BIOGRAPHIES:  William H. GEHRKING, Elk Mound Township, Dunn Co., WI

*********************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be
reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other 
organization or persons.  Persons or organizations desiring to use 
this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor,
or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed
USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given
permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently 
for free access.

Submitted by:  Laura Abood <wabood@msn.com>  11 May 2005
*********************************************************************

William H. Gehrking, the present chairman of the board of
supervisors of the town of Elk Mound, and, therefore, a member of the
county board, was born on his parents' farm in Section 36, April 26,
1878, the parents being William and Mary (Hesemeyer) Gehrking. 
William H. was educated in the Elk Mound schools and grew up on the
home farm, where he resided until 17 years old.  For some years after
that his time was spent working the woods at logging in winter and in
summer either in sawmills or at farming.  It was in 1904 that he
began farming on his own account, buying 80 acres of land from his
father in Section 25, situated just across the road from the place
where he was born.  About 40 acres of this tract has been broken and
partly developed, and there was a poor set of buildings on the place.
Since then 20 years have elapsed, which have been years of action and
achievement on the part of Mr. Gehrking, the result of which may be
seen in the fine modern farm of which he is now proprietor, and of
which 65 acres are now under cultivation.  He has a large dairy barn
of 34 x 60 feet with full basement, and an equipment of litter
carrier, steel stanchions, drinking cups and water system.  The other
out-buildings are in keeping with the barn and the house is a
substantial and comfortable residence, flanked by tasteful lawns and
shrubbery.  The farm is well fenced and its whole appearance gives
evidence of capable management, and the direction of a mind in
harmony with modern and progressive ideas.  Mr. Gehrking has served
as supervisor for nine years.  He was elected chairman of the town
board for the term of 1923-24, the incumbency of that office making
him also a member of the county board, and as such he is still
serving.  He is a stockholder in the Elk Mound Cooperative Creamery. 
On March 29, 1905 Mr. Gehrking was united in marriage with Mary
Kackman, who was born in the town of Elk Mound, Feb. 9, 1882.  He and
his wife are the parents of five children, who were born as follows: 
Lucille M., Feb. 20, 1908; Hazel E., June 22, 1912; Mabel E., Feb. 2,
1914; Clarence W., Sept. 28, 1916; and Norman H., born Nov. 23, 1919.
Mr. and Mrs. Gehrking and family attend the Evangelical Church at Elk
Mound.
 
Transcribed from the "History of Dunn County Wisconsin, 1925" pages
689-690

© All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm