Gerst, John - 1849-1921

GERST, HILDERSHEIM

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/23/2014 at 19:23:52

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.