My Genealogy Hound

HERMAN C. SASSE, a progressive farmer of Randolph County, cultivates a tract of three hundred and thirty-seven acres situated on section 7, township 7, range 5. A native of St. Louis, Mo., he was born December 10, 1853, to Adolph H. and Caroline (Wolter) Sasse, natives of Haverla and Klein Elba, respectively, in the province of Hanover, Germany. The parents were born in the year 1820, the father on the 20th of February, and the mother on the 6th of December. About the year 1846 they were married in Haverla, and there resided until the fall of 1851. Leaving Bremerhaven after a voyage of sixty-four days, they landed in New Orleans and proceeded immediately to St. Louis, Mo., where they resided about five years.

In the year 1857, accompanied by his family, Mr. Sasse removed to the farm where his son, Herman C., now resided. Here he made his home until his death, which occurred July 12, 1878. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her son. Of seven children born to this couple, our subject is the only one who survives. On the 18th of May, 1876, Mr. Sasse was united in marriage with Miss Caroline, daughter of Peter and Mary (Oelman) Gifhorn, natives of the villages of Lobmachtersen and Gebhardshagen, in the province of Brunswick, Germany. They were born March 20, 1816, and April 3, 1821, respectively. Their marriage occurred in 1850, and in January of 1852 they emigrated to America, landing in New Orleans, and going thence direct to St. Louis. There they resided until April, 1876, when they came to Wine Hill, Ill., and this has since been their home.

Mrs. Sasse, the second and only survivor of two daughters, was born April 28, 1854, and by her union has become the mother of seven children, six of whom are now living. They are, Freda M., Adolph P., Herman J., Emma W., Martha T. and Walter C. Louisa M. died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Sasse, together with their family, are members of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Wine Hill, over which the Rev. C. F. Liebe presides. They are respected by a wide circle of friends, and move in the best social circles of the county.

In politics, Mr. Sasse is a Democrat, and has affiliated with that party ever since attaining his majority. He gives the party candidates and principles his earnest support. For four years he has served as Constable, after having served a year in the same position by appointment. For three years he was Road Commissioner, and for the same period served as Director of district schools. For the past six years he has been a member of the County Central Committee of his political party. In addition to his farming operations, he holds twenty-five shares in the Welga Creamery Company, of which he is Secretary. He is a Director of the Randolph County Mutual Insurance Company, an organization of the farmers for protection against fire, tornadoes, lightning, etc., the policies of which amount to more than a million dollars. For six years Mr. Sasse was Trustee of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in which he is a prominent worker. He is true to every public and private trust reposed in him, and has led an honorable life. Charitable and benevolent, the needy and distressed find in him a friend, and every worthy enterprise receives his support.