LYON COUNTY GENEALOGY

Larchwood Centennial Biographies:

The G's



GALLAGHER, ROY was born July 29, 1921, at Sioux Falls, S.D., and Margaret Rose Olson, born Aaugust 27, 1921, were married on April 21, 1944. They are the parents of Thomas, Omaha, Nebr.; Jeffrey-married to Trudy Jerome, Washington, D.C.; and twin daughters-Joli of Tempe, Ariz., and Jeri, of Iowa City, Ia. In 1941 Roy entered the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Theater and in China. The Gallaghers came to Larchwood from Cedar Rapids, Ia., in 1953. Roy was in partnership with the Olson Lumber Company of Sioux Falls, S.D.; he now owns the Larchwood Lumber Company. He is a charter member and was the president of the Optimist Club. He was also lieutenant governor and governor of the Iowa district of the Optimists. Roy is presently the mayor of Larchwood.


GANNON, JOHN
came to Larchwood in 1897. He married Julie Watters of Petersville, Ia., in 1904. They had five children-Cletus, Liguori, Mary, Charles, and Sarazella. John and his brother operated the Ford garage in Larchwood at one time. They moved to Dell Rapids about 1910. Julie died in 1914 and John passed away September 9, 1958.


GERNER, RAYMOND G.
was born September 12, 1886, at Alta, Ia. He married Hazel Murphy June 24, 1914, in Elrod, S.D. She was born April 6, 1893, in Wayne, Nebr. Their children are-Wayne of San Antonio, Tex., and Joyce (Mrs. James Wood), Mission, Tex. The Gerners moved to Larchwood in 1918 to become associated with his father in the general mercantile business. When their store was destroyed by fire in 1930, they moved to Mission, Tex. Ray died December 18, 1949.


GERNER, WILLIAM,
born in 1858, married Mary Hall on April 30, 1883. Both were born in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of three children-Harry, Raymond and Florence (Mrs. August Hoeck), all deceased. After their marriage the Gerners moved from Pennsylvania to Alta, Ia., and then to Larchwood in 1918, where they operated a general store until it was destroyed by fire in 1930. William died April 2, 1929, and Mary in November of 1942.


GETMAN, NATHAN ERNEST
was born December 23, 1875, and on June 2, 1897, at Ida Grove, Ia., married Eliza Teghtmeyer, who was born February 8, 1874. The couple had five children-Wayne (deceased); Lola (Mrs. Ralph McNerney), and Kenneth-who married Lucille Oeser, both of Luverne, Minn.; Dr. Floyd-who married Mary Sheeley, Coralville, Ia.; and Dr. G.H.-married to Clara Mains, Wayne, Pa. Nathan operated the drug store in Larchwood from 1894 till 1919, at which time he moved to Rock Rapids, Ia. He wrote many stories on the history of Larchwood and Lyon County. Nathan passed away January 7, 1957, and Eliza on January 24, 1971.


GOETTSCH, HERMAN
was born January 10, 1905, at Larchwood. On August 28, 1937, at Rock Rapids, Ia., Herman married Alice Hagemann, who was born September 28, 1915, at Grant County, Minn. They have one son, Dean-who married Peggy Ann Schoen, Freeborn, Minn. Herman and Alice have farmed in the Larchwood vicinity since their marriage and now reside on their farm north of town. They are members of the English Lutheran Church at Larchwood.


GOETTSCH, J.H.
was born at Lubeck, Germany, September 1, 1853. He married Caroline Bender August 27, 1891, at Remsen, Ia. She was born January 20, 1870, in Germany. To this union nine children were born-Emma, Margaret, Dora, Henry, and a baby boy (all deceased); Carl, Tenino, Wash.; William-who married Sophia Siedel, Ramona, S.D.; Bertha (Mrs. George Hess), Wheaton, Minn.; and Herman-married to Alice Hagemann, Larchwood. Joe came from Germany in 1873 and settled in Benton County, Ia. He purchased a farm in Sioux Township in 1890, and the land that he broke was low prairie. He erected a few buildings and moved his family there in the spring of 1892. Joe and Caroline were charter members of the Lutheran Church, donating much time and labor to erecting the church. Joe passed away at their farm home March 22, 1939, and Caroline on May 25, 1943.   Goettsch Photo


GOTTLOB, HENRY
was born in Illinois in 1869. Egypt Hodge was also born in Illinois, in 1866. They were married December 26, 1906, at Alton, Ill. After their marriage they moved to Larchwood. Two sons were born to this union. Henry, Jr. was killed by lightning at the age of 10 years. Herbert married Eleanor Bratcher and resides in Larchwood. Henry passed away in 1925, and Egypt in 1946.


