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Below is a family biography included in The History of Gasconade County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Hermann Sobbe, a prominent citizen and extensive wine-grower of Morrison, Gasconade Co., Mo., was born in Salzkotten, Germany, February 21, 1841. His parents were William and Agnes von Sobbe, nee Meyer, also residents of that place. The father, William von Sobbe, was born in August, 1803, and died at the age of fifty-six, in 1859, at which time he was serving his country in the capacity of postmaster, at Salzkotten. The mother, Agnes von Sobbe, nee Meyer, was born in 1799, and ended this life July 4, 1851. The elder Sobbe served his country in the army as lieutenant. Of this union two children were born: Hermann, the elder (the subject of this sketch), and August, and they were educated in the schools of their native place. After completing their course Hermann served as apprentice in a mercantile house, after which he enlisted in the Prussian army, participating in the war with Denmark. After the war, securing his leave of absence, he immigrated to America, locating at this place in the year 1864, where he at once engaged in farming. In 1867 he began the culture of grapes, which proved so successful that he discontinued agricultural pursuits to devote his entire time to the latter. In the spring of 1866, at the time of the Austrian War, he again returned to Germany, to report for duty to the Prussian Government. In the fall of the same year, returning to this country with his young wife, Ferdinandine, nee Kerchoff, he again took up his profession—farming. Of this union two children were born, who, however, preceded their mother in death, which occurred in January, 1869. In March, 1878, Mr. Sobbe married Miss Ottilie Rommel, of Hermann, Mo., his present wife. Of this union two children were born: Hugo and Hedwig. Besides being engaged in the culture of grapes he is also engaged in the nursery business, as a member of the firm of Rommel & Sobbe, whose business extends all over the United States. He is a member of Lodge No. 123, A. F. & A. M., and Robert Bloom Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F. both of Hermann, Mo., and is a Republican in politics. In this connection it is fitting that a short sketch be inserted of Mr. Sobbe’s cousin, Julius Meyer, who was instrumental in laying out the town of Morrison. He was born near Salzkotten, but owing to the death of his parents, which occurred when he was quite young, he was taken into the family of his aunt, Mr. Sobbe’s parents. In the year 1861 he came to America, locating in Montgomery County, staying, however, only a short time, when he returned to Germany. Again returning to America, he located at Morrison, in 1864. In 1868 he married Miss Emelina Ahrns, a native of Missouri, by whom he has two children, Walter and Mathilda.

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This family biography is one of 146 biographies included in The History of Gasconade County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Gasconade County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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