Gehrke Family of Chemung, NY
I would like to thank Eileen Hanigan Barrett-Pizza for the story, photo and information on her Great Grandfather Julius Gehrke. She has given us another piece to our town's history puzzle. - Mary Ellen
Julius F Gehrke House & Farm, (built by John McDowell)
A marriage record at the German Evangelical Church, Elmira, Chemung County NY shows on July 5, 1884, Herr Julius F. Gehrke married Fraulein Carolina W. Kraus. Julius was born in Schlochau, Germany, which at the time was in West Prussia, in the 1880's. (Both of his wives were from Germany as well.) Julius bought this 100+ acre tobacco farm in 1899, built by the Hon. John G. McDowell. Carolina died in March 1889, three days after giving birth to daughter, Wilhelmina. Julius and Carolina also had two sons: Herman Julius born April 1885, and Edward William born October 11, 1886 - died January 30, 1865. Julius's second wife was Hulda Bast. They had Meta (Mattie) I. born October 4, 1895 - died February 20, 1953 and Henry Albert, born October 2, 1897. The house was built in 1838 by John McDowell.
Julius resided on his farm until his death August 28, 1935. Hulda remained on the farm until her death June 14, 1938. Their names were located in a Chemung County Obituary Index Listing as: Gehrke, Hulda B. death 6/14 /1938, date of obituary: June 19, 1938 and Gehrke, Julius F. death August 25, 1935, date of obituary: September 1, 1935.
Julius gave a parcel of his land for the use as a cemetery, which is known today as the Riverside Cemetery adjacent to his property. A deed was recorded in January 1938.
Julius F Gehrke House & Farm, (built by John McDowell)
A marriage record at the German Evangelical Church, Elmira, Chemung County NY shows on July 5, 1884, Herr Julius F. Gehrke married Fraulein Carolina W. Kraus. Julius was born in Schlochau, Germany, which at the time was in West Prussia, in the 1880's. (Both of his wives were from Germany as well.) Julius bought this 100+ acre tobacco farm in 1899, built by the Hon. John G. McDowell. Carolina died in March 1889, three days after giving birth to daughter, Wilhelmina. Julius and Carolina also had two sons: Herman Julius born April 1885, and Edward William born October 11, 1886 - died January 30, 1865. Julius's second wife was Hulda Bast. They had Meta (Mattie) I. born October 4, 1895 - died February 20, 1953 and Henry Albert, born October 2, 1897. The house was built in 1838 by John McDowell.
Julius resided on his farm until his death August 28, 1935. Hulda remained on the farm until her death June 14, 1938. Their names were located in a Chemung County Obituary Index Listing as: Gehrke, Hulda B. death 6/14 /1938, date of obituary: June 19, 1938 and Gehrke, Julius F. death August 25, 1935, date of obituary: September 1, 1935.
Julius gave a parcel of his land for the use as a cemetery, which is known today as the Riverside Cemetery adjacent to his property. A deed was recorded in January 1938.
In 2013 Eileen Hanigan Barrett-Pizza and her sister had the opportunity to visit and tour the home of their Great Grandfather Julius F. Gehrke, in Chemung, New York. She captured many wonderful photos of the home's interior and exterior. What's even more incredible, she has allowed me to post these photos on this website. In her words, "Truly, I felt that I had come home". What an incredible experience and great feeling, to be sure. Thank you Eileen for your generosity.
Click on photo to enlarge it.