Gesche Böttcher immigrated to America with her parents and siblings in 1854. The family arrived at New Orleans, LA, on 26 Nov 1859 aboard the ship "Edmund." Settling in Gasconade County, MO, Gesche Böttcher married Henry Gerken on 04 May 1860.
The year 1890 brought sickness and death to the Henry Gerken household. The parents lost four sons to nerve fever: Herman, born circa 1865, died Aug 1890; George, born circa 1871, died Sept 1890; Louis, born circa 1877, died Sept 1890; and Heinrich, born 1868, died Oct 1890.
The first son of H. & G. Gerken to die that summer was Herman on 08 Aug 1890:
Scarcely recovered were the little ones, Mary and Johnny, when Herman in the glowing age of 26 fell ill to the sickness. But he had already found the Lord in his days and learned to bend the knee before Him and now in premonition of his end interacted much with his God until he departed in peace. ...
The second son of H. & G. Gerken to die that summer was George; he probably died in early September 1890:
20-year-old youth, George, would soon follow his brother in death and we reliably believe that he died blessed. ...
A portion of obituary for third son to die, Louis, follows:
Gerken -- Our brothers and sisters. Henry Gerken [father] was during the past summer severely homebound through illness and death of more of the children from Nerve fever. ... Still the hole in the family grew greater when 15-year-old Louis struggled likewise with life and death. Still, what approached him, he recognized with joy: "I know that Jesus loves me and that I have love for him." And those that love Jesus will be with him -- with this trust dared Louis to depart. ...
Bland, Mo. H Miller
Son Heinrich "Henry" Gerken was born circa 10 September 1868. He died 24 October 1890, age 22 years, 1 month, and 14 days. A portion of Heinrich's 1890 obituary follows:
Gerken - Our brothers and sisters. ... Henry, 22 years old lay critically ill. Also he was earnest about the salvation of his soul and during this mortal existence concerned himself with God about spiritual affairs. During his five week difficult suffering he would always busy himself with his savior. Gladly would he enjoy bodily enjoyment, how gladly would he spend more time with his (loved ones) especially his mother, but like a sincere Christian prayed, "Yet not my will, but yours be done, O. Lord, I know that I go to heaven," and so he fell asleep soft in the arms of his Savior.
Bland, Mo. H Miller
Margaretha Gesche (Böttcher) Gerken, mother of 12 children with four surviving, died 29 Jun 1907 at Deaconess Hospital, St. Louis, where she had gone to be under the care of specialists.
---
the Bland Courier, 5 July 1907:
DIED-GERKEN
Margaretha Gesche Gerken (nee Boettcher), born at Test, Hanover, Germany, on the 29th day of Sept., 1839, and died on the 29th day of June, 1907, in St. Louis, Mo., where she had gone for medical aid. She was brought to her home at Bland on July 1st. She reached the age of 67 years and 9 months. She came to America in 1859 and made her home at New Woollam, Mo. She was married to Henry Gerken May 4, 1860. She became a member of the M. E. church in 1865, and remained a faithful member until death. Sister Gerken was a devout Christian and led a consistent life. She won many friends who mourn her departure. The last 10 yrs. of her life she was a sufferer and bore her affliction with Christian patience. She is now at rest; peace to her ashes. The funeral was on the second day of July 1907, conducted by Rev., E. Goetz and Rev. H. Miller, the former spoke in German and the latter in English. Her remains were laid to rest in the Bland Union cemetery.
Sister Gerken leaves her husband, four children and two grand children. The children are Miss Olly Gerken of Bland, Mrs. Anna Strehlmann of Leslie, Miss Mary Gerken of Bland, and John Gerken of Leslie, Mo. Eight children passed on before.
She shall sleep, but not forever,
In the lone and silent grave.
Blessed be the Lord that taketh.
Blessed be the Lord that gave.
In the bright, eternal city
Death can never, never come:
In his own good time he'll call her
From her rest to home, sweet home.
--
Gasconade County Republican, July 1907:
Mrs. Henry Gerkin [sic] Dead.
Word came last Sunday morning that Mrs. Henry Gerkin of Bland, had died in a hospital in St. Louis Saturday night. Mrs. Gerkin had been ill for a long time and a few weeks ago went to St. Lois to be under the care of specialists.
The remains were shipped to Bland Tuesday and … there a huge procession of mourning friends followed to the cemetery near Bland where the last sad rites were performed and Mrs. Gerkin was laid to rest.
The deceased lady was 66 years and 9 months old and is survived by a husband, three daughters and one son.
For many years the family lived a few miles from Owensville on the road to Canaan, only moving to Bland about 3 years ago. Previous to their removal to Bland, Mr. and Mrs. Gerkin were members of the Owensville German M. E. church and their many friends here sincerely sympathize with the afflicted family.
