From his naturalization process Louis Gerber arrived in South Africa 1893. He spent twelve years in Kimberley and Taungs and then 15 months in Southern Rhodesia. At the time of his formal application, on 12 September, he was 39 and he was based at Marupin – near the Kalahari Gemsbok Park. From his naturalization process we also learn that he was born in Neef, Germany. Neef is in Rhineland-Palatinate. From his estate we glean that he had a brother Wilhelm Gerber and two sisters - Rica Gerber (married to Louis Gerber) and Elise Gerlach (married to Joseph Gerlach). The exact year of his birth is not clear. From his death certificate in 1934 it is stated that he was 68, implying he was born in 1866. From his naturalization application in 1906 it would seem that he was 39 and thus born in 1867. In 1919 Louis Gerber created a joint trading business with Isaac Rauff. The Rauff family were from Taung. According to his estate they were trading as Rauff and Gerber, they owned three stores. When he signed his estate in 1924 in Vryburg, he was listed as living in Motiton or Takoon – between Vryburg and Kuruman. Takoon or Dithakong was the site of a key battle in 1878 between colonial led by Warren forces and the Batlhaping people. Isaac Rauff and Louis Gerber bought the local trading store on 1916 from Michael Friedman (who later moved to Stellenbosch) and a Meltzer in 1916.

 

It is not clear to what extent he was involved in the local Jewish community and the earlier records we have of the community pre-date his death. It is also not clear where he was buried. He seems to have chosen not be buried in the Vryburg Jewish community. This implies a tenuous connection to Judaism.