John Rasmess (1857-1922)

RASMESS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 09:19:24

John Rasmess
(November 8, 1857 – July 22, 1922)

This well known successful farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 8, Calhoun Township, came to this country in 1876, and
has since been prominently identified with its agricultural interests. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born near Stavanger, Norway, November 8, 1857, and spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native land. He then emigrated to the United States and took up his residence in Lee County, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for a time. He subsequently spent a few years in DeKalb County, that state, where he was similarly employed.
In 1881 Mr. Rasmess came to Calhoun County, Iowa, and purchased the farm where he now resides, but soon returned to DeKalb County, Illinois, where he was married, March 9, 1882, to Miss Mattie M. Knudson, a native of Denmark, who came to the new world with her mother during childhood and was reared in DeKalb County. Four children bless this union, namely: Minnie A., Edith R., Mabel J. and John Logan, born March 3. 1902. Soon after their marriage Mr. Rasmess and his bride started for their new home in Iowa, and to the cultivation and improvement of his farm he has since devoted his energies. He has since built a good substantial residence, one of the best in Calhoun Township, has erected convenient out buildings, has set out fruit and shade trees and has made many other useful and valuable improvements upon the place. Some years ago he became interested in shorthorn cattle, commencing in a small way with some pure blooded stock, and today has a fine herd of seventy, mostly of the Cruikshank strain. This herd includes several head of registered cattle and is one of the finest in this section of the country. Mr. Rasmess, on the 27th of March. 1902, purchased for the sum of fourteen hundred dollars, Dalmeny Princess, 9th, a red heifer that took the second prize as a yearling at Edinburgh. Scotland, and is beyond question one of the finest bred cattle in the state. Mr. Rasmess has a wide reputation as a breeder of pure blooded cattle and is well known throughout Iowa and adjoining states as a successful and reliable dealer. To his farm he has added an additional tract of one hundred and sixty acres. Politically he is a stanch Republican, having supported every presidential candidate of that party since casting his first vote for James G. Blaine, but he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, though he did serve a couple of terms as commissioner of highways. Both he and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith, but now attend the various churches. They are people of the highest respectability and have a host of warm friends. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.374]