I know you and your wife Dorthea left Germany with your two oldest children and arrived in Canada where you last two children where born including my great grandmother Jennie Gatke. From there you went to Iowa where you showed your occupation as a bridge builder. You must have been able to accomplish many things when the need arose as you definitely had a God given talent for writing poetry.

I think you might have possibily went to California before finally arriving in Phoenix during the 1870's. I do know that after your lost your beloved wife Dorthea that you remarried a woman in California and returned to Phoenix with this new bride.

I have searched through the years to find the volume of your poetry, how I would love to have that book, I would treasure it forever. Evidently it reached the hearts of many people here in Phoenix as you became ideally famed as the "Poet of the Salt River Valley. The newspapers say that your verses were widely read and gave evidence that you, the writer, had genius. Another newspaper had this quote about you:  "Mr. Gatke was known as "The Poet of the Salt River Valley. His poems were published, one by one, as they appeared, in the columns of the Gazette. They ranged from tragedy to pathos and quotations linger in the memory of residents here and are evoked at pleasure. It is obvious that your poetry was widely read and gave a lot of pleasure.

I know that you suffered many tragedies here in Phoenix before you departed from this life. The death of your yougest son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and your beloved wife. But I know they were all waiting for you when you arrived in Heaven and I am sure they are all getting the pleasure of hearing your wonderful poetry. Some day I too will get the pleasure of hearing your poetry and meeting my famous great great grandfather "The Poet Of The Salt River Valley".