Gerhard Harms was for many years a substantial businessman of Washburn, Illinois where he spent the greater part of his life as a carpenter and proprietor of a successful construction business. He was largely a self made man after emigrating from Wilhelmshaven, Germany. His career eventuated in success because of his untiring industry and good management, and at his death he not only left behind an estate, but a heritage of an honored name.
Gerhard Harms was born in Wilhelmshaven Germany 1869 the son of Bernard and Maria Blackhoff Harms. When he was twenty four years of age he emigrated to the United States and arrived at New York City 30 Dec 1893 on the SS Ems. He first settled in Carroll, IA with his sister Margeretha. He then moved to Washburn, IL to work as a carpenter for Henry Fitschen where his capital was acquired through thrift and the strictest economy. He later became a contractor who built some of the prominent buildings in Washburn. Under his able and industrious direction the construction business developed into one of the city's successful enterprises. He lost a his business during the great depression.
Gerhard Harms married Anna Meta Fitschen, a native of Germany, on 9 April 1902 in Washburn. They had seven children: Francis (1903-1996), Lydia (1905-1968), Eileen (1908-1992), Julia (1910-1993), William (1912-1989), Adelbert (1915-1993), and Ruth (1920- ). Anna Meta Fitschen died on 6 February 1936 and is buried in Linn Mt. Vernon cemetery in Washburn.
Gerhard Harms was interested in civic affairs and was a devout member of the Lutheran Church. He died on 26 October 1935 and is buried in Linn Mt. Vernon cemetery in Washburn.
Biography courtesy of Find A Grave member MarkJ.
Gerhard Harms was born in Wilhelmshaven Germany 1869 the son of Bernard and Maria Blackhoff Harms. When he was twenty four years of age he emigrated to the United States and arrived at New York City 30 Dec 1893 on the SS Ems. He first settled in Carroll, IA with his sister Margeretha. He then moved to Washburn, IL to work as a carpenter for Henry Fitschen where his capital was acquired through thrift and the strictest economy. He later became a contractor who built some of the prominent buildings in Washburn. Under his able and industrious direction the construction business developed into one of the city's successful enterprises. He lost a his business during the great depression.
Gerhard Harms married Anna Meta Fitschen, a native of Germany, on 9 April 1902 in Washburn. They had seven children: Francis (1903-1996), Lydia (1905-1968), Eileen (1908-1992), Julia (1910-1993), William (1912-1989), Adelbert (1915-1993), and Ruth (1920- ). Anna Meta Fitschen died on 6 February 1936 and is buried in Linn Mt. Vernon cemetery in Washburn.
Gerhard Harms was interested in civic affairs and was a devout member of the Lutheran Church. He died on 26 October 1935 and is buried in Linn Mt. Vernon cemetery in Washburn.
Biography courtesy of Find A Grave member MarkJ.
Gerhard Harms was for many years a substantial businessman of Washburn, Illinois where he spent the greater part of his life as a carpenter and proprietor of a successful construction business. He was largely a self made man after emigrating from Wilhelmshaven, Germany. His career eventuated in success because of his untiring industry and good management, and at his death he not only left behind an estate, but a heritage of an honored name.
Gerhard Harms was born in Wilhelmshaven Germany 1869 the son of Bernard and Maria Blackhoff Harms. When he was twenty four years of age he emigrated to the United States and arrived at New York City 30 Dec 1893 on the SS Ems. He first settled in Carroll, IA with his sister Margeretha. He then moved to Washburn, IL to work as a carpenter for Henry Fitschen where his capital was acquired through thrift and the strictest economy. He later became a contractor who built some of the prominent buildings in Washburn. Under his able and industrious direction the construction business developed into one of the city's successful enterprises. He lost a his business during the great depression.
Gerhard Harms married Anna Meta Fitschen, a native of Germany, on 9 April 1902 in Washburn. They had seven children: Francis (1903-1996), Lydia (1905-1968), Eileen (1908-1992), Julia (1910-1993), William (1912-1989), Adelbert (1915-1993), and Ruth (1920- ). Anna Meta Fitschen died on 6 February 1936 and is buried in Linn Mt. Vernon cemetery in Washburn.
Gerhard Harms was interested in civic affairs and was a devout member of the Lutheran Church. He died on 26 October 1935 and is buried in Linn Mt. Vernon cemetery in Washburn.
Biography courtesy of Find A Grave member MarkJ.
Gerhard Harms was born in Wilhelmshaven Germany 1869 the son of Bernard and Maria Blackhoff Harms. When he was twenty four years of age he emigrated to the United States and arrived at New York City 30 Dec 1893 on the SS Ems. He first settled in Carroll, IA with his sister Margeretha. He then moved to Washburn, IL to work as a carpenter for Henry Fitschen where his capital was acquired through thrift and the strictest economy. He later became a contractor who built some of the prominent buildings in Washburn. Under his able and industrious direction the construction business developed into one of the city's successful enterprises. He lost a his business during the great depression.
Gerhard Harms married Anna Meta Fitschen, a native of Germany, on 9 April 1902 in Washburn. They had seven children: Francis (1903-1996), Lydia (1905-1968), Eileen (1908-1992), Julia (1910-1993), William (1912-1989), Adelbert (1915-1993), and Ruth (1920- ). Anna Meta Fitschen died on 6 February 1936 and is buried in Linn Mt. Vernon cemetery in Washburn.
Gerhard Harms was interested in civic affairs and was a devout member of the Lutheran Church. He died on 26 October 1935 and is buried in Linn Mt. Vernon cemetery in Washburn.
Biography courtesy of Find A Grave member MarkJ.
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