This history of the Garber family was ascertained from investigation and Bible records in Augusta County, Va. The Garber family in America is very numerous and may have sprung from one head but I have never been able to secure records identifying the Levi Garber line with any Garber who may have come to America earlier.

"The great majority of the Germans in Augusta County drifted down from York and Lancaster Counties, Pa., and occupied the lands in the Lower Shenandoah Valley in Virginia."--Hanna O. V. G., P. 38.

The family is either German or German Swiss, but probably Swiss. "The Germans had found that there was a land of peace on the other side of the Atlantic; and they knew by sad experience that their own country was a land of war."--Hannah, O. V. G., P. 38. All the early Garbers were preachers and teachers in Tunker or German Baptist Churches, and the history of the Middle River Congregation in Augusta County, Va., is but the silent monument to the Levi Garber family, who furnished its preachers, teachers and many of its members down to the present time (1900).

The early Garbers were farmers during the week and preachers on Sunday. Almost every descendant of Levi Garber has been more or less endowed with the gift of oratory, and invariably they have been interested in the religious and political issues of their day and generation.

Wherever found they were engaged in some line of community work that reached out for public uplift. As a family they had sacred regard for honor in their dealings with their fellow men, always holding business honor above business gain. One of the characteristics of the family is its regard for individuality in business life. Many members of this family have held civil and political offices and they have exerted a marked influence on the development of the States of Virginia, Iowa, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Peyton's History of Augusta Co., Va., published 1882. Page 89 says: "The Tunkers organized the Middle River Church in 1790, under the leadership of Bishop Miller. In 1800 it was found necessary to district the county and a Bishop or Elder, was appointed for each district. Levi Garber was appointed Bishop of Middle River church."