HISTORY OF GERKING FLAT AS TOLD BY 93 YEAR OLD PIONEER
by A.W. Nelson
The Athena Press 2-21-41
To be in the ninety-third year of life - much of it under frontier, primitive circumstances where life was always the hard way - in full possession of all faculties and able to help herself and "cruise" over considerable area with surprising ease, are some of the happy circumstances of which Mrs. Jonathan Napoleon Bonaparte Gerking is able to boast. Currently, Mrs. Gerking is visiting at the home of her son, George, on Gerking Flat four miles from Athena, which she saw as a bride in 1872. There the roving reporter interviewed Mrs. Gerking one day last week.
During the creative decades in which the fertile lands about Athena were undergoing the change from luxuriant rye grass to domestic wheat fields, Mrs. Gerking endured the hardships of pioneering. Later, about 30 years ago, in fact, she moved to Bend where her home is, except on such occasions as when she goes visiting her considerable brood. But Gerking Flat and the Gerking family are inseparably associated.
When Mrs. Gerking came to Gerking Flat, her father-in-law, late farmer, pioneer and preacher who contributed immeasurably to the development of agriculture and culture in the Athena belt - had been in the fertile little "draw" which still bears his name, for a period of a year or so.
Mrs. Gerking crossed the plains in 1862 with the famous and enormous Iowa train which for the most part, settled in Grande Ronde valley. Old Town, now South LaGrande, was but a hamlet then, yet Mrs. Gerking, who was then Lucy Pottorff, remained there for some time. Later her people, the late Mr. and Mrs. George Pottorff, moved to the Willamette valley, settling near Silverton. There Lucy married J.N.B. Gerking, and the young couple headed for what later on came to be known as the Athena district.
The Gerkings raised eight children and lost two. The living are: Otis, Salem; Minnie Saylor, Hermiston; George, who still lives on the Gerking homestead where he was born;Charles,Pendleton; Dean, Pendleton; Fay Becker, Bend; Grover, Bend; Ray, Bend. Mrs. Gerking and her son, George, vividly recalled the Indian troubles prior to 1890. Word came to the Gerking Flat district by messenger one day that the Indians were coming, burning everything in their path. George was a two year old
at the time, clothed in a dress. Surrounding the Gerking homestead was a great deal of tall rye grass. Into the thickest of this fled the family, much terror stricken. In the excitement of the night spent in the grass, young George lost his dress by some unknown means and has been the butt of jibes about that ever since. The next day the women and children were hurriedly moved to Weston where, Mrs. Gerking remembers, a barricade was hastily thrown together by the men. Nothing further came of the Indian scare.
The old homestead lies on one of many Indian trails from the Umatilla river to Wallula and Walla Walla, but as the Gerkings remember it, the main trail from the Umatilla to Wallula was in Sand Hollow, about a mile away, and there, it is definitely believed, is where the Whitmans crossed the last stretch of their trek to the Columbia river at Wallula. About the time Mrs. Gerking reached the flat her father-in-law had been serving the few settlers in a spiritual sense with Sunday meetings in Alkali flat schoolhouse. Rawhide schoolhouse, and other primitive school buildings.
In 1871 these settlers from Adams to Weston had been loosely banded as members of the Christian church, but by 1873 formal organization was perfected and the present Christian church at Athena was founded. Mrs. Gerking is the only surviving charter member of that church-minded group of pioneers. It is interesting to note that a few Sundays ago she spent the entire day in the Athena church, attending services and social gatherings. Not so bad, for a woman nearly 93 years of age. Her husband, now deceased, was the first clerk of that
body.
The historic Alkali flat schoolhouse, which served so prominently as a church, too, was subsequently moved to Athena and is now a part of the York Dell residence.
During the conversation with this fine specimen of pioneer motherhood the interviewer discovered she had a rare sense of humor. One of the recent episodes that gave her a tremendous "kick" and excuse for many a hearty chuckle, had occurred a few days prior. A Pendleton newspaper man, hearing of her unusual age, earnestly asked George Gerking if his mother could "walk and talk." Indeed she can do either or both with amazing thoroughness.
Mrs. Gerking is "fixing" to return to her Bend home soon, having had a pleasant visit with son George and his wife midst the surroundings of her early life.