GRATTON, JAMES H. JR.
was born November 28, 1880. He married Katie Brown, daughter of William and Louisa Brown, on March 7, 1907, at Larchwood. Katie was born April 6, 1887. They became the parents of three children-Frances and James W., (both deceased); and Ruth (Mrs. T.M. Clymer), Des Moines, Ia. The Grattons farmed in the Larchwood area, with the exception of eight years when they lived in town. James was employed by the Farmers' Elevator. Katie was the local editor of the "Larchwood Leader," under the supervision of the owner, Mr. King. In 1930 James and Katie purchased the Bradley farm on the state line northwest of Larchwood. In 1960 they retired and moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., where they celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.
James passed away on April 24, 1960, and Katie still lives in Sioux Falls.


GRATTON, JAMES, SR.
and his wife, Mary Jane Gayden, migrated from England to America in May of 1881 and settled on a farm near Dunlap, Ill. They were the parents of James, John, Elmer, Mary, Hattie, William, and Thomas (all deceased). Mary Jane passed away after Elmer was born, and two years later James married her sister, Susan Gayden. In the spring of 1896 they moved to the Larchwood vicinity, settling on a farm southeast of town. In a few years they purchased land near by, where they lived until retiring in Larchwood in 1912. James passed away in 1927 and Susan in 1929.


GRIMM, JOHN A.
was born April 4, 1873, in North English, Ia. He married Mary E. Kinderfather, January 1, 1895, at Garrison, Ia. She was born July 28, 1872, at Garrison. They had two daughters-Gladys (Zangger-Powers), Long Beach, Calif.; and Inez (Mrs. Wilfred (Dodd;) -Ashton), Larchwood; and two orphan children-Edward Konanz (deceased) and Benjamin Barnhizer-who married Clella Russell, Mechanicsville, Ia. The Grimms moved from Larchwood in 1917. They owned meat markets in Hills, Minn., and Little Rock, Ia., before settling in Rock Rapids, Ia., where they first owned a service station and tourist camp and then the East-Side Grocery, which they operated until they retired. John passed away November 25, 1940, and Mary in 1948.


GROTEWOLD, ANDREW
and Pearl Lohman were married on January 11, 1941, at Rock Rapids, Ia. Andy was born January 23, 1914, at Ashton, Ia.; and Pearl was born April 19, 1921, at Rock Rapids. They are the parents of three children-Sharon (Mrs. Alan Tuntland), Rochester, Minn.; Bonnie (Mrs. Terryl Pettengill), San Francisco, Calif.; Paulette (Mrs. Daniel Kasperski), Chicago, Ill.; and Alan of Larchwood. Andy and Pearl farm southwest of Larchwood. They have one grandchild.


GROTEWOLD, C. FRED
was born in Larchwood on May 21, 1890. On June 23, 1910, he married Clara Wallace, who was also from Larchwood, and was born March 15, 1892. The children born to this couple included Ellen (Mrs. G.E. Larson), Omaha, Nebr.; Floyd, married to Maxine Stoefen, Larchwood; Earl, married to Phylis Larson, Indianola, Iowa; and Melvin, who married Faye Schaefer, Lester, Iowa. They also raised two grandchildren, Richard and Jean, and one niece, Kay. Fred ran a dray line, clerked for Haggert's Store, farmed, and then for 25 years worked for Standard Oil. He served as mayor of Larchwood for several years. After his retirement he enjoyed gardening and the raising of strawberries. Fred died on August 7, 1968. Clara is now residing at Tuff's Memorial Home at Hills, Minnesota.


