John H. Gericke
John H. Gericke
John H. Gericke, a successful farmers and expert machinist,
owning a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres in the
vicinity of Postville, was born in Clayton county, near National,
on the 3d of July, 1874. He is a son of John and Mary (Klinge)
Gericke, natives of Germany , the former born in Prussia and the
latter in Mecklenburg. The father crossed the Atlantic about 1869
and settled first in Chicago, where for a short time he worked in
the employ of others, later removing to Iowa and engaging in
railroad construction work between McGregor and La Crosse,
Wisconsin. He abandoned this in favor of agricultural pursuits,
working as a farm hand in Clayton county until his marriage,
after which he rented land and engaged in farming for himself.
Success steadily attended his labors and he was eventually able
to purchase a fine property in Post township and to this he has
added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and twenty
acres. He has of late years laid aside the cares of active life
and is living retired, his sons developing and cultivating the
farm. He and his wife became the parents of ten children: John
H., of this review; Ida, the wife of Chris Meyers, who operates
the farm adjoining Mr. Gericke’s; Fred, who is engaged in
farming in Franklin township; Bertha, the wife of Wendell
Wagener, a farmer near Castalia, Winneshiek county; Amelia, who
married Otto Sanders, a carpenter in Postville; Matilda, who
lives at home; Henry, who resides with his father on the
homestead; Amanda, who became the wife of William Sebastian, a
farmer in Franklin township; Senda, who lives at home; and
William, who resides on a farming Post township.
John H. Gericke acquired his education in the district schools of
Clayton county, and began his independent career when he was
eighteen years of age, at which time he formed a partnership with
his brother William and purchased a threshing machine, which he
operated during the threshing seasons, spending the remainder of
his time assisting in clearing the homestead. He continued thus
until he was twenty-seven years of age and again in partnership
with his brother William purchased a half interest in two hundred
and sixty-four acres of land. This property they cultivated for
three years, and at the end of that time Mr. Gericke of this
review sold his interests to his brother. He then purchased the
farm on which he now resides, his one hundred and sixty acres
being principally fine timber land, although he has a small tract
cleared and under cultivation. In addition to general farming he
operates a sawmill, a threshing machine, a silo filler and cutter
and a corn shredder and has developed a natural mechanical
ability until he is today an expert machinist, never needing any
assistance in setting up or operating his machinery.
Mr. Gericke is a member of the Turner Society of Postville and is
well and favorable known in that place. His life has been such as
to give him high standing in the locality where he makes his
home, and he is generally recognized as a man whose industry,
ability and well directed labors have not only contributed to his
own prosperity but have also promoted the growth and advancement
of the community at large.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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