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Casper W. Hassebroek. The subject of this sketch is one of the few men who have made a success, financially in mercantile pursuits. He is one of the pioneers in the business at Riley, Riley County, (KS) and is not only capable and efficient as a financier, but a man whose strict integrity has established him in the esteem and confidence of all who know him. Of German birth and parentage, his native place was in Oldersum, Prussia and he first opened his eyes to the light Aug. 23, 1836. In accordance with the laws and customs of his native land, he was placed in school as an early age and given a thorough education in the German tongue. When a youth of seventeen years, he emigrated, with his parents, to America and settled in Ogle County, Ill, where he followed farming until 1874.

During the above mentioned year, Mr. Hassebroek crossed the Mississippi and established himself in Riley County, Kan., purchasing 160 acres of land on section 2, Madison Township. He carried on the cultivation and improvement of this land until 1877, then abandoning farm pursuits and going to Riley Centre, engaged in general merchandising, at which he continued until 1887 at that place. Then he changed his residence to Riley and continued business as before.

While a resident of Illinois, Mr. Hassebroek was married to a lady whose maiden name was Ida Groenhagen, of Ogle County, Ill. Mrs. Hassebroek was born in Sickwerrum, Ostfriesland, in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, Nov. 17, 1838 and came to American with her parents in 1857. Of her union with our subject there have been born ten children. viz: William, Grytie, Anna, Hermina, William, Enoch, Maria, Lidea, Johannes and Ida.

The parents of our subject were William and Anna (Freerks) Hassebroek, both of whom were native of Germany, and who spent their last years in Ogle County, Ill. Their family consisted of nine children. viz: Fentje. Freerk. Janna. Wiemke. Casper W., Albretje, David, Grytie and Wilken.

Contributed by Arletta Webster

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