Gehlen, Theodore 1846-1904

GEHLEN, LIST, TIMMESCH, SCHANTZ

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/14/2022 at 10:44:51

Gehlen, Theodore 1847-1904 and Appolonia List Family

This BIOS for the Theo Gehlen family was taken from several sources and complied by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

From the St. Mary’s church book family history section -
Theodore Gehlen Family – Theodore Gehlen was born in 1847 in Luxembourg, Europe. He came to this country as a young man, and was one of the wagon trains that made the trip from Jackson County Iowa in 1870. He settled on a farm east of Alton. In 1871 he married Appolonia List, the daughter of Adam and Appolonia List.
Thier children are Mary (Mrs. John Eulberg), Magdalena (Mrs. Math Minten), Nick, Charles, John, Frank, Appolonia (Mrs. George bell), Bernhart, Theodore, and two boys who died as children.
The family later moved to Marion county Oregon, where they engaged in farming and also operated a General Store, Mr. and Mrs. Gehlen are buried at Sublimity, Oregon. (About 1900 the family moved to Oregon)

From a family report on ancestry.com (submitted by other family members)
Theordore Gehlen was born 22 Sep 1846 Olm, Capellen, Luzembourg died 22 Mar 1904 at Portland Oregon. He was the son of Pierre Henri Gehlen 1819-1848 and Marie Catherine Katarina Thimmesch 1822-1905. His wife was Appolonia Litz born 18 Jun 1851 Alsace, Lorriane France or Germany died 24 Jul 1915 Stayton, Marion, Oregon. Parents for Apolonia List in the 1860 census were Adam List born France, age 50 and wife Apalonia 50 or 56, daughter Hapalonia was 7 yrs. Discovery led to ‘Find A Grave’ listed Adam List born 15 Dec 1810 died 24 Dec 1883 Menominee IL, wife Appolonia Schantz, also listed was daughter Appolonia Gehlen.

Their Children listed in this report were:
1 . Mary Catherine Gehlen 1872-1944. She married John Charles Eulberg 1871-1952. Eleven children were listed.
2 . Magdalena Helen Susan Gehlen 1873-1944. She married Matthias Minten 1869-1938. Nine children were listed.
3 . Nicolas Gehlen 1877-1920. He married Barbara Elisabeth Smith 1881-1961. Five children were listed.
4 . Charles Joseph Gehlen 1879-1958. He married Henriett Gooderham 1890-1967. Three children were listed.
5 . George Gehlen born May 1882 Iowa died Salem OR 1911 ..
6 . John Gehlen born Apr 1884 Iowa ..
7 . Frank Gehlen born Jul 1886 Iowa..
8 . Apolonia ‘Abbie’ Marie Gehlen 1889-1966 ..
9 . Bennie Gehlen Oct 1891 Iowa …
10. Theodore Jus Gehlen 1900-1971. He married Mary A. LaCross 1896-1965. Two children were listed.

OBITUARY of Theodore Gehlen 1846-1904
Source: Alton Democrat, April 9, 1904.
The following regarding the death of Theo Gehlen who was an Alton citizen twenty years is taken from the Stayton Oregon Mail: "The sad and shocking news was received in Stayton Tuesday morning by telephone, that Theodore Gehlen had been discovered dead in the Rheinfelz hotel in Portland. Mr. Gehlen in company with John Spaniol went to the city on business Monday and stopping at the Rheinfelz--the hotel usually patronized by Mr. Gehlen when in the city--retired for the night both occupying the same bed. At about five o'clock Tuesday morning Mr. Spaniol arose and supposing Mr. Gehlen asleep went to call him and discovered that he was sleeping his last sleep. Mr. Spaniol at once notified Rev. Father Sorosky who was in the city and sent the sad news to the family here. The proper authorities were also notified and the body was moved to one of the undertaking establishments of the city. As soon as possible after the news of his death was received here his son Charles left for Portland. Mr. Spaniol remained there and the body was brought to Stayton yesterday afternoon. The cause of death was heart trouble from which Mr. Gehlen had been suffering but a few months. During the last couple of months he has had several attacks caused by disordered circulation of the blood but apparently he had no thought that the end was so near. The funeral will be held at the Catholic church in Sublimity Sunday at two p.m. A daughter and her husband Mr. and Mrs. Eulberg are expected to arrive Saturday.
Theodore Gehlen was born in Olm Luxembourg October 1846, coming to America in November 1863. He was married in 1870 to Miss Abbie List at Galena, Illinois. From there they moved to Iowa and took up a homestead where they resided until March 1892 when they came to Oregon and have since made Stayton their home.
Besides his wife Mr. Gehlen leaves ten children to mourn his death. They are Mrs. Mary Eulberg of Sioux City, Mrs. Lena Minten of Alton and Nic, Charles, George, John, Frank, Abbie, Bennie and Theodore all residents of Stayton.
Mr. Gehlen has for a number of years been in the mercantile business in Stayton and was one of the town's most popular and enterprising business men. He was honest and straightforward in all his dealings and had the respect and confidence of the people of the town and surrounding country. He was generous and charitable and always willing to accommodate a patron and many persons are indebted to him for help through a time of close finances. Being strictly honest himself he hated dishonesty in others and the impress of his character is shown in his sons, the enterprising and straightforward young men who have so unexpectedly been left in charge of a large business without the guiding hand of their father at the helm. That they will do their part to leave as clean a business record behind them as did their departed father no one doubts.
Theo. Gehlen was a kind husband and father loved and respected by his entire family and his sudden taking away is a shock that is hard to bear and it will be long before they can accustom themselves to his absence from among them. He will be greatly missed in the business circles of town as he was always ready to help any worthy enterprise and it will be a long time before his influence in the business interests of the town are forgotten. A good and worthy man has gone from among us and from his family and for the grief stricken ones the word of sympathy is heard on every hand. May their trust in Him "who doeth all things well" strengthen them in their sorrow and rest and peace be with the departed one."

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