The year 1890 brought sickness and death to the Henry Gerken household. The parents lost four sons to nerve fever: Herman, born circa 1865, died Aug 1890; George, born circa 1871, died Sept 1890; Louis, born circa 1877, died Sept 1890; and Heinrich, born 1868, died Oct 1890.
The first son of H. & G. Gerken to die that summer was Herman on 08 Aug 1890:
Scarcely recovered were the little ones, Mary and Johnny, when Herman in the glowing age of 26 fell ill to the sickness. But he had already found the Lord in his days and learned to bend the knee before Him and now in premonition of his end interacted much with his God until he departed in peace. ...
The second son of H. & G. Gerken to die that summer was George; he probably died in early September 1890:
20-year-old youth, George, would soon follow his brother in death and we reliably believe that he died blessed. ...
A portion of obituary for third son to die, Louis, follows:
Gerken -- Our brothers and sisters. Henry Gerken [father] was during the past summer severely homebound through illness and death of more of the children from Nerve fever. ... Still the hole in the family grew greater when 15-year-old Louis struggled likewise with life and death. Still, what approached him, he recognized with joy: "I know that Jesus loves me and that I have love for him." And those that love Jesus will be with him -- with this trust dared Louis to depart. ...
Bland, Mo. H Miller
Son Heinrich "Henry" Gerken was born circa 10 September 1868. He died 24 October 1890, age 22 years, 1 month, and 14 days. A portion of Heinrich's 1890 obituary follows:
Gerken - Our brothers and sisters. ... Henry, 22 years old lay critically ill. Also he was earnest about the salvation of his soul and during this mortal existence concerned himself with God about spiritual affairs. During his five week difficult suffering he would always busy himself with his savior. Gladly would he enjoy bodily enjoyment, how gladly would he spend more time with his (loved ones) especially his mother, but like a sincere Christian prayed, "Yet not my will, but yours be done, O. Lord, I know that I go to heaven," and so he fell asleep soft in the arms of his Savior.
Bland, Mo. H Miller
Margaretha Gesche (Böttcher) Gerken, mother of 12 children with four surviving, died 29 Jun 1907 at Deaconess Hospital, St. Louis, where she had gone to be under the care of specialists.
---
the Bland Courier, 5 July 1907:
DIED-GERKEN
Margaretha Gesche Gerken (nee Boettcher), born at Test, Hanover, Germany, on the 29th day of Sept., 1839, and died on the 29th day of June, 1907, in St. Louis, Mo., where she had gone for medical aid. She was brought to her home at Bland on July 1st. She reached the age of 67 years and 9 months. She came to America in 1859 and made her home at New Woollam, Mo. She was married to Henry Gerken May 4, 1860. She became a member of the M. E. church in 1865, and remained a faithful member until death. Sister Gerken was a devout Christian and led a consistent life. She won many friends who mourn her departure. The last 10 yrs. of her life she was a sufferer and bore her affliction with Christian patience. She is now at rest; peace to her ashes. The funeral was on the second day of July 1907, conducted by Rev., E. Goetz and Rev. H. Miller, the former spoke in German and the latter in English. Her remains were laid to rest in the Bland Union cemetery.
Sister Gerken leaves her husband, four children and two grand children. The children are Miss Olly Gerken of Bland, Mrs. Anna Strehlmann of Leslie, Miss Mary Gerken of Bland, and John Gerken of Leslie, Mo. Eight children passed on before.
She shall sleep, but not forever,
In the lone and silent grave.
Blessed be the Lord that taketh.
Blessed be the Lord that gave.
In the bright, eternal city
Death can never, never come:
In his own good time he'll call her
From her rest to home, sweet home.
--
Gasconade County Republican, July 1907:
Mrs. Henry Gerkin [sic] Dead.
Word came last Sunday morning that Mrs. Henry Gerkin of Bland, had died in a hospital in St. Louis Saturday night. Mrs. Gerkin had been ill for a long time and a few weeks ago went to St. Lois to be under the care of specialists.
The remains were shipped to Bland Tuesday and … there a huge procession of mourning friends followed to the cemetery near Bland where the last sad rites were performed and Mrs. Gerkin was laid to rest.
The deceased lady was 66 years and 9 months old and is survived by a husband, three daughters and one son.
For many years the family lived a few miles from Owensville on the road to Canaan, only moving to Bland about 3 years ago. Previous to their removal to Bland, Mr. and Mrs. Gerkin were members of the Owensville German M. E. church and their many friends here sincerely sympathize with the afflicted family.
