Robert Edward Gapsch1,2,3

ID# 8192, (1863 - 1946)
FatherEdward W. Gapsch4,5,6 (6 Feb 1842 - 23 Mar 1931)
MotherSophie Herfurt7,5,6 (13 Jun 1840 - 23 Aug 1910)

Key Events:

Birth: 4 Sep 1863, Beiersdorf, Königreich Sachsen8,9,10
Marriage: 4 Jun 1890, German Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon, Matilda Henriksdotter (24 Feb 1865 - 19 Mar 1926)11,12,13
Marriage: between 1926 and 1930, Charlotte Anne Bright (Aug 1873 - 16 Jun 1958)14,15,16
Death: 25 Jun 1946, 508 E. 16th St., Vancouver, Clark Co., Washington17,18
Burial: 28 Jun 1946, Park Hill Cemetery, Vancouver, Washington19,20,21
ChartsDescendants of Edward and Sophie Gapsch
Known Ancestors of Edward and Sophie Gapsch
AncestryThe Gapsch Family

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     
Robert Gapsch about 1926
photo courtesy Herb Spady
Robert Edward Gapsch was born on 4 Sep 1863 in Beiersdorf, Königreich Sachsen.8,9,10 He was baptized on 13 Sep 1863 in St. Äegidien-Kirche, Altenhof, Königreich Sachsen, His godparents were his paternal grandfather, August Gapsch, his maternal grandmother, Johanna Christiane Goldner, and his mother's brother, Heinrich Wilhelm Herfurt.7 Robert was christened as Eduard Robert Herfurth. After his parents married the following year it appears he used his father's surname. He apparently used Robert as his given name, and adopted the spelling Robert Edward after he immigrated to the U.S.22,23,3
     According to family stories, he was "farmed out" at a young age to a prosperous farmer. He had to get up before dawn to do chores, including blacking th master's boots, before running to school to avoid being whipped for being late.24
     He arrived in New York with his parents, Edward W. Gapsch and Sophie Herfurt, on 23 Mar 1881, on the steamship Weser, having departed from the port of Bremen. They were shown on the passenger list as from Saxony, with a stated destination of St. Louis, and having traveled in steerage class.25,26,27

Moving to the Northwest --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Robert moved west in the late 1880's. According to family lore he declared that "if I had wanted to live in Germany I wouldn't have left," a reference to the heavily German community where they lived near St. Louis. He started his journey with his uncle and godfather, Heinrich Wilhelm Herfurt, and his daughters. Supposedly his companions traveled only as far as "Indian Territory," Oklahoma, where they stayed, and no further evidence of them has been found. Robert continued to the Pacific Northwest, arriving in Portland, Oregon.28
     His dislike for German influences was evident by the effort he took to speak English without any German accent. Those who knew him in later years said they heard no trace of it. When acquaintances spoke to him in German he responded in English unless the other person did not speak English.29
     Robert married first Matilda Henriksdotter, daughter of Henrik Jakobsson and Beata Maria Johansdotter, on 4 Jun 1890 in German Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon, with Rev. Edard I. Doering officating.11,12,13
     Robert and Matilda were living in Columbia Hotel, Portland, Oregon, in 1891 where he was shown as a watchman and she as a domestic.30,31 They were living at 128 Mill St., Portland, Oregon, in Apr 1891 when their first child was born.32
     He and his wife sponsored the baptism of Albert Henry Johnson, her sister's son, 21 May 1893 in Portland, Oregon.33

