MINUTES OF THE GERKING FAMILY MEETING
August 9, 1992
Forest Home Stock Farm, Estacada, Oregon
Hosts: Margaret Shibley and Leonora Shearer
Following the usual great potluck meal, President Martha Wells called
the 1992 meeting of the Gerking Family Association to order a little
after 1:00 p.m. Forty-seven Gerking family members signed the guest
register, an increase of fifteen over the 1991 reunion. It was noted
that Marvin Dreske and his entire family—including children and
grandchildren—were present.
Special Guest
Martha introduced Dick Nokes, husband of Evelyn Junkin Nokes, as a
special guest. Dick is the author of Columbia’s River: The Voyages of
Robert Gray, 1787-1793, published by the Washington State Historical
Society in honor of the 200th anniversary of Gray’s discovery of the
Columbia River. Dick also formerly was editor of the Oregonian
newspaper. Dick talked briefly about the contents of his book. He had
books available for sale and offered to autograph them for buyers.
Sharing
John Beck, grandson of James Gerking, announced that after many years of searching he has found James’ grave.
Florence Bowe told the group that 1992 is a special year because it was
130 years ago that the Gerkings headed west from Missouri because
Jonathan Rice Gerking didn’t want his family broken up by the war.
December 17, 1992 would be Jonathan Rice’s the 170th birthday. Florence
said that because the Gerkings weren’t much for writing, little in the
way of written material about the family survives, and she appealed for
anyone who has heard stories from their parents or grandparents to
write them down and pass them on.
Florence also said that next year will be the 150th anniversary of the
beginning of the Oregon Trail migration. She and Larry spent recently
three fascinating days in Baker City at the new Oregon Trail
Interpretive Center and she had brought pictures and souvenirs to share
with the group. She urged that family consider doing something special
in 1993 to honor its pioneer heritage.
Lola Montague Graves noted that she will be 86 years old this month,
and she thanked Florence for providing her with an article about the
schooner George H. Montague.
Elwin Shibley said he feels the Gerking family used the Barlow Pass
Trail rather than the Columbia river as it headed for the Willamette
Valley. That means they would have passed not far from the very spot
the family is meeting today. He also noted how the Coxes, Shibleys and
Gerkings all followed one another. Elwin is a member of the
Oregon-California Trail Association and is in charge of this section.
He said he would be happy to give free tours to the family.
Maude Wells read a letter written by Martha J. Scott at age 86 which
involved the Waggoners and Scotts going from North Carolina to Sullivan
Co., Missouri.
Leonora Shearer said she believes James Gerking moved around quite a
bit and thinks he spent time in Humboldt Co., CA. She said James was
really a woodsman, although he also acted as a circuit rider and had a
deer-herding dog.
Business Meeting
Martha said that because of the significance of the 150th anniversary
of the Oregon Trail it would be nice if next year’s reunion could be
somewhere in Eastern Oregon. Lola Graves invited the family to meet in
Richland, Oregon, about 46 miles east of Baker City. Richland has a
community park which is maintained by the Grange, and it would be an
ideal place to meet. It was moved and seconded that the Gerking Family
accept Lola’s invitation and meet next August in Richland. The motion
passed unanimously.
No formal election of officers was held; instead the group affirmed its
desire for Martha Wells to remain as President, Florence Bowe to remain
as Historian, and Beth Johnston to remain as Secretary-Treasurer and
Newsletter Editor.
Beth announced that copies of Florence’s Gerking Family in America had
completely sold out shortly before reunion time. The group discussed
the pros and cons of doing a second printing, which probably would be
more expensive than the first one. It was decided to keep track of
requests to see if there were enough to justify the expense.
No decision was made as to the oldest Gerking attending this reunion.
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lackland, coming from Rockville, MD, and Ruby
Ifverson, coming from Honolulu, tied for attending from farthest away.
The youngest person present could not be determined because all the
children were down at the swimming hole!
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Johnston
Secretary
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