Before the interview was concluded the Gerking clan pointed out to the interviewer an historic structure on the premises. It is the birthplace of Mrs. Blanche Chamberlain Sprague. It is no bigger than a good sized kitchen, and originally served as a photograph studio on wheels. After the little structure
had given Oregon its present "first lady" it was subsequently removed from its wheel base and now occupies a place of honor in the Gerking yard, well preserved and cared for to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
by A.W. Nelson
The Athena Press 2-21-41
To be in the ninety-third year of life - much of it under frontier, primitive circumstances where life was always the hard way - in full possession of all faculties and able to help herself and "cruise" over considerable area with surprising ease, are some of the happy circumstances of which Mrs. Jonathan Napoleon Bonaparte Gerking is able to boast. Currently, Mrs. Gerking is visiting at the home of her son, George, on Gerking Flat four miles from Athena, which she saw as a bride in 1872. There the roving reporter interviewed Mrs. Gerking one day last week.
During the creative decades in which the fertile lands about Athena were undergoing the change from luxuriant rye grass to domestic wheat fields, Mrs. Gerking endured the hardships of pioneering. Later, about 30 years ago, in fact, she moved to Bend where her home is, except on such occasions as when she goes visiting her considerable brood. But Gerking Flat and the Gerking family are inseparably associated.
When Mrs. Gerking came to Gerking Flat, her father-in-law, late farmer, pioneer and preacher who contributed immeasurably to the development of agriculture and culture in the Athena belt - had been in the fertile little "draw" which still bears his name, for a period of a year or so.
Mrs. Gerking crossed the plains in 1862 with the famous and enormous Iowa train which for the most part, settled in Grande Ronde valley. Old Town, now South LaGrande, was but a hamlet then, yet Mrs. Gerking, who was then Lucy Pottorff, remained there for some time. Later her people, the late Mr. and Mrs. George Pottorff, moved to the Willamette valley, settling near Silverton. There Lucy married J.N.B. Gerking, and the young couple headed for what later on came to be known as the Athena district.
The Gerkings raised eight children and lost two. The living are: Otis, Salem; Minnie Saylor, Hermiston; George, who still lives on the Gerking homestead where he was born;Charles,Pendleton; Dean, Pendleton; Fay Becker, Bend; Grover, Bend; Ray, Bend. Mrs. Gerking and her son, George, vividly recalled the Indian troubles prior to 1890. Word came to the Gerking Flat district by messenger one day that the Indians were coming, burning everything in their path. George was a two year old
at the time, clothed in a dress. Surrounding the Gerking homestead was a great deal of tall rye grass. Into the thickest of this fled the family, much terror stricken. In the excitement of the night spent in the grass, young George lost his dress by some unknown means and has been the butt of jibes about that ever since. The next day the women and children were hurriedly moved to Weston where, Mrs. Gerking remembers, a barricade was hastily thrown together by the men. Nothing further came of the Indian scare.
The old homestead lies on one of many Indian trails from the Umatilla river to Wallula and Walla Walla, but as the Gerkings remember it, the main trail from the Umatilla to Wallula was in Sand Hollow, about a mile away, and there, it is definitely believed, is where the Whitmans crossed the last stretch of their trek to the Columbia river at Wallula. About the time Mrs. Gerking reached the flat her father-in-law had been serving the few settlers in a spiritual sense with Sunday meetings in Alkali flat schoolhouse. Rawhide schoolhouse, and other primitive school buildings.
In 1871 these settlers from Adams to Weston had been loosely banded as members of the Christian church, but by 1873 formal organization was perfected and the present Christian church at Athena was founded. Mrs. Gerking is the only surviving charter member of that church-minded group of pioneers. It is interesting to note that a few Sundays ago she spent the entire day in the Athena church, attending services and social gatherings. Not so bad, for a woman nearly 93 years of age. Her husband, now deceased, was the first clerk of that
body.
The historic Alkali flat schoolhouse, which served so prominently as a church, too, was subsequently moved to Athena and is now a part of the York Dell residence.
During the conversation with this fine specimen of pioneer motherhood the interviewer discovered she had a rare sense of humor. One of the recent episodes that gave her a tremendous "kick" and excuse for many a hearty chuckle, had occurred a few days prior. A Pendleton newspaper man, hearing of her unusual age, earnestly asked George Gerking if his mother could "walk and talk." Indeed she can do either or both with amazing thoroughness.
Mrs. Gerking is "fixing" to return to her Bend home soon, having had a pleasant visit with son George and his wife midst the surroundings of her early life.