Gesche Böttcher immigrated to America with her parents and siblings in 1854. The family arrived at New Orleans, LA, on 26 Nov 1859 aboard the ship "Edmund." Settling in Gasconade County, MO, Gesche Böttcher married Henry Gerken on 04 May 1860.
The year 1890 brought sickness and death to the Henry Gerken household. The parents lost four sons to nerve fever: Herman, born circa 1865, died Aug 1890; George, born circa 1871, died Sept 1890; Louis, born circa 1877, died Sept 1890; and Heinrich, born 1868, died Oct 1890.
The first son of H. & G. Gerken to die that summer was Herman on 08 Aug 1890:
Scarcely recovered were the little ones, Mary and Johnny, when Herman in the glowing age of 26 fell ill to the sickness. But he had already found the Lord in his days and learned to bend the knee before Him and now in premonition of his end interacted much with his God until he departed in peace. ...
The second son of H. & G. Gerken to die that summer was George; he probably died in early September 1890:
20-year-old youth, George, would soon follow his brother in death and we reliably believe that he died blessed. ...
A portion of obituary for third son to die, Louis, follows:
Gerken -- Our brothers and sisters. Henry Gerken [father] was during the past summer severely homebound through illness and death of more of the children from Nerve fever. ... Still the hole in the family grew greater when 15-year-old Louis struggled likewise with life and death. Still, what approached him, he recognized with joy: "I know that Jesus loves me and that I have love for him." And those that love Jesus will be with him -- with this trust dared Louis to depart. ...
Bland, Mo. H Miller
Son Heinrich "Henry" Gerken was born circa 10 September 1868. He died 24 October 1890, age 22 years, 1 month, and 14 days. A portion of Heinrich's 1890 obituary follows:
Gerken - Our brothers and sisters. ... Henry, 22 years old lay critically ill. Also he was earnest about the salvation of his soul and during this mortal existence concerned himself with God about spiritual affairs. During his five week difficult suffering he would always busy himself with his savior. Gladly would he enjoy bodily enjoyment, how gladly would he spend more time with his (loved ones) especially his mother, but like a sincere Christian prayed, "Yet not my will, but yours be done, O. Lord, I know that I go to heaven," and so he fell asleep soft in the arms of his Savior.
Bland, Mo. H Miller
Margaretha Gesche (Böttcher) Gerken, mother of 12 children with four surviving, died 29 Jun 1907 at Deaconess Hospital, St. Louis, where she had gone to be under the care of specialists.
---
the Bland Courier, 5 July 1907:
DIED-GERKEN
Margaretha Gesche Gerken (nee Boettcher), born at Test, Hanover, Germany, on the 29th day of Sept., 1839, and died on the 29th day of June, 1907, in St. Louis, Mo., where she had gone for medical aid. She was brought to her home at Bland on July 1st. She reached the age of 67 years and 9 months. She came to America in 1859 and made her home at New Woollam, Mo. She was married to Henry Gerken May 4, 1860. She became a member of the M. E. church in 1865, and remained a faithful member until death. Sister Gerken was a devout Christian and led a consistent life. She won many friends who mourn her departure. The last 10 yrs. of her life she was a sufferer and bore her affliction with Christian patience. She is now at rest; peace to her ashes. The funeral was on the second day of July 1907, conducted by Rev., E. Goetz and Rev. H. Miller, the former spoke in German and the latter in English. Her remains were laid to rest in the Bland Union cemetery.
Sister Gerken leaves her husband, four children and two grand children. The children are Miss Olly Gerken of Bland, Mrs. Anna Strehlmann of Leslie, Miss Mary Gerken of Bland, and John Gerken of Leslie, Mo. Eight children passed on before.
She shall sleep, but not forever,
In the lone and silent grave.
Blessed be the Lord that taketh.
Blessed be the Lord that gave.
In the bright, eternal city
Death can never, never come:
In his own good time he'll call her
From her rest to home, sweet home.
--
Gasconade County Republican, July 1907:
Mrs. Henry Gerkin [sic] Dead.
Word came last Sunday morning that Mrs. Henry Gerkin of Bland, had died in a hospital in St. Louis Saturday night. Mrs. Gerkin had been ill for a long time and a few weeks ago went to St. Lois to be under the care of specialists.
The remains were shipped to Bland Tuesday and … there a huge procession of mourning friends followed to the cemetery near Bland where the last sad rites were performed and Mrs. Gerkin was laid to rest.
The deceased lady was 66 years and 9 months old and is survived by a husband, three daughters and one son.
For many years the family lived a few miles from Owensville on the road to Canaan, only moving to Bland about 3 years ago. Previous to their removal to Bland, Mr. and Mrs. Gerkin were members of the Owensville German M. E. church and their many friends here sincerely sympathize with the afflicted family.