From the City to the Farm --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Robert and Matilda appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Reedville, Washington Co., Oregon, enumerated 26 Jun 1900. Their children Emma, Edward, William, Alvina and Robert were listed as living with them.34
     Robert was seems to have taken up farming when they moved to Reedville, and continued for many years.35,36 He and Matilda purchased 120 acres about 2 miles northwest of La Center, Clark Co., Washington, on 5 Nov 1900, for $2000, from the Canadian and American Mortgage and Trust Co., Ltd. They paid $500 down, and in a complicated contract, agreed to pay the balance by 1 Dec 1906, with interest at 7%. Principal and interest were to be paid in installments, with title to all crops remaining with the seller until each installment was paid. The buyers could cut timber but one-third of the value was to be paid to the sellers, to be applied to the balance due. This provision was cancelled on 11 Dec 1901 after payment of $1000 against the purchase price had been made.37,38 (See Map.)
     The move to La Center must have been quite an adventure. They loaded all their goods on a wagon, and herded the dairy cows all the way, some 50 miles, crossing the Columbia River on a ferry.39
     On 26 Dec 1918 he and Matilda sold the 40 acres he had purchased from his brother Edward in 1914 to Forest Emery Reigel, for $1500.40 The $1500 loan from 1918, the $1250 loan from 1919, and the $1350 loan from 1920 were all recorded as satisfied later that month.41
     Robert and Matilda appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of La Center, Clark Co., Washington, enumerated 26 Apr 1910. Their children Emma, William, Edward, Lucretia and Alvina were listed as living with them, as well as his brother, Edward Gapsch.42
     Robert purchased 40 acres to the west of his existing farm on 22 Jul 1910, from Thomas Horn for $700, apparently paying in full.43 On 11 Jul 1914 Robert bought from his brother Edward, the 40-acre parcel he had purchased in 1911, near in La Center, Clark Co., Washington. The purchase price is listed as $10 and assumption of the outstanding $400 mortgage.44
     He was apparently more successful at farming than some of his neighbors, perhaps in part because he was more frugal. His youngest daughter, who married the son of a neighboring farmer, once told him "You had cream in your mush. We had skim milk. I don't remember drinking much milk. My sister and I drank coffee. It was cheaper than the milk we sold or fed to the pigs." Perhaps taking advantage of his ties in Portland, he went there weekly to see eggs and butter to one of hotels.45
     Robert seems to have had other interests as well. In 1908 he incorporated the LaCenter Canning & Packing company in La Center, with Victor Martina and George Lawton. The company was capitalized at $12,000.46 In the 1920 census, in California, and 1930, in Vancouver, he shows no occupation, apparently retired. But by 1940 he had evidently taken up work again at the Columbia Spruce Mills.47,48,49

To California for Matilda's Health --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     On 15 Feb 1916 Robert leased his farm (excluding 5 acres) to John Staadt for a term of 5 years, commencing 1 Mar 1916. It would seem likely this was in connection with moving to California, which according to family lore was for the benefit of his wife's health. The lessee agreed to pay $30 per month and to cultivate the farm in a "careful and husband-like manner," protect the trees and maintain the buildings. All straw and manure made on the premises was to be spread there, and not removed. The lease included livestock: ten cows, five steer calves, one dark bay horse about 9 years old, one light bay horse age 15 years, and 48 chickens. No stock was permitted to run on cultivated fields during the rainy season. Implements were also included: a mower, hay rake, hay tedder, hay fork and attachments, potato digger, disk, harrow, plow, cultivator, wagon, fan mill, feed cutter, root cutter, power grinder, cider mill, and cream separator, all of which were to be kept in the machine shed when not in use, and kept in good repair. The tools were to be used only by the lessee, and not loaned or hired out. The lessee had the right to cut firewood for his own use. The lessor reserved the right to remove the saw mill.50
     The transaction was not successful. In Feb 1917 Robert filed an affidavit declaring the lease forfeited because the lessee failed to pay any of the rent and had abandoned the property in Apr 1916.51
     On 26 Dec 1918 he and Matilda sold the 40 acres he had purchased from his brother Edward in 1914 to Forest Emery Reigel, for $1500. He was a brother of the husband of their late daughter Emma.40
Robert & Mathilda's Tombstone
photo courtesy "The Girls"

     Robert and Matilda appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Beaumont, Riverside Co., California, at 460 Euclid Ave., enumerated 7 Jan 1920, where they are shown as owning their home, free from mortgage. Their daughter Lucretia was listed as living with them.52
     He and Matilda sold six lots in La Center, Clark Co., Washington, to their son, Henry on 24 Aug 1920, for $10.53 On 7 Sep 1920 Robert and Matilda sold the 40 acres he had purchased in 1910 to Charley Wampler for $6500. Robert took a mortgage for $4500 against the property, at 6% interest. It was to be repaid by 1 Oct 1926, but was actually repaid 5 Feb 1925.54
     Robert filed a Declaration of Intention to become naturalized on 10 Feb 1917 in Clark Co., Washington, but did not complete the process before moving to southern California.55 He filed a Petition for Naturalization on 4 Jan 1922 in Riverside, California.56 His naturalization certificate was issued by the Superior Court in Riverside on 26 Jun 1922.57,58

Back to Washington --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Robert and Matilda moved to 508 E. 16th St., Vancouver, Washington, in 1923 where they lived until she died, and he continued to live there after he remarried.59,60,61 She died on 19 Mar 1926 at that home.62,63
     Robert married second Charlotte Anne Bright, daughter of Robert Bright and Milessa Crondell, between 1926 and 1930.14,15,16
     Robert and Charlotte appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Vancouver, Clark Co., Washington, at 508 E. 16th St., enumerated 5 Apr 1930, reporting that they owned a home valued at $3000, and did not own a radio.64
     Robert and Charlotte appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Vancouver, Clark Co., Washington, at 508 E. 16th, enumerated 11 Apr 1940, reporting that they owned a home valued at $2,500, and had lived in the same house in 1935.65
     Robert reported in April that he had not been employed the prior year, and was not seeking work. But he applied for a Social Security Number 9 Nov 1940, reporting that he was employed by Columbia Spruce Mills, at Ft. W. 12 St., Vancouver, Washington.65,5
     Robert died on 25 Jun 1946 in 508 E. 16th St., Vancouver, Clark Co., Washington, at age 82, in his home.17,18 He was buried on 28 Jun 1946 in Park Hill Cemetery, Vancouver, Washington, in his lot, next to his first wife.19,20,21

