BIOGRAPHIES: John Matthew RASSBACH, Prairie Farm, Barron County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Vic Gulickson 5 May 2001 ==================================================================== John Matthew Rassbach prominent man of Prairie Farm Village, member of the county board, three times county sheriff, four years chairman of the town board, vice president of the Prairie Farm Telephone Co., vice president of the Prairie Farm & Northwestern Railroad, and actively interested in many successful ventures, was born in Dane County, Wis., June 4, 1863, the son of J. Casper and Mary S. (Harmon) Rassbach, who brought him to this county in 1867. He attended school in the district his father helped to organize, and learned farming at home. For thirteen winters he worked in the woods and, for three springs he was employed on the river drives. In the meantime, in 1889, he took over the management of the home place. Two years later he took his bride there. To the development and operation of this farm he devoted many years. He put up a fine modern home, a large barn, 36 by 120 feet, with full basement and modernly equipped; a silo, 16 by 35 feet, and other buildings. He carried on general farming and dairying on a successful scale, and reaped a deserved measure of prosperity. Sept. 15, 1919, he sold the farm, and retired. He now lives in Prairie Farm Village, where he has one of the finest residences to be found in this vicinity. It is modern throughout and well arranged. The lawn is well kept and beautified with flowers and shrubbery, and set in a magnificent grove of pine. As already indicated, Mr. Rassbach has seen considerable public life. He early served on school and town boards, and has been an able town chairman. The confidence in which he was held grew with the years, and in 1898 he was honored by his fellow citizens with the election to the office of county sheriff. He was a most efficient and conscientious officer, and after his term had expired, the people waited the legal two years and then elected him again in 1902. Upon the expiration of this term, he retired to private life, but in 1910 was again called to service for another term. He was therefore sheriff of Barron County in 1899-01, 1903-05 and 1911-13. He now represents the village of Prairie Farm on the county board, and his long experience in county affairs makes him a valuable member indeed. He has taken his share in everything that he has believed to be for the best interests of the community, and is identified with various local enterprises, including the telephone company already mentioned. He has been untiring in his efforts to secure railroad facilities for the village. He and his family are numbered among the real leaders in the community. They are active in social, civic and religious affairs, their hospitable home is always open to their friends, and they are liked by all who know them. Mr. Rassbach was married July 9, 1891, to Percey Johnson, who was born in Columbia county, this state, Feb. 19, 1869, the daughter of Martin and Lena Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Rassbach are the parents of five children: Minnie Christine, Jennie Pauline, Nellie Marie, Grace Beatrice and Harry Casper. Jennie Pauline graduated from the Barron High School, married Otto Anderson, of Prairie Farm Township, and died March 20, 1919. Minnie Christine, for some years a teacher, is the wife of William Bond, of Chicago. They have one son, William, Jr., popularly known as "Billy." Nellie Marie, a graduate of the Milwaukee Normal school and for some years a teacher is the wife of Herbert Jenson, of Barron. Grace Beatrice and Harry Casper are at home. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Church. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 388-389.