Gerst, Fabian 1805-1888 & Anna Zinkampf Family

GERST, ZINKAMPF, ZINHARM, HILDESHEIM

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 1/4/2024 at 06:28:37

Gerst, Fabian 1805 – 1880 & Anna Zinkampf Family

This family history was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s Catholic Church book 1883-1983 page 144. The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes have been added the spelling of the names, places and dates as found in the particular document.

Fabian Gerst and his wife, Anna Katrina Petronella Zinkampf came to America in 1848 form Kurheasen Greis Schluchtern,Wieberts Dorf, Germany. The had five children: Agatha, Peter, Gregory, Mary Ann and John. They lived in Pittsburg Pennsylvania where son, John, was born on January 15, 1849. Fabian Geerst was born Jan 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 May 9, 1889. They are both buried at St. Anthony’s cemetery in Hospers, Iowa.

When John Gerst was seven, his family moved from Pittsburgh, PA to a small place near Dodgeville, 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 September 2, 1884 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Alton Iowa by Father Frei. Witnesses were Joseph Selig and Mary Hildesheim. 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. (All are now deceased)

William Hildesheim was born March 12, 1825 in Germany. William and Mary Bierenholen Hildesheim were the parents of Gertrude Hildesheim Gerst. The Hildesheim’s were early pioneers marrying in Guttenberg, Iowa on June 27, 1857. They later moved to Cassville, Wisconsin where they lived for 18 years and in March 1882 moved to Sioux county and purchased a homestead southeast of Alton and after a few years moved to town. They had seven children (six were living at the time of William’s death) Joseph, Sister Amata, Mrs John Gertrude Gerst, Mrs. Frank Leverman, Mrs. Chris Minten and Jacob Hildesheim. William died on Febuary 15, 1890. Mrs. Hildesheim died in 1919, the Hildesheims donated the Mater Dolorosa Alter in St. Mary’s Church Alton IA.

Gertrude Hildesheim Gerst, born at Cassville, Wisconsin, November 9, 1863, came with her pioneer parents to Sioux county by covered wagon in the early 1870’s. She was married to John Gerst in 1884. They homesteaded northeast of Alton and later bought the place just north of Alton now owned by Andy Miedema family. In 1919 John Gerst bought the Hildsheim house in Alton after the death of Mrs. Gerst’s mother, Mrs. Mary Hildesheim, who died at the age of ninety. The Hildesheim house was located on the lot where the Clarence Willett family now lives.

RESEARCH Notes: From a family report on ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter.

Fabian Sebastian Gerst was born 20 Jan 1805 Heilbronn, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany and died 20 Sep 1880 Hospers, Sioux, Iowa. His parents name were not given. He married Anna Catharine Petronella Zinharm born 31 May 1807 Herolz, Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Germany. Her parents not given. Fabian and Anna were married in Germany. They had five children as follow:

CHILDREN: Obituaries found on this web page.
1. Anna Agatha Gerst born Feb 1833 Herolz, Hessen, Germany died 26 Jan 1912 Hospers, Sioux, IA. She married John Adam Selig 1821- 13 Nov1886. Included is the obituary of ‘Agatha’ Selig Mrs. John 1833-1912 as published in the Alton Democrat of Feb 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. of Stuttgart, Ark.; Joseph of Hospers, George of Stuttgart, Ark.; Mrs. M. C. Howard, Sherbourne, Minn.; 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.

2. Peter Ernst Gerst born 5 Sep 1840 Hessen Germany died 1896 Minneapolis, MN buried Center Grove Cemetery Dubuque IA . He married Julia Case Dennis born 1842 New York died 1917. Children listed – Hattie Dennis 1865, Albert Dennis 1869, Lillie Gerst 1873, Arthur John Gerst 1876, Eva Gerst 1877-1960, Annette Gerst 1881-1961.
On the site Find A Grave found his obituary that was in the Dubuque Daily Times of September 11, 1896. Peter Gerst died very unexpectedly in Minneapolis Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1896, after an illness or but two or three days. Mr. Gerst was a native of Germany, born Sept. 5, 1838[sic]. He came to America when a boy 8 or 9 years old and lived in Iowa about thirty years. In 1873 he married Mrs. Dennis, mother of Mr. Will Dennis, of the firm of Watters & Dennis. He is survived by his wife and four children, Lillian, Arthur, Eva and Nettie. The step-children are Will Dennis, Al Dennis and Hattie, wife of A.C. Watters, of Anamosa, Iowa. He also leaves two brothers and two married sisters at Alton, Iowa. The funeral will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock, from the family residence, 281 West Fifth street. Burial will be at Center Grove cemetery.

3. Gregory Gerst born 11 Mar 1840 Hessen Germany died 2 Dec 1922 Alton, Sioux, Iowa. He married Margaret Schnee 16 Jul 1878 Le Mars, IA. Margaret Schnee was born 11 Jan 1860 Dodgeville, Wisconsin, died 23 Apr 1925 Alton, Sioux, Iowa. Children listed – Albert Gerst 1879, Edward Peter Gerst 1881-1968, Frederick Gerst 1883-1918, Joseph ‘Russel’ Gerst 1885-1972, Rosa Susan Gerst 1887-1976, Rudolph Gregory Gerst 1896-1951, Joseph Gerst 1897-1972, Arthur Joseph Gerst 1898, Hildagard Gerst 1903-1987.
The obituary of Gregory Gerst posted in the Alton Democrat of Dec 9, 1922.
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, Rudolph 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. (some of the names were illegible)

4. Mary Ann Gerst born 10 Sep 1843 Hessen Germany died 17 Mar 1932 Granville, Sioux, Iowa. She married Julius Van Bergen. The obituary of Mary Ann Van Bergen is included as published in the Alton Democrat of Mar 25, 1932.
Aged Mother, Was Pioneer In This County, Mrs. Van Bergen of Granvile 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.

5. John Gerst born 1849 Pittsburg PA, died 27 Sep 1922 Alton, Sioux, Iowa. He married Gertrude Hildersheim.
His obituary was carried in the Alton Democrat of September 30, 1921 as follows:
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 Hildesheim 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.

OBITUARY of Fabian Gerst 1805-1880.
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. 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 Anna Katherine Mrs. Fabian Gerst 1807-1889. Gerst, Catherine (Anna Katherine) born 31 May 1807 died 9 May 1889 buried in St. Anthony’s cemetery at Hospers, IA. A listing from the WPA cemetery index. 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. Note: in a report on ancestry.com (by others) Anna Katherine Petronella Zinkamph was born 31 May 1807 Herolz, Main Kinzig Kreis, Hessen Germany died 9 May 1889 Hospers IA, was married to Fabian Sebastian Gerst born 20 Jan 1805 Kurheasen, Gries Schluchtern, Germany died 20 Sep 1880 Hospers IA. They were the parents of Gregory Gerst 1840-1922 and John 1849-1922 as mentioned in the paper death notice. Also noted on ancestry was a sister Anna Agatha 1833-1912.

These pictures were found on the Ancestry.com public member site. Fabian Gerst and Anna Zinkampf.

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