Introduction
Henry Joseph Gerke was born March 7, 1878 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Matilda Gerke, who were both natives of Prussia. The elder Gerke worked as a carpenter, and was almost 50 when Henry was born. When the 1900 Census was taken, he lived with his widowed mother Matilda and sister Bertha at 222 McKean Street in South Philadelphia, working as an express driver.
Henry Gerke moved to Camden shortly after the 1900 Census. He married Ida Francis Cox around 1902, and a daughter, Matilda, was born in 1903. When the Census was taken in 1910, he was working as a pressman at the Victor Talking Machine Company factory. At that time the Gerke family, consisting of daughters Matilda and Martha, and son Henry Jr., lived at 135 Beckett Street in South Camden.
Henry Gerke became a member of the Camden Fire Department as early as September of 1918, and had by then moved to 619 South 4th Street. His wife’s uncle, George P. Cox, was then a battalion chief with the Camden Fire Department. When the 1920 Census was taken, Henry Gerke’s father-in-law and mother-in-law were living at that address as well. Father-in-law Wright Ellis Cox, who had been a Camden fire fighter in the 1890s and early 1900s and a Camden policeman as early as 1910, was then a sergeant with the Camden Police Department, and would remain with the police force through at least 1924. The Gerke family also had another son by then, Wright Ellis Gerke, born in 1919.
Henry J. Gerke moved to 2131 47th Street in Pennsauken shortly after the 1924 Camden City Directory was compiled, and remained there through July of 1942 before moving to Collingswood, New Jersey. His wife, Ida, passed in October of 1941. Henry Gerke was still with the Fire Department in 1942.
Henry Gerke’s oldest daughter, Matilda, married Edward R. MacDowell, a member of the Camden Fire Department. He served as Chief of Department from 1959 until his retirement in 1965. Matilda MacDowell passed away on November 19, 2004.
Henry Gerke’s son, Second Lieutenant Wright E. Gerke, was killed in action over Germany in August of 1943. Henry Gerke died on April 15, 1945.
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Camden Post-Telegram —
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way Lead the Grand March of Republican Club
Latest Dances on Program
Despite the stormy weather Turner Hall was crowded last night, when the Third Ward Republican Club held its first annual dress ball. The affair was a complete success and the grand march was one of the prettiest ever held in the Verein auditorium.
It was after 10 o’clock when the grand march took place. It was led by Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way. The second couple were Councilman and Mrs. A. Benjamin Sparks. Following them were Councilman and Mrs. William H. Hall and Freeholder and Mrs. John T. Rodan. The marchers formed the figure “three” and the letter “W.” The march concluded with the couples sixteen to each file.
The hall was handsomely decorated in the national and municipal colors. There were thirty-one numbers to the program. Rushton’s orchestra furnished an excellent program. Among the numbers were the fox trot, one-step, caprice, two-step, hesitation, waltz, lancers and redowa.
The grand conductor was J. Edward Way and Councilman Sparks was assistant grand conductor. The members of the various committees to whose efforts the success of the ball was due were as follows:
Floor—Wm. H. Hall, Harry Hertline, Walter J. Stanton, John T. Rodan, Jesse Hillman, Lemuel J. Toy.
Door—Jesse Smith, chairman; Robert Whitley, Morris Steelman, Wm. Elberson, Samuel S. Bacon; officers, Albert Keaser, Harry Miller, Frank Smith.
Reception—John S. Roberts, chairman; William M. Fithian, W. J. A. Stanton, Julius R. Schaaf, George Cox, Edward Delacroix, Robert J. Garrison, Horace Hewlings, Frank Knitter, Sr., George Murray, Harry Selby, Harry C. Sharp, Robert Schroeder, James Vickers, Edwin D. Steen, William Horay, Clarence H. Thorn, Joseph H. Thorn, Joseph Croasdale, Wright Cox, Frank S. Fithian, George F. Hammond, Howard T. Harris, Frank Knitter, Jr., Albert J. Meyer, Harry Stowe, William Selby, Harry Vliet, H. P. Toy; printing and press committee, Wesley J. Stanton, Jesse Hillman.
Refreshments—Walter Madden, chairman; Moore B. Garrison, C. L. Wendell, William H. Dill, Charles Errickson, George Bowman, Edwin Fields, William Hartman, Ephraim Husted, Frank S. Ireton, Thomas Madden, Harry Pearce, Charles Smith, John Reid B. Borowakey, Charles Weaver, James Monohan, C. S. Woodward, George Madura, C. Allen Lloyd, Edward Livermore, William G. Finley, Henry Gercke, Benjamin C. Horan, Augustus Jans, Clarence Madden, James J. McDermott, George Schu, John McCarry, Edward Carey, James Millman, Thomas Dickinson, M. J. Riley, James Tivers.
The officers of the club are are [sic] as follows: President, A. B. Sparks; vice president, Wm. M. Fithian; second vice president, Elwin D. Steen; recording secretary, W. J. A. Stanton; financial secretary, John T. Rodan; treasurer, John S. Roberts; trustees, Julius R. Schaaf, Morris Steelman, Clarence R. Thorn.
Here and There in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association has elected these officers: President, Daniel Leach; vice presidents, William Walton and Howard Curry, Jr.; financial secretary, Horace Cairns; recording secretary, John Plum; treasurer, Harry Gerke; trustees, Andrew Miller; State Representative, William Walton.
These officers have been elected by the Associated Charities: President, William L. Cooper; vice presidents, Charles K. Haddon, Mrs. Sarah M. Lacy; secretary, Miss Abbie Davall; treasurer, Elias Davis.
Theodore Sipe, 5 years old, of 405 Market street, is in Cooper Hospital under observation, it being thought he swallowed a marble.
World War I Draft Card
REGISTRATION CARD No. 791
1. Name in full: Henry Joseph Gerke, Age: 40 2. Home address: 619 South 4th St., Camden, N.J. 4. Date of birth: March 7th, 1879 5. Citizenship: Natural born 6. Where were you born?: Philadelphia, PA, U.S. 7. Present occupation: Foreman 8. Employed by: City of Camden, Camden, N.J. 10. Nearest relative: Wife, Ida Francis Gerke, 619 S. 4th St., Camden, N.J.
Signature: Henry Joseph Gerke
REGISTRAR’S REPORT
Height: Tall; Build: Medium; Disabilities: Perfect
Date of Registration: September 12, 1918 Local Board for Division No. 1, City of Camden, New Jersey
REGISTRATION CARD No. 791
1. Name in full: Henry Joseph Gerke, Age: 40
2. Home address: 619 South 4th St., Camden, N.J.
4. Date of birth: March 7th, 1879
5. Citizenship: Natural born
6. Where were you born?: Philadelphia, PA, U.S.
7. Present occupation: Foreman
8. Employed by: City of Camden, Camden, N.J.
10. Nearest relative: Wife, Ida Francis Gerke, 619 S. 4th St., Camden, N.J.
Signature: Henry Joseph Gerke
REGISTRAR’S REPORT
Height: Tall; Build: Medium; Disabilities: Perfect
Date of Registration: September 12, 1918
Local Board for Division No. 1, City of Camden, New Jersey
World War II Draft Card
REGISTRATION CARD (Men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897)
Serial Number: 2141 1. Name: Henry Joseph Gerke, Sr. 2. Place of Residence: 2131-47th St., Pennsauken, Camden, N.J. 5. Age: 64; Date of Birth: March 7, 1878 6. Place of Birth: Phila., PA 7. Person who will always know your address: Mrs. M. MacDowell, 1308 Merrimac Rd., Fairview, Camden, N.J. 8. Employer: City of Camden 9. Place of Employment: Fire Dept., Camden, N.J.
Signature: Henry J. Gerke Sr.
REGISTRATION CARD (Men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897)
Serial Number: 2141
1. Name: Henry Joseph Gerke, Sr.
2. Place of Residence: 2131-47th St., Pennsauken, Camden, N.J.
5. Age: 64; Date of Birth: March 7, 1878
6. Place of Birth: Phila., PA
7. Person who will always know your address: Mrs. M. MacDowell, 1308 Merrimac Rd., Fairview, Camden, N.J.
8. Employer: City of Camden
9. Place of Employment: Fire Dept., Camden, N.J.
Signature: Henry J. Gerke Sr.
Gerke Family Plot
Bethel Cemetery, Pennsauken, New Jersey
Gerke Family Plot — Bethel Cemetery, Pennsauken, New Jersey