Henry Gerken 1826-1902

GERKEN, GERKIN, SIDLER, HILLMAN, WATKINS, FAUST, HALL, HUNTER

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 5/2/2008 at 13:05:02

Henry Gerkin, one of the pioneers of
this county, died at his residence in
this city Thursday morning, January
30th, at 2 o'clock, after an illness of
about two weeks. The funeral occurred
from the Baptist church Saturday,
February 1st, at 12 o'clock, conducted
by Rev. Gidney of that church.
The remains were taken to the Oran
cemetery for interment.
Henry Gerkin was born in Hanover.
Germany, December 28. 1826, and was
therefore seventy-five years, one month
and two days old at the time of his
death. He came to this country when
twenty years of age, and landed in
New Orleans where he remained for
some months. He next proceeded to
Missouri. Subsequently he worked in
La Salle oounty, Illinois. In 1854 be
was united in marriage with Mrs.
Nancy Sidler, and the following year
came to this county and located on the
homestead in Section 11, Oran township,
where he continued to reside till
about ten years ago when he moved to
this city and has since resided on East
Charles street.
Mr. Gerkins and his first wife were
the parents of six children, of whom
Four are now living. They are John
Wesley, Benjamin P., Nelson A., and Mary
Agnes, wife of H. P. Faust. Two
daughters, Ellen the wife of C. N. Hall,
and Liva, the wife of A. L. Hunter
who died some years ago. For his second
wife he married Mrs. Ann Hillman
and some years after her death, he
was united in marriage to Mrs. Rachel
Watkins who survives him.
Mr. Gerkin was a member of the
Baptist church in this city, and was a
consistent Christian. He was a kindly
man, and numbered his friends by the
score. Coming to this county in the
early days he endured the hardships of
pioneer life, and acquired a competency.
Beside farm property he owned ten
houses in the city, and looked after his
business with the vigor and interest of
a man of fifty years. He was an honest
man, of irreproachable character, and
has gone to his reward.

Oelwein Register - 5 Feb 1902