Before the interview was concluded the Gerking clan pointed out to the interviewer an historic structure on the premises. It is the birthplace of Mrs. Blanche Chamberlain Sprague. It is no bigger than a good sized kitchen, and originally served as a photograph studio on wheels. After the little structure
had given Oregon its present "first lady" it was subsequently removed from its wheel base and now occupies a place of honor in the Gerking yard, well preserved and cared for to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
HISTORY OF GERKING FLAT AS TOLD BY 93 YEAR OLD PIONEER
by A.W. Nelson
The Athena Press 2-21-41
To be in the ninety-third year of life - much of it under frontier, primitive circumstances where life was always the hard way - in full possession of all faculties and able to help herself and "cruise" over considerable area with surprising ease, are some of the happy circumstances of which Mrs. Jonathan Napoleon Bonaparte Gerking is able to boast. Currently, Mrs. Gerking is visiting at the home of her son, George, on Gerking Flat four miles from Athena, which she saw as a bride in 1872. There the roving reporter interviewed Mrs. Gerking one day last week.
During the creative decades in which the fertile lands about Athena were undergoing the change from luxuriant rye grass to domestic wheat fields, Mrs. Gerking endured the hardships of pioneering. Later, about 30 years ago, in fact, she moved to Bend where her home is, except on such occasions as when she goes visiting her considerable brood. But Gerking Flat and the Gerking family are inseparably associated.
When Mrs. Gerking came to Gerking Flat, her father-in-law, late farmer, pioneer and preacher who contributed immeasurably to the development of agriculture and culture in the Athena belt - had been in the fertile little "draw" which still bears his name, for a period of a year or so.
Mrs. Gerking crossed the plains in 1862 with the famous and enormous Iowa train which for the most part, settled in Grande Ronde valley. Old Town, now South LaGrande, was but a hamlet then, yet Mrs. Gerking, who was then Lucy Pottorff, remained there for some time. Later her people, the late Mr. and Mrs. George Pottorff, moved to the Willamette valley, settling near Silverton. There Lucy married J.N.B. Gerking, and the young couple headed for what later on came to be known as the Athena district.
The Gerkings raised eight children and lost two. The living are: Otis, Salem; Minnie Saylor, Hermiston; George, who still lives on the Gerking homestead where he was born;Charles,Pendleton; Dean, Pendleton; Fay Becker, Bend; Grover, Bend; Ray, Bend. Mrs. Gerking and her son, George, vividly recalled the Indian troubles prior to 1890. Word came to the Gerking Flat district by messenger one day that the Indians were coming, burning everything in their path. George was a two year old
at the time, clothed in a dress. Surrounding the Gerking homestead was a great deal of tall rye grass. Into the thickest of this fled the family, much terror stricken. In the excitement of the night spent in the grass, young George lost his dress by some unknown means and has been the butt of jibes about that ever since. The next day the women and children were hurriedly moved to Weston where, Mrs. Gerking remembers, a barricade was hastily thrown together by the men. Nothing further came of the Indian scare.
The old homestead lies on one of many Indian trails from the Umatilla river to Wallula and Walla Walla, but as the Gerkings remember it, the main trail from the Umatilla to Wallula was in Sand Hollow, about a mile away, and there, it is definitely believed, is where the Whitmans crossed the last stretch of their trek to the Columbia river at Wallula. About the time Mrs. Gerking reached the flat her father-in-law had been serving the few settlers in a spiritual sense with Sunday meetings in Alkali flat schoolhouse. Rawhide schoolhouse, and other primitive school buildings.
In 1871 these settlers from Adams to Weston had been loosely banded as members of the Christian church, but by 1873 formal organization was perfected and the present Christian church at Athena was founded. Mrs. Gerking is the only surviving charter member of that church-minded group of pioneers. It is interesting to note that a few Sundays ago she spent the entire day in the Athena church, attending services and social gatherings. Not so bad, for a woman nearly 93 years of age. Her husband, now deceased, was the first clerk of that
body.
The historic Alkali flat schoolhouse, which served so prominently as a church, too, was subsequently moved to Athena and is now a part of the York Dell residence.
During the conversation with this fine specimen of pioneer motherhood the interviewer discovered she had a rare sense of humor. One of the recent episodes that gave her a tremendous "kick" and excuse for many a hearty chuckle, had occurred a few days prior. A Pendleton newspaper man, hearing of her unusual age, earnestly asked George Gerking if his mother could "walk and talk." Indeed she can do either or both with amazing thoroughness.
Mrs. Gerking is "fixing" to return to her Bend home soon, having had a pleasant visit with son George and his wife midst the surroundings of her early life.
