GEARKE, E. F. - 1914

GEARKE, MCDOWELL

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2009 at 17:40:53

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

E. F. GEARKE.

E. F. Gearke operates a farm of four hundred acres in Pitcher township and owns 117 acres of improved land in Diamond township and, although still a young man, has gained a place among the substantial farmers and stockraisers of his locality. He was born in Illinois in 1885 and is a son of H. A. and Minnie Gearke, natives of that state, both of German parentage. They made their home in Illinois until 1886 and then came to Iowa, settling in Cherokee county, where the father purchased land. He operated this until 1907 and then moved to Aurelia, where after spending a short time in the stockbuying business he established himself as a lumber and coal merchant. He has now a large and representative patronage and in addition to his business interests owns a farm of three hundred and sixty acres on sections 31 and 32, Pitcher township. He and his wife became the parents of four children: Victor C., who lives upon a portion of the homestead; E. F., of this review; Sadie, at home; and Edna, who is teaching school.

E. F. Gearke acquired his education in the public schools of Cherokee county and took business courses at Sac City and Storm Lake, Iowa. When he was twentyone years of age he took charge of his fathers homestead and has operated this along modern and practical lines since that time. He is a fancier and breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle and is recognized as one of the foremost men in this line in the township, his stock consuming practically all the products of his farm. He owns one hundred and seventeen acres of improved land in Diamond township and gives constant supervision to the operation of this property also.

In 1906 Mr. Gearke married Miss Margaret McDowell, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of J. P. and Lucinda McDowell, early settlers in Cherokee county. The mother passed away in 1904 and the father makes his home in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Gearke have become the parents of a daughter, Maurine, who was born in 1912. Mr. Gearke is a member of the Baptist church and is a republican in his political beliefs. He is a young man of energy, resource and ability and will undoubtedly be carried forward into still more important relations with agricultural interests of his locality.