Individual Details
Ricklef Gerdes
(24 Aug 1855 - 20 May 1935)
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
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
Baptism
Godparents Helmrich Wilken, Warfsm. Rispel. Johann Kruse, ledig [single] Schnapp. Gretke Kruse, Ww. d. weil Warfsm. Hinrich Wilken Claaßen, Schnapp)Immigration
ausgewandert 1872 mit den ElternCensus (family)
27 63 63 Gerdes Rick 86 2 21 SE SE 29 M M Farmer Germany F F Militia, Voter28 Gerdes Mary 26 F M Keeping House IL F F
29 Gerdes William 5 M Jones Co. F F
30 Gerdes Gerhard 4 M Jones Co. F F
31 Gerdes John 3 M Jones Co. F F
1 Gerdes Margret 1 F Jones Co. F N
Census (family)
21 118 124 Ricklef Gerdes 39 M M German F F Farmer Lutheran22 Marry Gerdes 35 F M Ill N N Keeping house "
23 William Gerdes 15 M Jones F N "
24 Gerhard H Gerdes 14 M " " " "
25 John Gerdes 12 M " " " "
26 Maggie Gerdes 11 F " " " "
27 Fred Gerdes 9 M " " " "
28 Sophia Gerdes 7 F " " " "
29 August Gerdes 5 M " " " "
30 Hannah Gerdes 3 F " " " "
31 Anna Gerdes 3 F " " " "
32 Henry Gerdes 2 M " " " "
Page #674
Ln Dw Fm Given Name Surname Age Sex M Birthplace Fa Mo Occupation Religion Other
1 Sophia Maria Grumm 72 F W German F F Lutherian
Census (family)
126,127, Gerdes, Ricklef, Head, WM, Aug 1856, 43, Married 21 yrs, Germany 3x, Imm - 1872, 23 yrs in US, FarmerMaria S, Wife, WF, July 1858, 41, M-21, 12 children born & living, IL Germany Germany
William G, Son, WM, Sept 1879, 20, single, IA
Grace A, Daughter WF Feb 1884, 16 single, IA
Frederick H, Son, WM, Nov. 1885, 14, single, IA
Sophia A, Daughter, WF, Sept 1887, 12, single, IA
August R, Son, WM, Apr 1889, 11, single, IA
Hannah E, Daughter, WF, June 1891, 8, single, IA
Anna K, Daughter, WF, June 1891, 82 single, IA
Henry R, Son, WM, Mar 1893, 7, single, IA
Carl E, Son, WM, June 1896, 4, single, IA
Paul G, Son, WM, Mar 1900, 2/12, single, IA
Grumm, Sophia M, Mother-in-law, WF, Mar 1823, 77, Wd, Germany 3x, Immigrated 1854 - 46 yrs in US
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.
Burial
GERDES Ricklef b 24 Aug 1855 d 20 May 1935 C-2-7 age 79 bur 23 May 1935 headstoneEndnotes
1. Georgia Gerdes Ogas, "Gerdes-Germany/Iowa-1800's," e-mail message from
2. 1895 Iowa State Census. Castle Grove Township PAGES 44-67 + 931 Monticello Township PAGES 463-490 Monticello City PAGES 494-515, PAGES 516-537 Scotch Grove PAGES 753-776 (transcribed by Joanne Wilken http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/census/census.htm 2002), 1895 State Census Richland Township Pages 652-674.
3. Steve Read, "Descendants of Gerhard Gerdes," e-mail message from
4. , Ortssippenbuch Leerhafe (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), selected pages emailed by Jeanee Thompson (Ostfriesen List).
5. Steve Read, "Descendants of Gerhard Gerdes," e-mail message from
6. Georgia Gerdes Ogas, "Gerdes-Germany/Iowa-1800's," e-mail message from
7. Steve Read, "Descendants of Gerhard Gerdes," e-mail message from
8. 1885 State Census, Iowa, Jones Co. Ln=Line Number Dw=Dwelling number Fm=Family number Tw=Township Rn=Range Se=Section Loc=Location M=Marital status Fa=Father (Native/Foreign) Mo=Mother (Native/Foreign) (transcribed by Don Thomson for Rootsweb http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/census/85castle.htm 2002).
9. 1895 Iowa State Census. Castle Grove Township PAGES 44-67 + 931 Monticello Township PAGES 463-490 Monticello City PAGES 494-515, PAGES 516-537 Scotch Grove PAGES 753-776 (transcribed by Joanne Wilken http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/census/census.htm 2002), 1895 State Census Richland Township Pages 652-674.
10. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1900 > IOWA > JONES > RICHLAND TWP Series: T623 Roll: 440 Page: 185 .
11. "Brodersen Lindbloom", database, Sharon Lindbloom, Fort Wayne, IN, slindbloom13@yahoo.com, Rootsweb (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~slindbloom/ : accessed )"; submitted.