CASPER STOCK, general farmer on section 34, of the precinct of Beardstown, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, 1832. He was the son of Thomas and Margaretta (Shaffer) Stock, who both came of old Hesse families of pure German blood. Thomas was reared to the business of distiller and was thus engaged until he came to the United States. He and his wife with their two children came from Bremen and landed in Baltimore after a six weeks' voyage in a three-mast sailing vessel. After the usual trip they arrived in Beardstown, October 26, 1836. The father purchased and settled a year latter on land in the precinct of Arenzville, which he cultivated successfully until his death, March 14, 1846. He was a good hard-working man and was very ambitious, but did not live long enough to realize his hopes. His wife is still living with her son, Thomas, Jr., on the old homestead. She is eighty-one years of age, but is quite active and mentally strong. She and her husband were all their lives members of the German Lutheran Church.

Casper was brought to this county when four years of age and was raised as a farmer. He has always been a resident of this county and one of its most worthy German citizens. He is a quiet, unassuming man, and when he took charge of his farm the land was raw and unbroken, but by quiet, persevering effort he has made it one of the finest places in the county. He owns 260 acres, all improved. He has lived on the place for thirty-six years and has owned it for twenty-six.

He was married in Cass county to Catherine Seeger of Ohio, and came when very young to Cass county with her parents. Her father, Henry Seeger, is a retired merchant who lives in Beardstown. He is one of the old German settlers and came to the United States in 1830, living in Beardstown since 1849. He was for years a merchant there and his wife died in the same place. Mrs. Stock is one of five children, all living. Mr. and Mrs. Stock are the parents of three children: Henry, a farmer of Beardstown, married to Minnie Hansmeir; Mary Pilger, living in Beardstown; Rosa Hinners married a farmer of Arenzville precinct. Mr. and Mrs. Stock attend the Lutheran Church and are good, prosperous people. Mr. Stock is a member of the Democratic party.