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Richard Geschke

1848 - 1923

Geschke Hardware: 115 Second St

Residence at 301 Sixth St.

Richard Geschke, dealer in stoves, hardware, tinware, etc.; was born in Prussia March 9, 1848; the son of Charles Geschke, who came to America with his family and located in Texas in 1853; resided there until 1861, then returned to Germany and remained until 1865, when they came to Watertown.

Charles Geschke died here in April, 1874; his widow survived him.

Richard Geschke has carried on business here since 1862, associated with his father and also with his brother Edward, until the death of the latter; Richard then conducted the business alone.

On March 4, 1872, he was married, in Watertown, to Ida Eckhoff, daughter of Ludwig Eckhoff. She was born in Watertown. They had two children.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Geschke were members of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.

1923

03 08 Richard Geschke Called to His Final Reward

Richard Geschke, one of Watertown’s oldest and best known business men, died last Monday at his home, 301 Sixth Street. He had been in poor health several months and for three weeks past was confined to his home. March 9, 1848, he was born in Stratsmud, Germany, and in 1865 came to Watertown with his parents, and he has resided here ever since. Shortly after locating here he and his two brothers and his father opened a hardware store in Second Street, to which he succeeded and conducted till about four years ago. His wife and one son and two daughters survive him, his children being Carl Geschke of Berkeley, California, Mrs. Frank Bliefernicht of Berlin and Mrs. Herman Marquardt of this city. Mr. Geschke has always during his long residence here enjoyed the esteem and good will of his fellow citizens and all regret his death very much. WG

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The Richard Geschke Family

The Richard Geschke family of Watertown WHS_005_431

Richard, Adelia, Emma, Carl, Ida (nee Eckhoff) Geschke.

Emma married Franz Bliefernicht.

Franz and Emma born in Watertown.

Photo dated 1890s.

Cross-References:

115 S Second became home of Plattdeutscher Verein

Geschke burials in Oak Hill Cemetery:

Geschke, A. W., b. 1854, d. 1949

Geschke, Adela H., b. 1871, d. 1874

Geschke, Arnold, b. 1893, d. 1967

Geschke, Carl A., b. 1876, d.

Geschke, Carl, b. 1813, d. 1874 (Charles)

Geschke, Dora M., b. 1869, d. 1955

Geschke, Dorothea, b. 1813, d. 1889

Geschke, Edward, b. 1839, d. 1877

Geschke, Elias, b. 1841, d. 1904

Geschke, Elmer, b. 1903, d. 1913

Geschke, Father, b. 1859, d. 1943

Geschke, Ida, b. 1852, d. 1931

Geschke, Laura, b. 1892, d. 1933

Geschke, Mother, b. 1862, d. 1916

Geschke, Richard, b. 1848, d. 1923\