Bios of Gerken, Charles J. (b.1898) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Gerken, Charles J. (page 775), one of the younger farmers in Mt. Pleasant
Township, who is well embarked on a prosperous career, was born in section
5, this township, in which he now lives, on June 29, 1898, son of Henry
and Anna (Cordes) Gerken. His parents are now deceased, the father having
passed away March 28, 1903, and the mother February 15, 1917. Charles J.
acquired his elementary education in the district school and afterwards
attended a business college at Red Wing. Being the only child of his
parents, he came into possession of the home farm, which has an area of
170 acres, ten of which are in a wood lot. The farm is provided with an
adequate set of buildings, the residence being a two-story frame
structure. The barn has the dimensions of 36 by 60 by 14 fee, with an
8-foot stone basement; and there is a good tool shed, 22 by 36 by 10 feet,
and poultry house 16 by 40 by 8 feet. The soil of the farm is productive
and Mr. Gerken has 160 acres under the plow, all, in fact, save the wood
lot. He follows general farming, keeping high grade Holstein cattle and
full-blooded Poland-China swine. Lake City, eight miles east, affords him
a convenient market. Mr. Gerken is a good practical farmer, active and
industrious, and each year sees him farther advanced on the road of
prosperity. Politically he is a Republican, while his religious
affiliations are with the Lutheran church.