Children:
     Children with Matilda Henriksdotter:

Children:
     There were no children with Charlotte Anne Bright

Citations

  1. [S2856] Robert Edward Gapsch, Application for Account, shows full name.
  2. [S261] Robert Edward Gapsch, Certificate of Death.
  3. [S669] Weser arrival 23 Mar 1881, Passenger Lists, New York, 1820-1897, passenger 251, shows name as Robert Gapsch.
  4. [S2121] Langheinrich, "Taufeintrag [christening]: Eduard Robert Herfurth", shows that the mother stated he was the father, and this was affirmed by the subsequent marriage of the parents.
  5. [S2856] Robert Edward Gapsch, Application for Account.
  6. [S669] Weser arrival 23 Mar 1881, Passenger Lists, New York, 1820-1897, passengers 249-254, shows them apparently as parent and child.
  7. [S2121] Langheinrich, "Taufeintrag [christening]: Eduard Robert Herfurth."
  8. [S2121] Langheinrich, "Taufeintrag [christening]: Eduard Robert Herfurth", shows date, and his mother's father as living in Beiesrdorf.
  9. [S2856] Robert Edward Gapsch, Application for Account, shows date, age 77, and country, as Germany.
  10. [S261] Robert Edward Gapsch, Certificate of Death, shows date and country, as Germany.
  11. [S7298] Robert Gapsch and Matilda Hendrickson, marriage return, shows date, " G. L. Church," and officiant.
  12. [S151] Robert Gapsch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Oregon, shows married 10 years.
  13. [S3156] Polk's Portland City Directory, 1890, pg 571, shows Rev. Edward Doering as pastor; pg 579, shows church at "sw cor 7th and Washington."
  14. [S261] Robert Edward Gapsch, Certificate of Death, shows Charlotte Anne Gapsch as his wife.
  15. [S2856] Robert Edward Gapsch, Application for Account, shows married.
  16. [S1843] Robert Gapsch household, 1930 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington, shows married, with his first marriage at age 27 hers at age 20.
  17. [S261] Robert Edward Gapsch, Certificate of Death, shows date, place, city and county.
  18. [S3183] Clark County Genealogical Society, Clark County Cemeteries, "Park Hill - G," pg 5, shows date, from tombstone inscription.
  19. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #26116612, Robert E. Gapsch, shows date, that it was his lot, and includes photo of gravestone showing both their names.
  20. [S261] Robert Edward Gapsch, Certificate of Death, shows date and cemetery.
  21. [S3183] Clark County Genealogical Society, Clark County Cemeteries, "Park Hill - G," pg 5, shows date and that he shares stone with Mathilda.
  22. [S2121] Langheinrich, "Taufeintrag [christening]: Eduard Robert Herfurth", shows him as illegitimate, with the name of the father stated by the mother, and confrimed by the subsequest marriage.
  23. [S2102] Langheinrich, "Trauung [marriage]: Friedrich, Wilhelm Eduard Gapsch and Sophie Herfurt", shows they were married 5 Jun 1864.
  24. [S5706] Myron D. Spady letter to author, 23 Dec 2000, citing stories told him by his mother, youngest of Robert and Matilda's children.
  25. [S669] Weser arrival 23 Mar 1881, Passenger Lists, New York, 1820-1897, passengers 249-254, shows ship, state of origin, departure city, arrival city and date, class of accommodations, and destination.
  26. [S151] Robert Gapsch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Oregon, shows he immigrated in 1882.
  27. [S1890] Moritz Gapsch household, 1920 U.S. Census, St. Louis Co., Missouri, shows Moritz and Edward immigrated in 1881.
  28. [S815] Interview, Alvina Myers, 1 Jan 2004.
  29. [S5706] Myron D. Spady letter to author, 23 Dec 2000.
  30. [S245] Portland City Directory 1891.
  31. [S244] Portland City Directory 1890.
  32. [S246] (---?---) Gapsch, Portland birth records.
  33. [S1384] Albert Henry Johnson, baptismal certificate.
  34. [S151] Robert Gapsch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Oregon.
  35. [S151] Robert Gapsch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Oregon, shows occupation as farmer.
  36. [S143] Robert E. Gapsch household, 1910 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington, shows occupation as farmer.
  37. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 52:417-9, Canadian and American Mortgage and Trust Co., Ltd. to Robert and Matilda Gapsch, agreement, 31 May 1902, and addendum canceling the timber payments.
