John Gerken

John Gerken and Caroline Meyer

John Gerken was born on Nov. 15, 1877, in Adams Twp. Defiance County. His parents were Henry Gerken and Mary (Vorwerk) Gerken. John was reared in the parental home and received his education in the district schools and the Lutheran Parochial School. He began learning the blacksmith trade at Okolona in 1897 and in Feb., 1899, he came to Gerald and established the first blacksmith shop in Gerald. He cut native timber from his future father-in-law's woods, and built the blacksmith shop. He made buggies and Union Delivery wagons and also did horse-shoeing. He employed at various times a total of ten men.

On Feb. 12, 1903, he married Caroline Meyer, the daughter of Henry Meyer of Freedom Township. They were the parents of the following six children: Louella Doepke, of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; John Frederick of Gerald; Edna Schang of Archbold; Mildred Schroeder of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Clarence, now deceased, and Walter, of Napoleon.

On June 1, 1904, Mr. Gerken was appointed postmaster of Gerald for a four year term. He sold his blacksmith shop to William Von Deylen of Gerald. John Gerken became manager of the Gerald Grain & Stock Co. upon its incorporation in 1913. In 1928 the Gerald Elevator purchased the Naomi Elevator. Along with the purchase came a house which was moved to Gerald and served as the family home of John Gerken, Jr. Upon building a new home in 1940, this home was moved a second time to the north side of Gerald and inhabited by Henry Mohring. Mr. Gerken retired from the elevator in 1948. His son John became the manager. He also devoted many hours to bee keeping, providing many households with honey. He also enjoyed carpenter work. Mr. Gerken passed away in 1962 and Caroline passed away in 1967. They are buried in the church cemetery of St. John's Lutheran Church, of which they were both devoted members.

Submitted by Mrs. Marlene (Russell) Patterson