Barbara L. Gingerich Rivas

The Gingerich - Gingrich Families Volume Three: Westward from Pennsylvania to Missouri Barbara L. Gingerich Rivas

After the Civil War, many families from Pennsylvania went West, many going to Missouri. The railroads had expanded greatly and made the task of moving somewhat easier. Jacob Ellwood Gingrich told of how his grandfather, Lewis K. Gingerich, came by railroad to Missouri in 1879. He was so pleased with the land he saw that he bought 500 acres, then returned to Pennsylvania to bring the family back with him. Several of his children remained in Pennsylvania but the others made the move with him to Callaway County, Missouri. They were active members of the society, building churches, farming, and raising their children. Some of the children moved further West to the Pacific Northwest. The lure of new land was almost irresistible. Old farms gave out, or there were too many children for the farm to be divided equally. Often the land had to be sold and the proceeds divided among the heirs. This all worked to keep the families expanding westward. There are over 100 families mentioned in this book. There are five major families with more than 10-15 entries: Beaven, Curtis, Gingerich/Gingrich, Wallace and Weaver.