Elizabeth M. Gawehn, 1889-1974

  Elizabeth M. Gawehn was born in Germany in July of 1889 to August and Zilla (Richter) Gawehn.  She had two brothers, George and Erich, and a sister, Luella.
  As a child, she was called "Lizzie" and later on everyone called her "Betty".  She was only about a year old when her parents and older brother, George, immigrated to the United States and settled in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
  Elizabeth never lived on her own, married, or had children.  She played tennis and competed in tennis tournaments at the country club in Fort Wayne.
  Elizabeth held several jobs throughout the years.  When she was 15, she was an operator at Bush Box Company.  Two years later, in 1906, she was a transferer at W. K. Mills.  She worked there for at least two years.  By 1912, Elizabeth was an operator for General Electric Company.  In 1919 she worked at Home Tel Co as an operator.  The 1920 census says she was a saleslady at a dry goods store and the 1921 city directory lists her occupation as a clerk at Tepper's.  By 1930, she was working as an operator again in an electrical factory (maybe General Electric again?).  In 1940, she worked in a bake shop with her sister-in-law, making deliveries.
  Elizabeth died on March 19, 1974.  She was 84 years old and the first of the siblings to pass away.  She is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery in the same plot as her brother Erich and sister Luella.

Sunday's Obituary - George Richter Gawehn

Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette
Oct. 2, 1976, pg. 2C

George Gawehn Dies;

artist, ex-gun champ

  Services for George R. Gawehn, 89, a retired artist and etcher who died at 9 p.m. Thursday in Byron Health Center, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home.

  Mr. Gawehn, a native of Germany, had resided in Fort Wayne most of his life.  He was an artist and photographer for General Electric Co. and Bowser Co., and opened his own studio in 1946.

  Mr. Gawehn was a World War I veteran.  In 1923-24, he was national Pistol Marksmanship Champion.

  Surviving is a sister, Luella Gawehn, Fort Wayne.

  Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, with Masonic services at 7:3[sic] p.m. today.  Burial will be in Lindenwood Cemetery.

George is the son of August F. and Zilla (Richter) Gawehn.