Louis Gerber arrived in South Africa in 1893 during his naturalization process. He spent twelve years in Kimberley and Taungs, followed by 15 months in Southern Rhodesia. When he submitted his formal application on September 12, he was 39 years old and was living in Marupin, near Kalahari Gemsbok Park.

 

His naturalization records indicate that he was born in Neef, Germany. Neef is in Rhineland-Palatinate. From his estate, we learn that he had a brother named Wilhelm Gerber and two sisters—Rica Gerber (who was married to Louis Gerber) and Elise Gerlach (married to Joseph Gerlach). The exact year of his birth is unclear. His death certificate in 1934 states he was 68, which suggests he was born in 1866. However, his naturalization application in 1906 indicates he was 39, implying a birth year of 1867. In 1919, Louis Gerber started a joint trading business with Isaac Rauff.

 

The Rauff family was from Taung. According to his estate, they were operating as Rauff and Gerber, and 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 forces led by Warren and the Batlhaping people. Isaac Rauff and Louis Gerber bought the local trading store in 1916 from Michael Friedman (who later moved to Stellenbosch) and a Meltzer (presumably Solomon) in 1916.

 

It is unclear how involved he was in the local Jewish community, and the earlier records we have of the community predate his death. It also remains unknown where he was buried. He appears to have opted not to be buried in the Vryburg Jewish community, which suggests a weak connection to Judaism.