My Genealogy Hound

KASER, JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 19, P.O. Carrollton. The above named gentleman, although not ranking as an early settler, takes a leading position as an agriculturist; is a native of Switzerland; he was born in the year 1819. When quite young he became apprenticed to the trade of ribbon making, a trade not common here; in Switzerland many of the inhabitants were engaged in its manufacture; Mr. Kaser entered upon this important branch of manufacturing at fifteen; continuing in this employment until arriving at his twenty-fifth year, when he concluded to cast his fortunes in America. With all his years of hard labor, comparatively speaking, he was penniless on arrival here. Landing in the City of New Orleans on the 7th of May; on the 15th of the same month the steamer on board which he was a passenger landed in the City of St. Louis. While here he learned that a colonization scheme, projected in his native land, for the foundation of homes in America, had fallen through. As the customs of Switzerland differ materially from ours it was supposed by many of the inhabitants that 160 acres of our Illinois prairie could comfortably support at least 500 persons. Many of those who had built this airy castle realized the impossibility of the scheme on their arrival here, as fever and ague was abundant, and quinine comparatively unknown. From St. Louis Mr. Kaser made his way to Greene County, where he first entered the employ of Luman Curtius; for him he worked fourteen years; during this time, in 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Curtius, a sister of his employer. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Kaser purchased a tract of land comprising 200 acres in T. 10 R. 11; here he remained five years, when he disposed of his property and moved to Carrollton. In 1857 he purchased 200 acres where he now lives, moving from Carrollton to his farm in 1861. Since this period he has accumulated a large landed property, owning 480 acres. In 1875 Mrs. Kaser was laid at rest in the beautiful cemetery at Carrollton, a handsome monument marking the spot. In 1876 Mr. K. was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Prentice, a daughter of Rev. Amos Prentice For the past six years Mr. Kaser has filled the office of Township Trustee. One specialty that Mr. Kaser has in connection with farming is worthy of note and perhaps unparalleled in Greene Co, This year he offers for sale over three hundred bushels of clover seed of a very superior quality. When the Carrollton Bank was organized in 1877, his personal integrity was recognized and accordingly he became a stock holder and the vice-president of one of the soundest banking institutions in the West. In 1867 Mr. K., accompanied by his wife made a tour of Europe, visiting the City of London, Paris Exhibition, and enjoying the magnificent scenery of his native place. Mrs. Kaser is a distant relative of George D. Prentice who was for many years editor of the Louisville Journal.