Colonial Pennsylvnia was a favored destination for many pioneers seeking a better life. German immigrants
were especially attracted to the rich farmland and the promise of freedom. Two brothers, Peter and
Johannes Gehr, arrived here separately around the time Lancaster County was being organized. They were the grandsons of Felden Valentin Gehr, of Seckenehim, Germany. Both made this rich farmland their home, living within four miles of each other. However, their lives took very different paths. Peter joined the religious community established by Conrad Beissel. This was commonly known as the Ephrata Cloister, but Peter found himself to be in conflict with Beissel from time to time. He never had any children. Johannes, on the other hand, arrived with a family already established. His descendants continued to thrive in the area. A few encountered problems in their personal life, but for the most part, the Gehr family enjoyed a rather quiet, productive life. They covered a wide range of occupations: carpenters, blacksmiths, wagon makers, constables, law enforcement officers, building contractors, farmers, and much more.
The Gehr Family of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is first a genealogy, and second, a story spanning over ten generations and two continents. In many ways, the American Dream has taken root in the descendants of Felden Valentin Gehr of Seckenheim, Germany.