Read local news from the 1920s to the 1940s and you are likely to find mention of Bridgewater College’s 1899 alumnus Jacob A. Garber. An educator, banker, farmer and civic leader in his native Rockingham County, Garber also served one term each in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Virginia House of Delegates. He was remembered by historian and fellow BC Class of 1899 alum Dr. John W. Wayland as a public-spirited citizen with an interest in art and literature.
“It is doubtful whether any man in the city or county has given more of his time and energy, freely, to such [civic, educational and philanthropic] enterprises,” Wayland wrote.
Garber’s papers, photographs and books reflecting his civic and political engagements are newly accessible in the Robert R. Newlen ’75 & John C. Bradford Special Collections at Bridgewater College.
Among Garber’s papers are letters, notes and records that provide glimpses of Rockingham County in the early 20th century. Themes of interest include Virginia politics, the Great Depression, regional Sunday School, community organizations and local banking. Researchers will also find information on 20th century orchards, regional rural postal service, education, rural healthcare and local estates. A proud supporter of Bridgewater College, Garber also left early alumni directories.
Garber was born in 1879 and grew up in Rockingham County, Va. After graduating from BC and Emerson College in Boston, he took a job as cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Timberville in 1908, the year the bank—now known as F&M Bank—was founded. He later served as bank director and, eventually, vice president. He also operated commercial apple orchards and later worked for the Internal Revenue Service in Richmond. He died in 1953.
During his political and civic career, Garber corresponded with other regional and state historical figures. Copies of Garber’s speeches, and multiple letters, receipts and invoices on regional agriculture, banking and education from the 1920s to the 1940s are found in his papers. Garber was also involved in administering the financing of rural health care. A series of 1919 pledge cards for the Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Inc. Building Fund are among the papers.
Winston Weaver Jr. of Harrisonburg gave the papers to Bridgewater College Special Collections on behalf of the Weaver family.
In 2024, intern Alex Thompson and I set out to better organize and preserve Garber’s papers. We also created a finding aid, a tool that tells researchers details about archival collections. We spent months cleaning, arranging and reviewing Garber’s materials. Many of the papers needed rehousing in acid free materials. Letters had to be softly brushed to remove the dirt and dust that had gathered over time. We then created a system of organization that best reflected Garber’s work.
During our processing of the collection, we discovered that the records included some materials that required special attention. While a congressman, Garber helped regional veterans receive disability benefits. Included in his papers are case files that include medical information on these veterans, many who served in World War I. I consulted with outside experts, including the Library of Virginia, to develop a way to protect the medical information while making the materials available to researchers.
The Jacob A. Garber papers are available to view in the Robert R. Newlen ’75 & John C. Bradford Special Collections by appointment. A finding aid to the collection, including a more extensive biography, is available online. Call 540-828-8018 or contact Special Collections at sgardner@bridgewater.edu for more information.
– Stephanie Gardner
Special Collections Librarian
11/13/25
