HERMAN RAWE was born in Hanover, Germany, Dec. 12, 1855, his parents being Joseph and Emma M. (Middendorf) Rawe. Herman lived with his parents as long as he remained in his native country, and was reared to farm life. In November, 1858, Herman took a last farewell of home and relatives and going to Bremen, took passage on a vessel bound for New Orleans. After a voyage of about three months, he arrived at the Crescent city, and immediately took a steamer for St. Louis. He remained there but about a week, and then came to Greene county, and engaged in the employ of Eldred Brothers in Carrollton township. He only remained there three months and then returned to St. Louis, where he began to learn the mason's trade, at which he continued something over two years. He then came back to Greene county and bought 80 acres of land on Sec. 26, T. 10, R. 13, in what is now Bluffdale township. He removed to his present location, on the same section, in the fall of 1878. After coming to the county a second time, Mr. Rawe worked at his trade and carried on farming for a number of years, but now pays all his attention to farming and stock raising. He was married in St. Louis, May 5, 1859, to Mary Pranger, a native of Hanover, and daughter of Henry and Elana (Schneider) Pranger. Mr. and Mrs. Rawe are the parents of six children living; Margaret, wife of Tobias Siemer, living in Carrollton township; Ellen, Elizabeth, Herman, William and Mary. There are three deceased - Benjamin and two named Katrine. When Mr. and Mrs. Rawe first came to this county, a quarter of a century ago, they had scarcely any money, and no capital save willing hands and dauntless energy, but 210 acres now comprise their landed possessions, all of which lie in section 26. They are both members of the Catholic church, and attend at Carrollton. Mr. Rawe's parents are both dead; his mother dying in Hanover, Germany, his father in Calhoun county, Illinois, in 1877. Mrs. Rawe's parents both died at their home in Macoupin county, near Fayette.