ERNEST married STELZRIEDE EMMA on 6 Aug 1902. EMMA was born in 1876; died in 1932; was buried in North Prairie Cemetery, Washington County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

1. GERLING FLORENCE

Notes:

Couple came to Hoyleton, IL c. July 30, 1868, married soon after. Fred, age 21; Friedericka, age 17. Retired from farming in 1919; moved into Hoyleton where they lived out their earthly life.

Arrived by ship "Weser" from Bremen, Germany, in New York July 25, 1868:

Friedr. Gerling, age 25, male, farmer (GRM44 - Prv/Vil)

with

Friedrike Dueker, age 20, female
Wilhelmine Dueker, age 18, female
Louise Dueker, age 16, female
Justine Dueker, age 9, female
Heinrich Dueker, age 7, male

Christian F. W. Gerling article from 1979 Washinton County History book.
Christian Friederich Wilhelm Gerling, known as Fred, was born on March 13, 1843 in Luttern Bauerschaft Haddenhausen, Preuss Minden, Deutschland.
Justina Wilhelmnina Friedericka Dueker, known as Friedericka, was boprn on October 6, 1846 at Minden, Bauerschaft Wolmerdingsen, Deutschland.
When the time came to sign up for military service, Fred left Germany for the United States with the Dueker family in 1868. Fred, Friedericka and her two sisters and one brother arrived at Hoyleton, Illinois in July 1868 at her sister's, Mrs. Fred Bartelsmeyer. Friedericka's mother and two children remained in Germany for a while due to her father's death just before they left Germany.
Fred and Friedericka were married on August 6, 1868 by Rev. G. Buehner at the Nashville Methodist parsonage. They had been raised as Lutherans, but later joined the Methodist Church and were members of the Bethel United Methodist Church at Hoyletonb most of their married life.
Fred and Friedericka lived on several area farms and then purchased a farm southeast of Hoyleton in Irvington Twp. near the White School. In 1919 they and daughter, Martha, moved to a home they had purchased in Hoyleton.
Grandfather and Grandmother Gerling never learned to speak or read Englishk, as they did not believe it necessary. However, in later years Grandfather told me how he wished he had. He loved to read and kept up with current events.
Eleven children were born to this union (see family sheets).
There are also numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren, etc., descended from this couple.
After 73 years of married life, Fred died on December 25, 1941, at 98, and Friedericka on August 26, 1942, at 95, leaving a rich Christian heritage. They are buried in the North Prairie cemetery near Hoyleton, Illinois.
By: Alice Marie Benton

CHRISTIAN married DUEKER JUSTINE WILHELMINE FRIEDERIEKE on 6 Aug 1868 in Nashville, Washington County, Illinois; By Rev. G. Buehner at Methodist Parsonage.. JUSTINE (daughter of DUEKER ERNST DIEDRICH AUGUST HEINRICH (HENRY) and RODEKOPF FRIEDERIEKE JUSTINE WILHELMINE) was born on 6 Oct 1846 in Wulferdinsen, Sundern 28, Kries Minden, Germany.; died on 26 Aug 1942; was buried in North Prairie Cemetery, Washington County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

CHRISTIAN married FREELSMEIER ANNA MARIE ILSABEIN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Baptized: April 9, 1820 Evangelisch, Bergkirchen, Lippe, Germany. (Not sure Lippe is correct.)

Ernst Heinrich Dueker: Lutheran - attended Bergkirchen, by Bad Geynhausen, Germany.

Born in Sunnern, Westfalen, Kreis Minden, Germany.

Intended coming to Illinois with his family in 1868 but died just before they were to sail. He was buried there and only 5 children sailed for America. Their mother, her youngest child Mary, and adopted son William remained a year coming in 1869. Fred Gerling came with the 5 children. Their oldest sister Caroline came over in 1860 at age 16.

Five children sailed with Fred Gerling on ship "Weser" from Bremen, Germany to New York arriving July 25, 1868.