The year 1890 brought sickness and death to the Henry Gerken household. The parents lost four sons to nerve fever: Herman, born circa 1865, died Aug 1890; George, born circa 1871, died Sept 1890; Louis, born circa 1877, died Sept 1890; and Heinrich, born 1868, died Oct 1890.
The first son of H. & G. Gerken to die that summer was Herman on 08 Aug 1890:
Scarcely recovered were the little ones, Mary and Johnny, when Herman in the glowing age of 26 fell ill to the sickness. But he had already found the Lord in his days and learned to bend the knee before Him and now in premonition of his end interacted much with his God until he departed in peace. ...
The second son of H. & G. Gerken to die that summer was George; he probably died in early September 1890:
20-year-old youth, George, would soon follow his brother in death and we reliably believe that he died blessed. ...
A portion of obituary for third son to die, Louis, follows:
Gerken -- Our brothers and sisters. Henry Gerken [father] was during the past summer severely homebound through illness and death of more of the children from Nerve fever. ... Still the hole in the family grew greater when 15-year-old Louis struggled likewise with life and death. Still, what approached him, he recognized with joy: "I know that Jesus loves me and that I have love for him." And those that love Jesus will be with him -- with this trust dared Louis to depart. ...
Bland, Mo. H Miller
Son Heinrich "Henry" Gerken was born circa 10 September 1868. He died 24 October 1890, age 22 years, 1 month, and 14 days. A portion of Heinrich's 1890 obituary follows:
Gerken - Our brothers and sisters. ... Henry, 22 years old lay critically ill. Also he was earnest about the salvation of his soul and during this mortal existence concerned himself with God about spiritual affairs. During his five week difficult suffering he would always busy himself with his savior. Gladly would he enjoy bodily enjoyment, how gladly would he spend more time with his (loved ones) especially his mother, but like a sincere Christian prayed, "Yet not my will, but yours be done, O. Lord, I know that I go to heaven," and so he fell asleep soft in the arms of his Savior.
Bland, Mo. H Miller
Margaretha Gesche (Böttcher) Gerken, mother of 12 children with four surviving, died 29 Jun 1907 at Deaconess Hospital, St. Louis, where she had gone to be under the care of specialists.
---
the Bland Courier, 5 July 1907:
DIED-GERKEN
Margaretha Gesche Gerken (nee Boettcher), born at Test, Hanover, Germany, on the 29th day of Sept., 1839, and died on the 29th day of June, 1907, in St. Louis, Mo., where she had gone for medical aid. She was brought to her home at Bland on July 1st. She reached the age of 67 years and 9 months. She came to America in 1859 and made her home at New Woollam, Mo. She was married to Henry Gerken May 4, 1860. She became a member of the M. E. church in 1865, and remained a faithful member until death. Sister Gerken was a devout Christian and led a consistent life. She won many friends who mourn her departure. The last 10 yrs. of her life she was a sufferer and bore her affliction with Christian patience. She is now at rest; peace to her ashes. The funeral was on the second day of July 1907, conducted by Rev., E. Goetz and Rev. H. Miller, the former spoke in German and the latter in English. Her remains were laid to rest in the Bland Union cemetery.
Sister Gerken leaves her husband, four children and two grand children. The children are Miss Olly Gerken of Bland, Mrs. Anna Strehlmann of Leslie, Miss Mary Gerken of Bland, and John Gerken of Leslie, Mo. Eight children passed on before.
She shall sleep, but not forever,
In the lone and silent grave.
Blessed be the Lord that taketh.
Blessed be the Lord that gave.
In the bright, eternal city
Death can never, never come:
In his own good time he'll call her
From her rest to home, sweet home.
--
Gasconade County Republican, July 1907:
Mrs. Henry Gerkin [sic] Dead.
Word came last Sunday morning that Mrs. Henry Gerkin of Bland, had died in a hospital in St. Louis Saturday night. Mrs. Gerkin had been ill for a long time and a few weeks ago went to St. Lois to be under the care of specialists.
The remains were shipped to Bland Tuesday and … there a huge procession of mourning friends followed to the cemetery near Bland where the last sad rites were performed and Mrs. Gerkin was laid to rest.
The deceased lady was 66 years and 9 months old and is survived by a husband, three daughters and one son.
For many years the family lived a few miles from Owensville on the road to Canaan, only moving to Bland about 3 years ago. Previous to their removal to Bland, Mr. and Mrs. Gerkin were members of the Owensville German M. E. church and their many friends here sincerely sympathize with the afflicted family.
Inscription
GERKEN: GESCHE M. 1839-1907, HENRY 1835-1910
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