In his ancestral lines are found scientists, doctors, professors, writers, artists, statesmen and businessmen. At a very early date the crown granted exclusive rights to all weaving and manufacturing of textiles in the area of Calw to a few families and their descendants. The Gfroerer family was included in this corporation. In this organization not only was manufacturing carried out, but they owned their own ships by means of which their products were carried to various markets.
Why Christian Gfroerer left Germany with all its promises has never been disclosed. However, in the year 1832, when Frederick G. Froerer was was seven years of age, the family left Germany and immigrated to America where they settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nothing is known of Frederick from that time until the year 1839 when, at the age of 14, he was bound out as an apprentice to learn the plane-making trade in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
While in Lancaster he lived with Joseph Stallings, who was twelve years his senior. Stallings displayed an intense interest in religion. It must have been a time of great religious fervor, for almost every night Stallings went out to hear religious discussions given by ministers of various denominations. He returned home at night and discussed the different philosophies with Frederick Gfroerer. During one of these religious excursions, Stallings happened to hear some Mormon missionaries. Upon returning home, Stallings discussed this new religion with his roommate, whereupon Frederick exclaimed, "This time, Joseph, you have found the truth."
Many years later, while recording his life story, Frederick expressed it thus: "While I was learning my trade in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1843, the gospel was brought there, and I received it will full purpose of heart and was baptized on the 15th of October 1843, by W.G.Strrewt."
Although only eighteen years of age, he expressed his desire to gather with the Saints. But his ambition was not realized at this particular time as the law decreed that he must serve out his apprenticeship, which did not expire until he became of age.
It is interesting to note that he was baptized on the same day as David Sabin and part of the Sabin family, including the daughter, Elizabeth (whom he later married). Although acquainted with the family, he would have found it almost impossible to believe that eight years later, in what was then the virgin wilderness of the Great Salt Lake Valley, the little ten-year-old Elizabeth, who entered the waters of baptism the same day, would at the age of 18 become his wife.
Quoting from his own life story, he wrote: "In the year of 1847 I left Lancaster to gather with the Church. When I arrived in Keosaugua, Iowa, where Brother Stallings was stopping, I intended to travel with him, but I found that he was unable to go onward. So in September I left there and went to St. Louis to work at my trade."
It is interesting that the David Sabin family was residing in St. Louis at the same time. Quoting once more from Frederick's own words: "While I was in St. Louis in October, 1847, the news came that the Church had located at Great Salt Lake. I was working there at my trade making good wages when February 1848, Heber C. Kimball sent an agent down to St. Louis to solicit donations so I concluded to help him. So I gave him $75, which was nearly all I had, to assist him to move his families from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake."
Descendants of Frederick G. Froerer still have in their possession the receipt for that money. In a fine Spencerian hand is written the following:
A.D. 1848
Sant Louis - Febry 5th
Received of Frederick Froere Seventy-five Dollars as a donation to the help of Brother H.C. Kimball to move to the valley of the Great Salt Lake.
Daniel D. Kimball
Agent for H.C. Kimball
On July 19, 1851, he married Elizabeth Sabin. They were married in the home of Heber C. Kimball, by Heber C. Kimball himself. We can only imagine what this wedding was like. While Frederick stood six feet four inches in his stocking feet, Elizabeth barely reached five feet two inches. It was said that he would extend his arm at a right angle and she could stand under it.
When the endowment house was finished, they received their endowments. Although the practice of polygamy was commonly accepted, this was to be Frederick's only married. At a later date, he suggested taking another wife, but inasmuch as Elizabeth refused her sanction, he gave up the idea.
