Gerst, Fabian 1805/1880 & their 5 children's families

GERST, ZINHARM, ZINHAMPT, SELIG, DENNIS, SCHNEE, VANBERGEN, HILDERSHEIM

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/26/2022 at 11:09:28

Gerst. Fabian 1805 – 1880 & Katherine Zinharm with their 5 children’s families

This BIOS for the Gerst families was compiled by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Their family information and stories of the life and times of those pioneers can be read about in several Sioux County Books. “The Story of Sioux County” by Charles Dyk give a very colorful account of pioneer life with it joys and hardships. The book “Siouxland A History of Sioux County” by Nelson Nieuwenhuis give a great historical account of the area. The “1908 Sioux County Atlas” also has historical accounts of the various townships of Sioux County.

Fabian Gerst and his wife Anna Karina Petronella Zinkampf/Zinharm came to America in 1848 form Kurheasen Greis Schluchtern, Weberts Dorf, Germany. They had five children; Agatha, Peter, Gregory Mary Ann and John. They lived in Pittsburg Pennsylvania where John was born on Jan 15, 1849. Fabian Gerst was born January 20, 1805 in Germany. He homesteaded eighty acres northeast of Alton. He died September 20, 1880. His wife, Anna was born May 31, 1807 in Germany and died Mary 9, 1889. They are both buried at St. Anthony’s cemetery in Hospers Iowa.

Gregory Gerst came from Germany with his family at the age of six. For ten years, they lived in Pittsburg, when they moved to Mineral Point Wisconsin. In 1871 the family came to Iowa where his father, brother John and himself took up homesteads north east of Alton, Iowa. In 1876 he married Margaret Schnee. They retired to an acreage in the northeast section of Alton. The children were Edward, Joseph, Arthur, Rudolph, Rose (Mrs. Dom Jungers), Hilda (Mrs Carl Haag) and Fred.

When John Gerst was seven, his family moved from Pittsburg, PA to a small place near Dodgville, Wisconsin where he spent his boyhood days among the Irish of that vicinity. In the fall of 1871, John came to Sioux County and took up a homestead northeast of Alton. LeMars was the closest town . He married Gertrude Hildesheim on September2, 1884 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Atlon Iowa by Father Frei,. Witnesses were Joseph Selig and Mary Hildesteim. They had seven children; William, Joseph, Mary Ann, (Mrs. Earl Cotton), Anna Christian, Christine (Mrs. Harry Weaver) and a girl who died soon after birth.

Gerst, Fabian born 20 Jan 1805 died 20 Sep 1880 age 75 years on same headstone as Katherine as listed in the Sioux County IA cemetery index. ‘Katherine’ Anna Katrina Petronella Zinkampt born May 31, 1807 in Herolz Germany, she died May 9, 1889 buried in St. Anthony's cemetery Hospers .

RESEARCH NOTES Found in obits and in family report on ancestry.com (done by other than submitter of this BIOS)
Fabian Sebastian Gerst was born 20 Jan 1805 Heilbronn, Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany died 20 Sep 1880 Hospers, Sioux, Iowa, his parents names were not given. He married Anna Catharine Petronella Zinharm 1807-1889. Her parents names were not given.
1850 census of Brady’s Bend Armstrong PA Phabian Gerst was 45 born 1805 Germany His wife Catherine was 44, Children Catharine 17, Peter 14, Gregory 10 Mary 7 and John 1.

Children listed were: (Their is a discepency with the birth date of Peter and Gregory being 1840 but born different months. 1850 census indicates Peter was born 1836 )
1. Anna Agatha Gerst born 13 Feb 1833 died 26 Jan 1912 Hospers, Sioux Iowa, She married John Selig died 1886, Sioux county Iowa. See her obit toward the end of this narrative.
2. Peter Ernst Gerst born 5 Sep 1840 (born 1836 in 1850 census) died 1898 Mankato Blue Earth Minnesota. He married Julia Dennis 1842-1917. They had Children – Hattie 1865, Albert 1869, Lillie 1873, Arthur 1876 and Eva 1877
3. Gregory Gerst born 11 Mar 1840 hessen Germany died 2 Dec 1922 Alton Sioux Iowa He married Margaret Schnee 1860-1925. For their family and children’s information see the obituary toward the end of this narrative.
4. Mary Ann Gerst born 10 Sep 1843 Hessen Germany died 17 Mar 1932 Granville, Sioux Iowa. She married Julius Van Bergen. For their family and children’s information see the obituary toward the end of this narrative.
5. John Gerst born 1849 Pittsburg PA died 27 Sep 1922 Alton Sioux Iowa He married Gertrude Hildersheim. For their family and children’s information see John’s obit at the end of this narrative.

