BIOGRAPHY: Charles RASBACH, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 216
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CHARLES RASBACH, a prosperous and enterprising farmer, is the son of George and 
Katie (Muench) Rasbach, and was born October 20, 1838, in Brotterode, State of 
Schmalkalden, Kurhessen, Germany. He was educated in his native land, receiving 
a good common-school education. At a very early age he learned the trade of 
machinist, and after completing his apprenticeship was employed in an 
establishment engaged in the manufacture of stirrup and bridle bits.
     As is the custom in his native country, at the age of twenty years he 
entered the German army, in which he served eight years. For two years of this 
period he served as corporal, then for another period of two years he was 
overseer in the commissary department, and later acted as supervisor of the 
armory department. At the close of this long and faithful term of military 
service he emigrated to America and located at Birmingham, Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, where he was engaged, first in a lock factory, and later in a 
machine ship. In 1869 he removed to Johnstown, this county, and then came to 
Conemaugh township, where he adopted the pursuit of a farmer. He soon purchased 
a farm of eighty-five acres, in the above township, and has since been actively 
engaged in tilling the soil. His efforts in this direction have been liberally 
rewarded, and Mr. Rasbach reviews with satisfaction the results of his 
industrious life. 
     Mr. Rasbach has been three times married. His first wife was Miss 
Phillippena Soffel, and this marriage was fruitful in the birth of four 
children: August, Charles, deceased; Katie, who now resides in Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, and William, who is at home. As his second wife he married Miss 
Mary Herald, and to this union were born two children: John and George, 
deceased. His third wife was Mrs. Harriet Scanlon, nee Woods, and to this 
marriage union was born one daughter, Annie.
     Mr. Rasbach upholds the principles of the Democratic party, and has always 
taken an intelligent interest in politics, both local and national, but has 
never sought nor held office.
     He is a consistent member of the German Lutheran church, to which 
organization he gives his hearty support.