Individual Details

Ricklef Gerdes

(24 Aug 1855 - 20 May 1935)

Georgia Gerdes Ogas writes in March of 2000 that her "great grandfather, Rickleff Gerdes, was born in Germany in the 1800's and came to America (I believe with a brother or two) and settled in Iowa (I believe Anamosa or Castle Grove). He married Mary Grumm and they had 14 children. They moved to Terra Bella in 1913 - several older sons had already moved there, planted oranges, and helped to establish Zion Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). My grandfather, John J. Gerdes, was one of the sons who came to Terra Bella in 1909. He married Meta Specht in Castle Grove, Iowa, moved to Terra Bella in 1909,and they had 4 children (my dad, George Rickleff Gerdes, Marie Gerdes, and twins Hannah (Schultz) & Anna (Burtnett)}. Only Anna is alive now."

SOURCE: From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 326.

Ricklef Gerdes
Born August 24, 1855
Not only has Ricklef Gerdes won success in his vocation so that he is one of the leading farmers of Richland township but he has generously given to others of his skill and knowledge so that much of the prosperity of his township can be placed to his credit. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, but more than the area of his fields is the influence he has exerted for the progress and advancement of his fellow citizens. He was born in Hanover, Germany, August 24, 1855, and is a son of Gerd and Grace (Kruse) Gerdes, also natives of the fatherland. In 1872 they came to the United States, locating in Wayne township, this county. Later they made their home with their son John, in Cass township, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

Ricklef Gerdes was reared at home and, as he was about seventeen years of age when his parents came to America, he had obtained his education in the German schools. He spent one term in the schools of Jones county, however, to become more familiar with the English language. Since he has been a resident of this country Mr. Gerdes' life has been devoted to hard work. Immediately after his arrival he found employment as a farm hand, working by the month for the next six years. In 1878 he married and engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself. For five years he tilled the soil as a renter and then, in 1883, purchased the place in Richland township on which he now lives. He has added to its original area, however, from time to time until he now owns two hundred and forty acres, one-third of which lies in Scotch Grove township. While he has engaged extensively in a diversified line of agriculture he gives his especial attention to dairying, milking on an average twenty-five cows. In both of his industries he has been very successful and receives a gratifying income from his labors. Of more value to his fellow citizens than his own prosperity is the influence he has wielded in their midst, for during the period of fifteen years he has served as township trustee and for almost a quarter of a century has been continuously the president of the school board. In the administration of his duties he is both upright and progressive, never failing to prove true to the responsibilities reposed in him.

It was in 1878 that Mr. Gerdes was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Grumm, of Wayne township. She had been born, however, near Dixon, Illinois, where her parents had lived for a time after coming from Hanover, Germany. Thirteen children have been born of this union, all of whom are living: William, of Tulare county, California; Gerd, of Wayne township, this county; John, also of Wayne township; Margaret, who is at home; Fred, of Tulare county, California; Sophia, who is the wife of Arthur George, of Pomeroy, Iowa; August, who is at home; Hannah and Anna, who are twins and live at home; and Henry, Carl, Paul and Louisa, who are also at home.

Politically Mr. Gerdes is in sympathy with the democratic party, in his public life evincing fidelity to its principles, and he does all within his power to advance the best interests of his constituents. Regarding cooperative dairying of great value to the community, as director of the Klondyke Creamery Company he has promoted its interests. With his wife he belongs to the German Lutheran church, of which he has been director for the past fifteen years, in this fact again proving that his interests are those which most deeply concern the community.

Events

Birth	24 Aug 1855	Kirmeer, Leerhafe, Ostfriesland, Germany
Baptism	16 Sep 1855	Germany, Ostfriesland, Leerhafe
Immigration	1872
Marriage	21 Jan 1879	St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wayne Township, Jones, Iowa, United States - Maria Sophie "Mary" Grumm
Census (family)	1885	Richland Township, Jones, Iowa, United States - Maria Sophie "Mary" Grumm
Census (family)	1895	Richland Township, Jones, Iowa, United States - Maria Sophie "Mary" Grumm
Census (family)	19 Jun 1900	Richland Township, Jones, Iowa, United States - Maria Sophie "Mary" Grumm
Death	20 May 1935	Terra Bella, Tulare, California, United States
Burial	23 May 1935	Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Terra Bella, Tulare, California, United States

