First Generation

1. Gottlieb Johann Friedrich GEHRKE¹ was born about 1818 in Preussen (Prussia).² The date of Gottlieb's birth and death are not known. He was probably about 21 years of age when he was married. He may have died shortly after his fourth child, Henrietta, was born in about 1864. The place of his burial is not known. He died about 1864 at the age of 46.^2,3

Gottlieb Johann Friedrich GEHRKE and Anna Christine WEGNER were married in 1839.^2,3,4 Anna Christine Wegner, second born in Golaz, Wangroweic governmental seat in the province of Posen, Prussia near Bromberg. She married Gottlieb John Gehrke about 1839.

The Gehrke's settled on a farm near Tunnel Hill #2, 2 1/2 miles from Wilton, Monroe county Wis. They were neighbors of their niece and nephew Ottelia Augusta Zimmerman and Gottlieb Herman Hoffman.

Anna Christine was a sister of Marie Wegner Hoffman; John William Wegner; and Ernstine Augusta Wegner Friese. They were prosperous farmers and attended the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ridgeville, Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, Wis. After the father, Gottlieb John Gehrke, died the farm was run by the oldest son John August.

To this union four children were born, namely, John August, Ludwig Lucius " Loui ", William John and Henrietta Ernstine.

. Anna Christine WEGNER¹, daughter of (Unknown) WEGNER and (Unknown) UNKNOWN (WEGNER), was born on 10 January 1818 in Golaz, Posen Province, Preussen (Prussia).^3,5,6 near Bromberg. (This is a map of Posen.)

(Her surname is spelled "Waegner" in the church marriage records of her son Wilhelm and daughter Henriette, and as "Wegener" in the church record of her death and burial.)

(Her death record listed her age as 80, indicating a birth year of 1813.) She appeared in the census in 1880 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷ She was living with her son Ludwig.

. She died on 10 December 1893 at the age of 75 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^3,6 Anna was buried on 11 December 1893 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^3,6 in the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Gottlieb Johann Friedrich GEHRKE and Anna Christine WEGNER had the following children: