Mrs. Henry (Ann) Gerken (1833-1898)

GERKEN, SCOTT, BENBOW, HILLMAN, HILL, JAMES, HACKETT, MCKILLIPS, GOODRICH

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 11/16/2002 at 19:12:53

Mrs. Henry Gerken died at her home on East Charles Street, Oelwein, Thursday morning, July 7, 1898 after a brief illness, having been sick only a few days with penumonia. The remains were taken to the Otsego Cemetery, Friday afternoon, for interment and laid by the side of her first husband.

A large concourse of relatives and neighbors followed the remains to the cemetery. Funeral services were held Saturday forenoon at the M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. J. P. Hawes, pastor of the Baptist Church at Aurora. Deceased was a charter member of the Baptist Church at this place and never gave up her hope in Christ. She was highly esteemed and her death has cast a gloom upon the hearts of a large circle of relatives and friends. The testimony of all who knew her most intimately is that she was a good woman and no woman on the face of the earth can give a better or nobler tribute than that.

Mrs. Gerken was born in Grant County, September 29, 1833 and was the daughter of Evan and Margaret (Scott) Benbow. She became the wife of Phncas R. Hillman in Indiana in 1852, and their union was blessed with nine children, who yet living. Louisa, now Mrs. J. R. Ross, of Oran township, Evan Hillman, who resides in Washington, Mrs. Ed Hill, of Fayette, Mrs. Tom James, of West Union, Mrs. Mack Hackett, of Jefferson township, C. C. Hillman, D. S. Hillman, Mrs. Alex McKillips and Mrs. C. W. Goodrich, residing in Oelwein, all being present at funeral except Evan Hillman. Mr. Hillman came to this county in 1864, locating in Jefferson township where he died of smallpox, January 7, 1879. Mrs. Gerken was of English and Welch decent. She married Henry Gerken on September 26, 1884, who survives her.

Oelwein Register - July 13, 1898