Of the commercial interests of Weiser, James A. Gerwick is a leading representative. He is now engaged in the harness and saddlery business, and enjoys a liberal patronage which comes to him from all sections of Washington county. His conformity to high business principles and honorable methods, combined with energy and enterprise, have gained him a foremost place in mercantile circles, and a well merited success rewards his efforts.
Sir. Gerwick came to the west from far-off Pennsylvania. He is a native of Butler County, that state, and is of German lineage. His parents are Fred and Lovina (Winters) Gerwick natives of Germany, in which land their ancestors had resided for many generations. The father of our subject came to the United States with his parents, the family locating in Pennsylvania. He was married in Pittsburg, and is now a merchant in McKeen County, of the Keystone state. In the family were eleven children, ten of whom are living.
Of these James A. Gerwick is the ninth in order of birth. He was educated in Pennsylvania and during his residence in the east carried on agricultural pursuits. In 1887 he came to Idaho and engaged in raising sheep, in which industry he continued successfully for about thirteen years, when he sold his sheep for thirteen thousand and seven hundred dollars. He had at times owned as high as five thousand head, and was very prosperous in that business. He disposed of his ranch, however, in order to engage in the harness and saddlery business, which he finds a more congenial occupation. He has erected a substantial brick store, which is filled with a large line of every class of goods of the kind, and in the fall of 1898 he added a complete line of boots and shoes. His straightforward dealing, his earnest desire to please his customers and his moderate prices have secured to him a liberal patronage.
In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gerwick and Miss Laura Monroe, and their union has been blessed with two sons and a daughter, Guy Albert, Roy Leslie and Edith Luvena. Their home, erected by Mr. Gerwick, is one of the finest residences in the city, and its air of culture and good cheer renders it a favorite resort with their many friends. Socially Mr. Gerwick is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his political affiliations is a Republican. Coming to the west with the hope of bettering his financial condition, he has never had occasion to regret the step thus taken, for prosperity has attended his efforts and due recognition has been accorded his sterling qualities of character, such as command respect in every land and clime.