JOHN FREDERICK AND LENA RADE/RADHE/ROHDE/LENGER GATH

John Frederick Gath was born July 26, 1875 in New York. John's parents were Frederick “William” and Caroline “Carrie” Gath. John and his parents moved to Marion Springs, Saginaw County, Michigan from Royalton, Niagara County, New York, sometime after 1880. John married Lena Rade/Rahde/Rohde/Lenger on December 21, 1903 in Bay City, Michigan.

John and Lena had the following children:

1. Clarence P. Gath born in 1902

2. Alma Gath born in 1904

3. Martha Rose Gath was born September 17, 1908. She married William Kuhlman on November 27, 1926. Martha died January 31, 2006 in Midland and is buried in the Roselawn Cemetery, Saginaw, Michigan.

4. Arthur Gath was born on March 18, 1910 in Lakefield Township. He married Elise Dingler. Arthur died on May 17, 1983 and is buried in the Marion Springs Cemetery, Marion, Saginaw County, Michigan.

5. Louie A. Gath was born on October 21, 1911 in Lakefield Township and died on July 26, 1955 in Marion Springs, Marion, Saginaw County, Michigan.

6. Lena Caroline Gath was born on June 7, 1913 in Lakefield Township. She married Herman Wegner. Lena died on April 1, 1981.

7. Johnnie C. Gath was born on October 8, 1914 in Lakefield Township. He died on February 15, 1976.

8. Nora C.Gath was born June 29, 1916 in Lakefield Township. She married Robert D. Durfee. Nora died on June 11, 1979 in Midland, Michigan.

9. Ervin A. Gath was born May 22, 1918 in Lakefield Township. He married Irene Grossman. Ervin died on April 1, 2000 in Midland, Michigan.

In 1916, John and Lena owned two 40 acre parcels of land on Merrill Road between Grabowksi and Colvin Roads in Lakefield Township. The two parcels of land were kitty corner from each other.  One of the 40 acres was in Section 34 and the other 40 acres was across the road in Section 35. The North Branch of the Bad River ran through both parcels of land.  Their neighbors were George Stadler, Ludwyck Mayer, Frank Glinke Jr., George Clay, Frank Mason, and Bernie Baker.

John died on November 18 1934 due to a hunting accident in West Branch, Ogemaw County, Michigan. Lena died on February 18, 1968. They are both buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

SOURCES: 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 U.S. Census; 1916 Lakefield Township Plat Map; John Gath;s WWI draft registration; John, Lena, Martha Arthur, Lena, Johnnie, Nora, Ervin obituaries.