Jacob F. Gerkens

Jacob Frederick Gerkens (January 12, 1842 – December 26, 1906) was a German-American member of the Los Angeles City Council and the first police chief of that city after the abolition of the office of city marshal. He served for a little more than a year, from December 18, 1876 to December 26, 1877.

Biography Gerkins was born in the Duchy of Holstein on January 12, 1842. His parents emigrated to America during his early childhood and settled in Erie County, New York, near Buffalo. At age 16, Gerkens and his ox teams came direct to Los Angeles, where for several years he "was engaged in teaming and freighting." He next went to Yuma, Arizona, ran a ferry for a year, "and again engaged in freighting and carried on the business until 1865," then returned to California and worked as a ranch foreman for Robert Burnett for two years. Now known as the Bailey House, it is the oldest home in the city. "His next venture was in the grocery business, on San Fernando street, at the junction of Downey avenue."

He died in Los Angeles, aged 64.