Families

Spouse	Maria Sophie "Mary" Grumm (1858 - 1937)
Child	William Gerhardt Gerdes (1879 - )
Child	Gerhard Henrich Gerdes (1880 - 1937)
Child	John J Gerdes (1881 - )
Child	Margaret "Maggie" Gerdes (1884 - 1930)
Child	Frederick H "Fred" Gerdes (1885 - )
Child	Sophia A Gerdes (1887 - )
Child	August Ricklef Gerdes (1889 - )
Child	Hannah E Gerdes (1891 - )
Child	Anna Katherine Gerdes (1891 - 1977)
Child	Henry R. Gerdes (1893 - )
Child	Carl E. Gerdes (1896 - )
Child	Paul G. Gerdes (1900 - )
Child	Louisa Gerdes (1900 - )

Father	Gerhard Gerdes (1819 - 1900)
Mother	Gesche Margaretha Kruse (1817 - 1895)
Sibling	Ancke Maria Gerdes (1846 - 1846)
Sibling	Anna Margaretha Gerdes (1847 - 1901)
Sibling	Hinrich Janßen Gerdes (1849 - 1917)
Sibling	Arend Janßen "Johnson" Gerdes (1852 - 1920)
Sibling	Knabe [boy] Gerdes (1854 - 1854)
Sibling	Johann "John" Gerdes (1858 - 1902)

Notes

Death

[May 20, 1935 Monticello Express]
Ricklef Gerdes, 79, born August 24, 1855 at Kerner, Leerhafe , Germany , immigrated in 1872 with his parents and settled in Wayne Township.
He married January 21, 1879 to Mary Grumm. They settled on a farm near Langworthy for a few years, then moved to a farm east of St. John’s Lutheran church at Sand Hill where they lived for thirty years before moving to Terra Bella, California.
They moved to California twenty years ago where several of their sons established their residence. They had 13 children, 12 survive. A daughter, Margaret, died in 1930.
Survivors include: William G., John L., Mrs. Fred Oltmanns, Mrs. Oscar Muche all of Terra Bella, California; G.H. Gerdes, and Mrs Grant Eilers of Monticello, Iowa; Henry Gerdes, Wyoming; August Gerdes, Earlville, Iowa; Mrs. Arthur George, Pomeroy, Iowa; Carl F. Gerdes; Isabella, California; and Paul Gerdes Woodlake California.
Burial at St. Johns Lutheran Church where deceased was the janitor, sexton, and Deacon. Ricklef had also been Wayne township trustee 15 years, President of the school board, Director Farmers Mutual Creamery and last survivor of his fathers family. Burial was at St. Johns Lutheran.

[The Monticello Express (Monticello, Iowa] June 6, 1935, p. 1]

Ricklef Gerdes Died May 20 In California

He Had Lived For 43 Years In Jones County Before Removal.

Ricklef Gerdes, 79, a respected former resident of Wayne township, Jones county, died May 20, at his home east of Terra Bella, Calif., where he had lived for more than 20 years. He had been in ill health for some time prior to his passing.
Mr. Gerdes was born August 24, 1855, at Kirmer, Leerhafe, Germany, where he was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church. He emigrated to the United States in 1872, and settled with his parents in Wayne township, Jones county.

Married in 1879.

The marriage of Mr. Gerdes to Mary Grumm occurred January 21, 1879. After their marriage they went to housekeeping on a farm, near Langworthy, where they lived for a few years, and then moved to a farm east of the Sand Hill Lutheran church, where they lived for over 30 years before moving to California. Twenty years ago Mr. and Mrs. Gerdes went to Terra Bella, Calif., where several of their sons had already established a residence. Like the sons, the older Mr. Gerdes engaged in the growing of citrus fruits.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerdes became the parents of thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, twelve of whom survive their father, a daughter Margaret having preceded her father in death in 1930. The surviving children are: William G. Gerdes, John J. Gerdes, Mrs. Fred Oltmanns and Mrs. Oscar Mucke, all of Terra Bell, Calif., G. H. Gerdes and Mrs. Grant Eilers of Monticello, Henry Gerdes of Wyoming, August Gerdes of Earlville, Mrs. Arthur George of Pomeroy, Carl E. Gerdes of Isabella, Calif., and Paul Gerdes of Woodlake, Calif.

Honored With Offices.

Mrs. Gerdes had been honored with a number of offices in the church and township during his residence in Monticello. he had served as deacon and janitor, as well as cemetery overseer, at St. John's Lutheran church for a good many years. He was trustee of Wayne township for over 15 years and served on the schoolboard for 25 years and at one time was a director. He also had been honored with the office of president of board of directors of the Farmers' Mutual Creamery company. He was the last survivor of his father's family.

Funeral services were held May 23, at Terra Bella, Calif., from the Zion Lutheran church. The services were in charge of Rev. W. F. Schlueter, with burial in the Lutheran cemetery.

Individual Details

Ricklef Gerdes

Events

Families

Notes

Baptism

Immigration

Census (family)

Census (family)

Census (family)

Death

Burial

Endnotes