Before the interview was concluded the Gerking clan pointed out to the interviewer an historic structure on the premises. It is the birthplace of Mrs. Blanche Chamberlain Sprague. It is no bigger than a good sized kitchen, and originally served as a photograph studio on wheels. After the little structure
had given Oregon its present "first lady" it was subsequently removed from its wheel base and now occupies a place of honor in the Gerking yard, well preserved and cared for to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
by A.W. Nelson
The Athena Press 2-21-41
To be in the ninety-third year of life - much of it under frontier, primitive circumstances where life was always the hard way - in full possession of all faculties and able to help herself and "cruise" over considerable area with surprising ease, are some of the happy circumstances of which Mrs. Jonathan Napoleon Bonaparte Gerking is able to boast. Currently, Mrs. Gerking is visiting at the home of her son, George, on Gerking Flat four miles from Athena, which she saw as a bride in 1872. There the roving reporter interviewed Mrs. Gerking one day last week.
During the creative decades in which the fertile lands about Athena were undergoing the change from luxuriant rye grass to domestic wheat fields, Mrs. Gerking endured the hardships of pioneering. Later, about 30 years ago, in fact, she moved to Bend where her home is, except on such occasions as when she goes visiting her considerable brood. But Gerking Flat and the Gerking family are inseparably associated.
When Mrs. Gerking came to Gerking Flat, her father-in-law, late farmer, pioneer and preacher who contributed immeasurably to the development of agriculture and culture in the Athena belt - had been in the fertile little "draw" which still bears his name, for a period of a year or so.
Mrs. Gerking crossed the plains in 1862 with the famous and enormous Iowa train which for the most part, settled in Grande Ronde valley. Old Town, now South LaGrande, was but a hamlet then, yet Mrs. Gerking, who was then Lucy Pottorff, remained there for some time. Later her people, the late Mr. and Mrs. George Pottorff, moved to the Willamette valley, settling near Silverton. There Lucy married J.N.B. Gerking, and the young couple headed for what later on came to be known as the Athena district.
The Gerkings raised eight children and lost two. The living are: Otis, Salem; Minnie Saylor, Hermiston; George, who still lives on the Gerking homestead where he was born;Charles,Pendleton; Dean, Pendleton; Fay Becker, Bend; Grover, Bend; Ray, Bend. Mrs. Gerking and her son, George, vividly recalled the Indian troubles prior to 1890. Word came to the Gerking Flat district by messenger one day that the Indians were coming, burning everything in their path. George was a two year old
at the time, clothed in a dress. Surrounding the Gerking homestead was a great deal of tall rye grass. Into the thickest of this fled the family, much terror stricken. In the excitement of the night spent in the grass, young George lost his dress by some unknown means and has been the butt of jibes about that ever since. The next day the women and children were hurriedly moved to Weston where, Mrs. Gerking remembers, a barricade was hastily thrown together by the men. Nothing further came of the Indian scare.
The old homestead lies on one of many Indian trails from the Umatilla river to Wallula and Walla Walla, but as the Gerkings remember it, the main trail from the Umatilla to Wallula was in Sand Hollow, about a mile away, and there, it is definitely believed, is where the Whitmans crossed the last stretch of their trek to the Columbia river at Wallula. About the time Mrs. Gerking reached the flat her father-in-law had been serving the few settlers in a spiritual sense with Sunday meetings in Alkali flat schoolhouse. Rawhide schoolhouse, and other primitive school buildings.
In 1871 these settlers from Adams to Weston had been loosely banded as members of the Christian church, but by 1873 formal organization was perfected and the present Christian church at Athena was founded. Mrs. Gerking is the only surviving charter member of that church-minded group of pioneers. It is interesting to note that a few Sundays ago she spent the entire day in the Athena church, attending services and social gatherings. Not so bad, for a woman nearly 93 years of age. Her husband, now deceased, was the first clerk of that
body.
The historic Alkali flat schoolhouse, which served so prominently as a church, too, was subsequently moved to Athena and is now a part of the York Dell residence.
During the conversation with this fine specimen of pioneer motherhood the interviewer discovered she had a rare sense of humor. One of the recent episodes that gave her a tremendous "kick" and excuse for many a hearty chuckle, had occurred a few days prior. A Pendleton newspaper man, hearing of her unusual age, earnestly asked George Gerking if his mother could "walk and talk." Indeed she can do either or both with amazing thoroughness.
Mrs. Gerking is "fixing" to return to her Bend home soon, having had a pleasant visit with son George and his wife midst the surroundings of her early life.
Before the interview was concluded the Gerking clan pointed out to the interviewer an historic structure on the premises. It is the birthplace of Mrs. Blanche Chamberlain Sprague. It is no bigger than a good sized kitchen, and originally served as a photograph studio on wheels. After the little structure
had given Oregon its present "first lady" it was subsequently removed from its wheel base and now occupies a place of honor in the Gerking yard, well preserved and cared for to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