Griedr. Gerling, age 25, male, farmer (GRM44 - PRV/VIL0

Friedrike Dueker, age 20, female
Wilhelmine Dueker, age 18, female
Louise Dueker, age 16, female
Justine Dueker, age 9, female
Heinrich Dueker, age 7, male

Dueker article from 1979 Washington County History book
Ernest Henry Dueker was born sometimes around 1820, in Preus-Minden, Westphalia, Deutschland. He was a stone mason by trade. His wife, Frederika Rodekopf, was born February 2, 1820, at Unterlube, Regierungs Bezirkt, Minden, Germany.
To this union nince children were born, two dying in infancy. the seven who grew to adulthood were: Caroline (Mrs. Fred Bartelsmeyer); Frederika (Mrs. Fred Gerling); Wilhemmia (Mrs. Ernest Quern, 2nd marriage. Mrs. August Schmale);Charlotte (Mrs. Karl Krueger); Henry; maria (Mrs. William Brink); and William (adopted son), Mrs. Uphoff.
In 1858 the Duekers were to set sail for America. Just before they were to set sail Ernest Henry, the father, died and was buried in the old country. Then, for some reason, his wife, was told she had to remain in Germany for one year. She kept the youngest children, Maria and William in Germany, and the other five children came to America with Fred Gerling, where they joined their sister Caroline, who came earlier to North Prairie.
The following year Frederika and her two children arrived. "Mother Dueker" made her home with the Gerlings until she died on February 28, 1880.
I was unable to find out if they came by way of New Orleans, or by way of Philadelphis, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Mattoon and Centralia. The latter was a route used by many in the 1860's. We do know that they came by train to Centralia. Incidentally, Centralia was just seven years old at that time.
Henry, brother of Caroline, was nine years old when he arrived in this country. From the time of his arrival until he was sixteen he lived in the home of his sister, Caroline. William settled in Kansas. The family has lost trace of this branch of family.
Soon after his sixteenth birthday, Henry went to Kansas City, Missouri to learn the trade of a butcher, which he was, until his marriage to Elizabeth Huck, after which he purchased land for farming. It was to be known as the Dueker home place in North Prairie and today his grandson Warren Dueker is still farming there. To this union were born six children. Walter, born March 9, 1886, married Ida Bierman, died 1950; Dorathea, born August 27, 1888, married Elmer Hake, died January 13, 1942; Agnes, born June 30, 1891, married Rev. Carl Opp; Lillian, born January 13, 1894, married Arthur Rixmann; Arthur, born May 26, 1897, married Louise Garnholz, died January 5, 1966; and George, born January 24, 1903, married Lucella Hake, died April 31, 1967.
After their marriage, Arthur and Louise resided on the home place where Arthur cont9inued with his chosen occupation. To the union was born three children. Warren, born April 5, 1923, married Arlene Hagebusch; Bertram, born April 4, 1925, married Doris Bedel; Mary Louise, born August 10, 1927, married Dean Haege.
Bertram and Doris were married at North Prairie Church by Rev. Gerald Weiss. After their marriage, Bertram became a carpenter and they took up residency in Nashville. To their union were born two children: Douglas, born April 11, 1949, married Arlene Brune; Barbara, born May 14, 1953, married Thomas Reel.
Douglas and Arlene were married at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville. Douglas is a professional mechanical engineer. Douglas and Arlene reside in Powell, Tennessee. To this union was born a son Chadwick. Barbara and Thomas have two sons Ryan and Sean.
May this family history be a small memorial to those ancestors and dear relatives who have gone before us. By the example of their noble lives, may we in turn be worthy.
By: Mrs. Bertram Dueker
From 1979 Washington County History book

ERNST married RODEKOPF FRIEDERIEKE JUSTINE WILHELMINE on 5 Dec 1841 in Bergkirchen, Germany. FRIEDERIEKE (daughter of RODEKOPF CHRISTIAN MORITZ and HUCK ANNA SOPHIE LOUISE) was born on 2 Feb 1820 in Unterlubbe, Number 8, Kries Minden, Germany; date may be 2/11/1820.; died on 28 Feb 1880 in Irvington Twp., Washington County, Ilinois; Fred Gerling's, Stephen Farm, Buried North Prairie Cemetery, Washington Co., IL.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Baptized: September 6, 1778 Evangelisch, Bergkirchen, Lippe, Germany. (Not sure Lippe is correct.)

JOHANN married HEIDENREICH ANNE-MARIE ELISABETH on 10 Nov 1799. ANNE-MARIE was born on 20 May 1775; died on 5 Jan 1845. [Group Sheet]

CHRISTIAN married HUCK ANNA SOPHIE LOUISE on 24 Jul 1816. ANNA (daughter of HUCK JOHANN HEINRICH and SUDHEMMERN ANNA MARIE ELISABETH RIEPE) was born on 4 Jul 1784 in Unterlubbe, Number 1, Kries Minden, Germany.; died on 28 Nov 1852 in Unterlubbe, Number 8, Kries Minden, Germany.. [Group Sheet]