GROTEWOLD, FLOYD (BUD)
was born in Larchwood November 18,1914. He worked for his father, Fred, who was the Standard Oil agent. Bud married Maxine Stoefen, from Alvord, Ia., on June 25, 1936. She was born February 5, 1917. The couple are the parents of five children-Barbara (Mrs. Harold Roemen), Donna (Mrs. Ray Tieszen), and Nancy (Mrs. Leonard Roemen), all of Larchwood; Bill, married Shirley Williams, Fling, Mich.; and Doug, who married Carol Jensen, Las Vegas, Nev. In 1949 at the time of his father's retirement, he became a Standard Oil agent. Bud has served on the City Council for several years.


GROTEWOLD, FRANK
Grotewold, Frank, son of Henry and Salome Grotewold, was born on Dec 29, 1877, at Claremont, Iowa. On Feb. 16, 1904, at Larchwood, he married Grace McEnaney, who was born on April 14, 1883, the daughter of Dr. James and May McEnaney. To this marriage were born seven children, Raymond (dec); Gladys (Mrs. Dale Fett), Ames, Iowa; Florence Leona (Mrs. Vernon Lewis), Rock Rapids, Iowa; William LeRoy, married to Pearl McMonagle, Andy, married to Pearl Lohman, and the twins, Harry and Harvey, who married Alma Rorem and Vera Heyer, respectively, all of Larchwood, Frank came to Larchwood in 1881. After their marriage Frank and Grace farmed at Ashton, Iowa. and west of Larchwood before moving into Larchwood in their later years. Frank passed away on Nov. 22, 1963, and Grace on Nov. 15, 1968.


GROTEWOLD, HARRY was born November 15, 1909, at Larchwood. His wife, Alma Rorem, was born October 30, 1913, at Inwood, Iowa. They were married on December 16, 1930, and became the parents of three children, Betty (Mrs. Marvin Kramer) and Gary, married to Marilyn Hestand, both of Larchwood; and Robert, who married Evelyn Moser, Steen, Minn. Harry and Alma farmed at Inwood and then in South Dakota before moving to a farm west of Larchwood. They have eight grandchildren.


GROTEWOLD, HARVEY
was born November 15, 1909. On June 14, 1930, he married Vera Heyer, who was born September 2, 1911. They have five children, Beverly Ann (Mrs. Delbert Rippentrop), Valley Springs, South Dakota; Lyle, married to Joan Ripperda, and Gerald, married to Melva Huemoeller, both of Larchwood; June (Mrs. Robert Severson), West Liberty, Iowa.; and Connie (Snitselaar;), Marion,Iowa. Harvey and Vera farmed east of Larchwood until they retired in 1972 and built a new home in Larchwood. They have 20 grandchildren.


GROTEWOLD, LE ROY,
son of Frank and Grace Grotewold, married Pearl McMonagle, daughter of Charles and Johanne McMonagle, on June 1, 1934. LeRoy was born November 18, 1904, and Pearl on July 7, 1913. They are the parents of six children, Leota (Coles-Mrs. Joe Redenius, Jr.), Valley Springs, South Dakota; Royce, married to Gayle Rupert, Pueblo, Colo.; Irene (Mrs. Robert Kueter), Humboldt, S.D.; Lorna (Mrs. Joel Stevens), Leonard, and Colleen, all of Larchwood. The Grotewolds farm northwest of Larchwood. LeRoy and Pearl have nine grandchildren.


GROTEWOLD, HENRY
was born at Bremen, Germany, on April 14, 1837. He settled at Freeport, IL in 1851, and then moved to West Union, IA, where on March 31, 1860 he married Salome Barthelme, who was born in Goxweiler, Alsace, Germany, on Jan 19, 1840. Salome was 14 years old when she came to America. During the voyage her mother, brother, and sister died aboard the ship and were buried at sea. Being the oldest daughter, Salome helped raise the rest of the family. Henry and Salome were the parents of 14 children - Louis, Sophia, Gesina, William, George, Christian, Louise, Henry, Charles, Frank, Jessie, Ernest (Pete), Nellie and Mary (all deceased). The Grotewolds came to Lyon county in 1881, farming east of Lester for one year and then moving northwest of Larchwood until their retirement when they moved into town. Salome passed away on May 7, 1914, and Henry on June 27, 1919.
Photo of Henry Grotewold Family   |  Photo of Louis Grotewold


GROTEWOLD, LAURENCE R.
was born December 23, 1907, and Laura Schoenfelder, born September 8, 1908, were married on June 10, 1939, at South Sioux City, Nebraska. They have four children, John, who married Cathy Shipley, and Mary Ann (Mrs. Joseph Blauwet), both of Larchwood; Donald, married to Vera Carnahan, Renton, Washington; and Jane, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Grotewolds are retired on their farm west of Larchwood.


