Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


JACOB F. GERKENS, 
 
capitalist, 9 Sotello street, Los Angeles, was born in Holstein, Germany, 
January 12, 1842. His parents emigrated to America during his early childhood 
and settled in Erie County, New York, near Buffalo. When only sixteen years of 
age the subject of this sketch started with ox teams across the plains for 
California. He came direct to Los Angeles and for several years was engaged in 
teaming and freighting here. He next went to Yuma and ran a ferry one year, and 
again engaged in freighting and carried on the business until 1865. At that time 
he was employed by Robert Burnett as foreman on his ranch, continuing as such 
for two years. During this time, January 9, 1867, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Isadora Carabajal, a native of Los Angeles. From that time until 1871 he 
was successfully engaged in sheep-raising. His next venture was in the grocery 
business, on San Fernando street, at the junction of Downey avenue. He had been 
twice elected a member of the city council, and in 1877 sold out his store, 
having accepted the appointment of chief of police of Los Angeles. He held that 
office one year and was also assistant chief of police two years. For six years 
he held an office under the city government. Mr. Gerkens never went to school in 
his life, but as a result of his self-education he can speak and write three 
different languages. Mr. and Mrs. Gerkens have had three children, two of whom 
survive: Charles F. and Margurette. The death of their daughter Annie occurred 
May 29, 1889.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 746
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler