August Rasmus

MEYER, MONTGOMERY

Posted By: Gail Meyer Kilgore (email)
Date: 3/5/2004 at 01:19:49

AUGUST RASMUS is one of the respected and retired residents of Clay Township, Grundy County. His birth occurred June 26, 1840, in Oldenburg, Germany. He was a son of Gerhard F. and Mary A. [Meyer] Rasmus, who lived and died in their native country. Our subject sailed for the United States in 1861, on the vessel “Orpheus,” and was eight weeks on the briny deep. After his arrival here he worked for two years in Orange County, N.Y., on a farm; he then worked by the month in Whiteside County, Ill., but in 1867 came to Iowa, purchased a farm in Marshall County, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, and lived on it until 1875. He then returned to the Old Country on a visit, but in the spring of 1877 returned to Iowa and purchased a farm in Clay Township, it being the one on which he now lives. This comprises two hundred and seventy-five acres of splendid farming land.

January 3, 1877, our subject was united in marriage with Louisa C. Montgomery, a native of St. Joseph, Ind., having been born February 12, 1852, to William and Nancy Montgomery. The father was a native of Virginia and died in Moscow, Iowa, when fifty-four years of age. The mother is still living, making her home with her son John in Marshall County, this state. Our subject is one of seven children, three of whom are yet living. His wife is one of eleven children, six of whom still survive.

One child has come to bless the home and fireside of our subject and his wife, whom they named Sophy E. She was born December 22, 1877, and is attending school in the vicinity of her home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rasmus received good educations in their youth, and hence are ever ready to push forward any movement in an educational way. In April, 1864, our subject was enlisted in the late conflict, enrolling his name in Company D, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Infantry, under the command of Captain Smith. He served several months, engaged in generally bush-wacking expeditions, and was honorably discharged at Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Rasmus are attendants of the Presbyterian Church, to which they are liberal supporters. They are highly respected by all who know them. Mr. Rasmus in his political views is a stanch Republican, and cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln, the father of the party.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894