GROTEWOLD, WILLIAM
, the son of Henry and Salome Grotewold, was born Feb. 23, 1865, in Fayette county, Iowa. On Jan 14, , William married Mary Tobiason, who was born April 4, 1878. They were the parents of 10 children, Herman, Harry (all dec); Salome (Mrs. Ralph Anderson), Rock Rapids, Iowa; Walter, who married Phyllis Hull, Frankfort, Illinois (Mrs. Ben Holmes), Apple Valley, California; Louise (Mrs. Melvin Clark), Sioux City, Iowa; Lawrence, married to Laura , Larchwood, Bernice (Mrs. Robert Paulson), Downey, California; and Muriel (Mrs. Lawrence Duchane), Sloan, Iowa. William came to the west end of Lyon County in 1881 and in 1888 broke the prairie land, which he farmed for over 45 years. Mary passed away Augusst 12, 1931, and William on August 6, 1954.


GROTH, JOHN was born March 17, 1890. He married tillie Wenzel of Alvord, Iowa., on February 19, 1913. Tillie was born May 11, 1893. They had three children, who were all deceased at an early age. John and Tillie farmed east of Larchwood for many years and then moved to a new home in Larchwood in 1966. Tillie passed away September 10, 1966, and John on October 19, 1969.


GROTH, PETER was born at Brunsbuttel Kvog, Germany, on August 12, 1865. He came to America in 1882, settling in Benton County, Iowa. He married Ida Wiese on November 18, 1889, at Belle Plaine, Iowa. They had three children; John and Herman (both deceased), and Anna (Mrs. Edward Oehmke), Sibley, Iowa. The Groths moved to Larchwood in 1900 to a farm on the east edge of Larchwood. They helped organize and build the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1916 they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Peter passed away on July 15, 1939. Ida spent the last years of her life back on the home place at Larchwood until her death on July 17, 1960.


GULK, GEORGE was born at Durant, IA, on February 11, 1870, and was united in marriage to Minnie Winkelman on March 1894. She was born December 6, 1869, in Germany. Four children were born to this union - Nellie (Mrs. Vincent Doyle) - who married Esther Holten, both of Sioux falls, SD, Harry Sr., who married Bertha Myrlie, Larchwood; and (Mrs. Al Koplin), Alhambra, CA. They settled in Lyon County on a farm which he purchased northwest of in 1898 and then moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 1918. They were members of the Lutheran church. George passed 1942, while Minnie attained the age of 94 years and passed away in 1962 in Sioux Falls.   Gulk Family Photo

GULK, HARRY SR.
Gulk, Harry Sr. - born May 27, 1898 at Trosky, MN., and Bertha Myrlie born December 14, 1903 at Luverne, MN were married July 19, 1923, at Hills, MN. Harry and Bertha are the parents of five children- June (Mrs. Bernard Sevatson) and Beverly (Mrs. Clarence Brovold), both of Sioux Falls, SD; Carol Ann (Mrs. Glen McKenny) and Harry Jr. - married to Karen Krier, both of Larchwood; and Robert - who married Janetta Whitley, Torrance, CA. Harry and Bertha took over his father's farm northwest of Larchwood until they retired in 1966 and moved to Larchwood in 1970, where they still reside. They have 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.


GULK, THOMAS
Gulk, Thomas - was born in Flemsburg, Germany, September 9 1845. As a young man of 20 years, he immigrated to America in 1865 and settled at Davenport, IA. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Gerdes in 1868. She was born in 1847. The couple had five children - George, Frank, Herman, Mary and Amanda (all deceased). They lived in Benton county and then in 1870 moved to Lyon county, IA and purchased a farm north of Larchwood, known now as the deWandel farm. Elizabeth died April 10, 1903, and Thomas on October 21, 1913.