  38. [S225] Plotting the location (currently near the intersection of NW 359th St and NW Pleasant View Dr.) on DeLorme Street Atlas USA and measuring from the center of the town of La Center yields just about 1.4 miles as the crow flies, and about 2.4 miles following modern streets and roads.
  39. [S5706] Myron D. Spady letter to author, 23 Dec 2000, citing stories told him by his uncle Henry, one of Robert and Matilda's children.
  40. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 127:55-6, Robert and Matilda Gapsch to Forest E. Reigel, deed, 27 Dec 1918.
  41. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 157:22, F. F. Myers to Forest E. Reigel, satisfaction of mortgage, 18 Jun 1923, shows mortgage dated 31 Dec 1918 satisfied 8 Jun 1923; 157:23, La Center State Bank to Forest E. and Anna Reigel, release of mortgage, 18 Jun 1923, shows mortgage dated 9 Oct 1919 satisfied 9 Jun 1923; and 157:23-4, La Center State Bank to Forest E. and Anna Reigel, release of mortgage, 18 Jun 1923, shows mortgage dated 31 Dec 1920 satisfied 9 Jun 1923.
  42. [S143] Robert E. Gapsch household, 1910 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington.
  43. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 83:437-8, Thomas Horn to Robert Gapsch, deed, 22 Jul 1910.
  44. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 108:112-3, Edward Gapsch to Robert Gapsch, deed, 11 Jul 1914.
  45. [S5706] Myron D. Spady letter to author, 23 Dec 2000, relating a story from his childhood.
  46. [S1430] "Articles of Incorporation," Morning Olympian, 29 Jul 1908.
  47. [S418] Robert E. Gapsch household, 1920 U.S. Census, Riverside Co., California, shows occupation as "none."
  48. [S1843] Robert Gapsch household, 1930 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington, shows occupation as "none."
  49. [S2856] Robert Edward Gapsch, Application for Account, shows employer as Columbia Spruce Mills, Vancouver.
  50. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 116:39-41, Robert Gapsch to John Staadt, lease, 16 Feb 1916.
  51. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 120:44, Robert Gapsch to Public, affidvit, 10 Feb 1917.
  52. [S418] Robert E. Gapsch household, 1920 U.S. Census, Riverside Co., California.
  53. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 140:78, Robert and Matilda Gapsch to Henry J. Gapsch, deed, 6 Dec 1920. No other Gapsch family is known in the area, so "Henry J." would appear to be their son, Edward Henry. He is know to have lived in La Center after this time, and often went by "Henry" although no other record shows "Henry J."
  54. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 137:607, Robert and Matelda Gapsch to Charley Wampler, deed, 27 Sep 1920; and 142:142-3, Charley and Mattie Wampler to Robert Gapsch, mortgage, 7 Sep 1920.
  55. [S1443] Robert Edward Gapsch, declaration of intention (10 Feb 1917).
  56. [S7357] Robert Edward Gapsch, petition for naturalization (4 Jan 1922).
  57. [S7358] Robert Edward Gapsch, Certificate of Naturalization (26 Jun 1922).
  58. [S1843] Robert Gapsch household, 1930 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington, shows naturalized.
  59. [S3165] Mrs. Mitilda Gapsch obituary, The Oregonian, shows year.
  60. [S262] Matilda Gapsch, Certificate of Death, shows she lived there at her death, and that she had been in the "Registration Dist." for two years.
  61. [S261] Robert Edward Gapsch, Certificate of Death, shows he lived there at his death.
  62. [S262] Matilda Gapsch, Certificate of Death, shows date, place, city and county.
  63. [S62] Gilman, Knapp Mortuary Funerals, Vol 2, pg 6, shows date, place, city.
  64. [S1843] Robert Gapsch household, 1930 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington.
  65. [S4552] Robert E. Gapsch household, 1940 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington.
  66. [S169] Emma S. Reigel, Certificate of Death.
  67. [S246] (---?---) Gapsch, Portland birth records, shows name of parents as R. Gapsch.
  68. [S99] Questionnaire, Roberta Ellen Gapsch, 1 Sep 1999.
  69. [S349] Erickson, "Family History - Maria Lovisa Henriksdotter."
  70. [S2872] Edward Henry Gapsch, Application for Account.
  71. [S34] Clark County Genealogical Society, Clark County Marriages, vol. 6, pg 49, record for Henry Gapsch.
  72. [S2879] William Gustav Gapsch, Application for Account.
  73. [S34] Clark County Genealogical Society, Clark County Marriages, vol. 7, pg 75, record for Gustav Gapsch.
  74. [S1380] Alvina Louise Gapsch, Delayed Certificate of Birth.