OBITUARY of Fabian Gerst
Sioux County Independent of Rock Valley Sept 25, 1880.
We regret to announce the death by accident on Monday last of Fabian Gerst of Floyd Township. He fell from a load of hay and lived but ten minutes afterward, being unconscious during that time. The remains were interred in the Hospers Cemetery on Tuesday. He was 75 years of age. See the obit of his wife Katherine Gerst 1807-1889 for more details on his family.

OBITUARY of Katherine Zinkampt Mrs. Fabian Gerts 1807-1889

From the Alton Democrat of May 11, 1889.
Mrs. Gerst, Mother of John and Greg, Living five miles east of town died last Thursday morning after a short illness. The Democrat extends sympathy to the boys and relatives.
(This was determined to be, as recorded in the St. Mary's Church book of Alton, Anna Katrina Petronella Zinkampt born May 31, 1807 in Herolz Germany, she died May 9, 1889 buried in St. Anthony's cemetery Hospers . She married Fabian Gerst bor n Jan 20, 1905 in Kurtheasen, Greis-Schluchtern, Germany, he died Sep 20, 1880 and is also buried in St. Anthony's Cemetery in Hospers IA. They came to America in 1849 from Kurheasen Greis Schluchtern Germany. They had the following children - Agatha, Peter, Gregory, Mary Ann and John. All children born in Germany except John was born in Pennsylvania.)

OBITUARY of Daughter of Fabian Gerts – Agatha Mrs. John Selig 1833-1912
Alton Democrat February 3, 1912
Mrs. Agatha Gerst Selig passed away on Friday January 26th. She fought bravely for several weeks against ailments brought on by old age, and on Friday was forced to give up the hopeless struggle. Every thing had been done for her that could be done to make the last days easy.
Mrs. Agatha Gerst Selig was born at Kurhessen Greis Schluchtern, Wiebert's dorf, Germany on
Wednesday February 13, 1833. She came to America with her parents In 1849 when the California gold fever was on and people were leaving Europe for the California gold fields.
They made their first home at Braydes Bend, PA. Here Agatha Gerst was united in marriage to John A. Selig on February 1st 18B2. Their union was blessed with twelve children, eleven of whom survive.
Mr. and Mrs. Seiig moved to Pittsburgh, PA., where they lived two years. From there they moved to St. Joseph's settlement, in Marshall county, West Virginia where they resided until 1872 when they moved to Sioux county, and to a homestead in the vicinity of Hospers where they spent the hard pioneer years. On November 13th 1886 Mr. Selig died.
Mrs. Selig was left with eleven children, some of them very young. She lived to see these Children become men and women, all of them doing well, and all of them highly respected. The children are: Mrs. Mary Kuehle, Beloit Kansas; Sister M. Argreda, Crofton Nebr.; J. P. Elizabeth, Seattle, Wash.; Fred, Stuttgart, Ark.; Mrs. Peter Jungers, Hospers; Sister M. Henrietta, Stuart, Nebr.; and Frank, Campbell, Nebr. She is also survived by two brothers, Gregory Gerst and John Gerst of Alton and one sister Mrs. Mary Van Bergen of Granville.
The funeral services were held on Monday from St. Anthony's church and were conducted by Rev. Gehling of Rosello Iowa, Father Dries, being ill. Peter Robinet, J. P. Maiers, John Langhorst, Wm. Walgenbach, Nick Jungers and Frank Haag neighbors and friends of the deceased for many years, acted as pall .bearers. The funeral was largely attended. J. P. Selig of Stuttgart, Ark., Mrs. M. C. Howard of Sherbourne,, Sister M.Henrietta of Stuart NE and Mrs. Kuehle of Beloit were present at the funeral of their mother.

OBITUAY of son of Fabian Gerts – Gregory Gerst 1840-1922
Source: Alton Democrat 12/9 1922 PS. Some of the names were illegible.
Gregory Gerst, aged pioneer resident of Alton, passed away at his home here Saturday, December 2nd, after an illness which confined him to his home for five years. He was 82 years old and came to Sioux County and homesteaded near Alton when a young man.
He was born March 11, 1840 in Germany, coming to the United States with his parents in his sixth year. The family lived at Pittsburgh Pa. for ten years. When a boy of fourteen years, young Gregory drove a team of mules hauling coal from the big mines. When he was sixteen his parents, and family moved to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, later settling on a farm near there. During the logging season, the young man used to "drive" logs on the Mississippi River. In 1871 the family came to Iowa, the father and each of the sons taking up a homestead, in Sioux County near what is now the town of Alton. In 1878 he was married to Margaret Schnee, the ceremony taking place in Le Mars. They had eleven children of whom six are living. The oldest son, Edward, lives at Cedar Rapids, Joe at Minneapolis, Mrs. D.N. Jungers, Hospers, Rudoplh and Arthur, Alton and Mrs. Carl Haag, Hospers. The family lived on a farm until a few years ago when they moved to Alton. Mrs. Gerst survives her life partner, and there is one sister living, Mrs. Mary Van Bergen of Granville.
Mr. Gerst had all the sturdy pioneer qualities. He was respected and liked by his neighbors and had a high standing in the community for integrity. He bore with fortitude the long illness and suffering from which death released him. The family have the sincere sympathy of all in the passing of the kind husband and father.
Funeral services were held from St. Mary's church Tuesday morning at 9:30, Rev. Bausch of Le Mars having charge in the absence of Fr. Brune. Interment was in St. Mary's Cemetery. Many relatives and friends were here for the funeral from out of town. The two oldest sons had but recently returned to their homes after spending time here with their father and were not able to come for the services. The other members of the family, including Mr. Gerst's sister, Mrs. Van Bergen of Granville, an invalid herself, were all here. Among others present were H.J. Schnee of Carthage, S.D. Frank and John Van Bergen, Don Penning and wife, Geo. Penning, all of Granville. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ganzemer Sp? and Mrs. Cle?ner of Sheldon, Tony Haag and Jake Haag, John and Nick Jungers, Joe Selig, Nathan, Jess and Sylvester Haag, all of Hospers, Mrs. Geo. Adler and children of Howard, S.D. Matt Ganfler?? of Ashton.

