Johann Gerberich

John Gerberich was born on the old homestead of the Latschaas in East Hanover, toward the end of the year 1784, shortly after his parents had come up from Cumberland County. Like his father, he was born on a farm and raised up for the farming profession. He was the eldest son and consequently, put to work at an early day. Francis Gerberich records a tradition that as a boy, he had to go barefooted in winter and cut cordwood in order to procure enough money to buy a pair of shoes for himself; this was presumably before his father had cleared the farm of debt and became undisputed owner of his land. His education was very meager. His family lived on a farm of 156 acres in East Hanover Township, belonging to his father. This farm was sold in the year 1844, in accordance with the provisions of his father's will, and with his share of the estate, John bought a farm of his own about two miles west of Hummelstown, PA, not far from the Downingtown and Ephrata turnpike in Upper Swatara Township, Dauphin County, PA, close to the Swatara Creek and the Old Union Canal. Here he lived till his death in January, 1868. [History of the Gerberich Family in America]