FREDERICK GERKEN, clerk of Freedom township, Henry county, is a native of this township, having been born on April 8, 1861, and is the son of Harmon and Mary (Mahnke) Gerken, both of whom were born in Hanover, Germany, the father in 1828, and the mother the same year. In 1857 they came to Henry county, where they were married. They were the first Low Germans to settle in Freedom township. Nine years later they purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 29, the same township, and there spent the rest of their days, the father dying on October 8, 1894, and the mother on February 2, 1905. The father was trustee of Freedom township for fifteen years, and they were both members of the German Lutheran church. Their children were as follows: Henry, Mary (Mrs. Frederick Huner), Frederick, Herman, William, George and John.
The subject was reared on the parental farm until he was twenty years old. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for eight years: In 1888 he began farming on his own account, renting part of the farm which he now owns, and in March, 1902, he located where he now lives, having built his present fine residence. He is the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of good land in section 27, and also owns forty acres in section 36 and forty acres in section 34, all in Freedom township. In the fall of 1898 he, in association with several others, built the elevator at Gerald, and now owns two-thirds of the enterprise. He also owns a one-third interest in an elevator at Napoleon.
In 1887 Mr. Gerken married Miss Ida Hogrefe, who was born in Adams township, Defiance county, this state, on October 7, 1863, the daughter of Henry Hogrefe, and to their union have been born the following children: August F., Paulina, Hulda, Frederick (now dead), Karl and Ida. In religion the family are affiliated with the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Gerken is a Democrat, and in the spring of 1894 he was elected clerk of Freedom township and has been retained, by successive re-elections, in the office ever since, certainly a marked testimonial to his ability, fidelity and popularity.