San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 811-812
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 1/13/2010
ERNEST GIESEKE
A man of force and ability, Ernest Gieseke enjoys an enviable record of thirty years of public service as peace officer and constable of Tulare township, San Joaquin County, and his residence in Tracy covers more than forty years. He was born on January 4, 1850, in Hanover, Germany, and was fortunate in receiving a good education before he left his native country. In July, 1868, he boarded a westbound steamer at Hamburg, and in due time reached New York City; however, he had determined on California as his final destination, and soon after his arrival in America he took passage on the steamer San Diego de Cuba for Aspinwall, from there crossing the Isthmus by railroad; thence by steamer up the coast to San Francisco, arriving during August of 1868. He spent two weeks in San Francisco, then took passage on the steamer “Old Julia,” a fast boat used on the river for express and passenger service, as the railroad had not been built. He found employment as a ranch hand throughout the county and on a large sheep range near San Joaquin City became well acquainted with the late Hal Fiske, pioneer capitalist and philanthropist. In those early days wild game was in abundance, and Mr. Gieseke enjoyed his share of it.
The marriage of Mr. Gieseke occurred at Stockton and united him with Miss Marguerite Yost, a daughter of the late Mrs. Christian Yost-Ludwig of Tracy. Mrs. Gieseke is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., but came to San Francisco, Cal., with her parents in 1867 and the following year located in Ellis, and ten years later settled in Tracy. Mr. and Mrs. Gieseke are the parents of three children: Henry W. is married and resides in Tracy and is employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad; Albert is married and resides at San Pablo, and is employed by the Standard Oil Company; Pearl is the wife of James N. Lamb, residing at Tracy, and they have one son.
Mr. Gieseke received his U.S. citizenship in Stockton in 1871. He became prominent as an agriculturist and engaged extensively in raising grain on the West Side; he then took up the breeding and raising of thoroughbred stock and in 1878 removed to Tracy and established the Pacific Stables and conducted a livery business. He was noted all over the state for his fine animals and was well known as a trader and breeder of fine horses. During his residence in Tracy, he has acquired some very fine income property, has constructed and owns several fine residences which he rents. Mr. Gieseke has been most active in educational matters and served on the board of trustees for many years. Fraternally, he helped to organize the Knights of Pythias No. 18, and is a charter member and past officer, and past grand of the Odd Fellows' Lodge of Tracy. In the discharge of the duties of his office as constable, he was daring and relentless; if he started after a criminal, sooner or later he captured him; among them C. Phillips, the jail breaker and criminal, and another the grain sack thief who operated throughout the San Joaquin Valley in 1901. Mr. Gieseke worked in co-operation with Sheriff Cunningham for six years and the association grew into a strong friendship. During the '90s he served as a member of the Republican County Central Committee and was twice a delegate to the state convention. He is a liberal contributor to the Red Cross and other local benevolences and cheerfully gives of his time and means toward all movements for the general progress of his home city.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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