My great great great grandpa

(photograph found on AncientFaces.com)

My third great grandfather David E. Gerber was born in July 6, 1834 and died on May 21, 1921. He lived his entire life on the family farm, located in an area a few miles south of Canton, OH that used to be known as Eden Township. Here's a biography that I found of him and his family in the book Old Landmarks of Canton and Stark County, Ohio (1904):

"DAVID E. GERBER was born on his present homestead, in Canton township, on the 6th of July, 1834, being a son of Elias and Maria (Richard) Gerber, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Switzerland, whence she accompanied her parents to America when she was a mere child. Elias Gerber was a son of Christian Gerber, who likewise was a native of the old keystone State, to which locality the original American progenitor emigrated from Germany, in the pre-Revolutionary epoch. As early as 1810 Christian Gerber removed with his family from Pennsylvania to Stark county, Ohio, where he took up a tract of heavily timbered land in Canton township, the same being about five miles from the present city of the same name, and here he reclaimed a farm and gave his attention to its cultivation during the remainder of his active career. He died in this township at the venerable age of eighty-four years. His son Elias, father of the subject, was reared on this pioneer homestead, receiving such educational advantages as were accorded the average farmer youth of the locality and period and contributing to the work of clearing and improving the home place. In this township was solemnized his marriage, and he then assumed the practical responsibilities of life, locating on the farm now owned by our subject and eventually becoming one of the substantial farmers of the county, known as a man of impregnable integrity and as a man of excellent business judgment, while through his well directed efforts he attained a success which was worthy of the name. He was summoned from the scene of his earthly labors in the very prime of his manhood, being but thirty-nine years of age at the time of his death, which occurred in 1847. His wife survived him by many years, being summoned to eternal rest in 1892, when eighty-four years of age. The father was a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife held the faith of the Amish church. They became parents of six children, concerning whom we offer brief record as follows: David E., who is the immediate subject of this review; Margaret, who is the wife of Abraham Gerber, of Indiana; George, who was killed in the army; Adeline, who is the wife of Jonathan Byler; Christian, who lives in Canton, and Solomon, who lives in Pennsylvania.

"David E. Gerber, whose name introduces this article, was reared on his present homestead, whose every field and pasture and wooden glen have thus been familiar to him from the time of his earliest recollection, while in his youth this familiarity was doubly emphasized by the labors which fell to his portion in connection with the work in these same fields and meadows, but he waxed strong in mind and body under the strenuous and invigorating discipline and has never abated by one jot or tittle his allegiance to the noble art of husbandry, and that with a due measure of attendant success. His finely improved farm comprises one hundred and thirty-one acres, and is under most effective cultivation, while the buildings are of the best order, including a commodious and attractive residence, which is a favorite resort for the family's wide circle of friends.

"In politics Mr. Gerber has given his support to the Democratic party from the time of attaining his majority, and he has ever shown a consistent interest in public affairs of a local nature, lending his influence and aid in support of all legitimate undertakings for the promotion of the material progress and general welfare of his home township and county. He and his wife have long been zealous and active members of the German Baptist church, contributing to the advancement of its spiritual and temporal affairs, while they are well known as pioneer citizens and have the highest esteem of all who know them, even ordering their lives on a high plain of rectitude and integrity and being true and sincere in all the relations of intercourse with their fellow men.

"In the city of Canton, on the 14th of October, 1858, Mr. Gerber was united in marriage to Miss Emeline King, who was born in Pennsylvania, whence, as a child, she accompanied her parents on their removal to Stark county, where her father was engaged in farming until his death. She was reared and educated in Canton township and is, like her husband, a representative of one of the county's honored pioneer families. Mr. and Mrs. Gerber became the parents of twelve children, of whom nine lived to attain years of maturity, namely: Clara became the wife of John Shanower and died, in Perry township, when twenty-four years of age; Melissa is the wife of William Shanower, of Massilon; George lives in Massillon; Kate is the wife of Amos Yutze, of Pike township; John lives in Canton; Edward is at home; Nellie is the wife of Charles Miller, of Perry township; Elva is the wife of Homer Riley, of Canton, and Jennie remains at the parental home."

SOURCE: Old Landmarks of Canton and Stark County, Ohio, Volume I, edited and compiled by John Danner (Logansport, IN: R. F. Bowen, 1904), pp. 624-625.

And here are some more photographs I've come across in my research...



The Stark County marriage record of David E. Gerber to Emeline King on October 12, 1858. (Source: Microfilm 5-31MA from Stark County District Library Genealogy Department)



David, Emeline, and their children. Photograph from mid to late 1880s. The little boy in the front row is my great grandfather, David S. Gerber.



David E. Gerber with his mother and siblings. His father Elias died young in 1847 at age 39, whereas his mother Maria lived to be 84 years old, finally passing away in 1893. I'd guess this photograph was taken in the 1880s or early 1890s.



David, Emeline, and family. Photograph from around 1900. My great grandfather David S. Gerber is now the 2nd from the right in the back row.



David, Emeline, and some of their children and grandchildren, outside the Gerber family farmhouse. Photograph from around 1910.



David and Emeline outside the Gerber family farmhouse. Photograph again from around 1910.



Gravestone of David E. and Emeline Gerber in the old Eden Church Cemetery.