OBITUARY of daughter of Fabian Gerst – Mary Ann Mrs. Julius Van Bergen 1843-1932
Source: Alton Democrat (3-25-1932) Born: November 17, 1843 Died: March 17, 1932
AGED MOTHER, WAS PIONEER IN THIS COUNTY, MRS. VAN BERGEN OF GRANVILLE IS CALLED
Mrs. Mary Ann (Gerst) Van Bergen passed away at the home of her son, Frank Van Bergen of Granville, Thursday morning March 17, at 9:30 o’clock. She was 88 years of age.
Deceased was born at Hessen, Germany on November 17, 1843. She came to the United States in 1845 and first settled in Pennsylvania. At the age of 28 she married Julius Van Bergen, who preceded her in death 37 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Julius Van Bergen first located at Le Mars, Iowa and in 1887 they moved to Alton. Later the family located at Granville where she resided till her death. For the past three years deceased had made her home with her son Frank.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Bergen were blessed with six children, three boys and three girls, four of whom survive, as follows: Mrs. Nellie Penning, Granville; Mrs. Minnie Schwarz, Sheldon; John Van Bergen, Mission Hills, South Dakota; and Frank Van Bergen of Granville. Two children passed away during infancy. 19 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, also survive.
Mrs. Van Bergen was a devout member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a member of the Christian Mother Society. Funeral services were held at St. Joseph’s Church Sunday morning at 8:00 o’clock. Father Gerleman officiating. Interment was made in Sr. Joseph’s Cemetery. Pallbearers were Clarence, Wilfred and Francis Van Bergen, Edward, Julius and Martin Schwarz, grandchildren of the deceased.

OBITUARY of son of Fabian Gerst – John Gerst born 1849 died 1921
Alton Democrat, September 30, 1921
Pioneer of Alton Passes to Last Rest
John Gerst left this life on Wednesday, September the twenty-seventh. Came here in 1871 - Would have left but couldn't raise enough to go.
John Gerst passed away Wednesday morning at four o'clock after an illness lasting many months. He had not been well for years. But it was not until the last few months that he had been confined to his bed. The funeral will take place this Saturday morning at 10 o'clock from St. Mary's church.
Mr. Gerst was born at Pittsburgh, PA, January 15, 1849, when about 7 years of age the family moved to a small place near Dodgeville, Wisc., where he spent his boyhood days among the Irish of the vicinity. He stated that it was there he spent the best years of his life.
In the fall of 1871 he came to Sioux County and took up a homestead. LeMars was the closest town. He often talked of the awful blizzards of the early days, about shoveling out trains that were stalled in the snowdrifts on the railroads, the grasshopper days and all the hardships of the pioneers. Many settlers who were in better circumstances moved back east, but he could not get away.
September 2, 1884 he was married to Gertrude Hildersheim and to this union seven children were born. Wm. P., Amata, and Chris living here; Joseph, G.H., at Minneapolis; Mrs. Earle Cotton at Sioux City and Mrs. H. W. Wenver (not sure of spelling) of Toledo, Ohio. One of the children died an infant.
His hardships during pioneer days and not being able to get away proved a blessing. He owned over seven eighties of land, giving an eighty to each of his children and an eighty and a comfortable home in town to his wife. On account of ill health he moved to town about two years ago. He suffered considerable the past few years until death finally relieved him of all ills on September 27th.
Mr. Gerst was a man of simple and frugal habits. In the early days money was scarce and he got the habit of saving never forgetting the hardship of the early days.
The picture attached was retrieved from a family report on ancestry.com. It is of Fabian and Katerine Gerst.

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen