Church as a youth and soon was teaching a Sunday school class. In 1907, he was called to the ministry and in 1911 became a bishop. Friendly and sincere, he became a well-known, respected leader in their conference. Samuel and Magdalena had five children - Rosa, Martha, Otto, Menno and Ruth. Samuel died in 1929 at the age of sixty-six. Magdalena died in 1930 at the age of sixty-one.} [4, 5]

  • Sources 
    1. [S284] Ruth Gerber King, Bishop Samuel Gerber: A Brief Look at the Lives and Times of His Ancestors, Family, and Decendents.

    2. [S539] Harry F. Weber, Centennial History of the Mennonites of Illinois 1829-1929, (The Mennonite Historical Society, Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana).

    3. [S11] Obituaries of Individuals.

    4. [S486] The Mennonite Encyclopedia, (Mennonite Publishing House, Scottsdale, PA), Vol II, p. 479.

    5. [S504] Gail A. Earles, The Andreas and Elizabeth Eiman Ropp Family in America.


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