[2] His parents emigrated to America during his early childhood and settled in Erie County, New York, near Buffalo.
[2] On January 9, 1867, he married Maria Isidora Carabajal, a native of Los Angeles.
[4] "His next venture was in the grocery business, on San Fernando street, at the junction of Downey avenue.
The Lewis history stated that "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.
[2] The 1900 census has him living with his wife in the Garvanza district of Los Angeles, which at that time was in the Burbank Township.