HERMAN H. KORSMEYER, a practical farmer of section 19, township 17, range 12, has been a resident of this farm since 1851, making some very fine improvements in the buildings and on the land. He first purchased 120 acres, the same being his homestead, and has since added to the original farm until he now owns about 600 acres and nearly one-third of that amount is under the plow. He has also engaged in raising stock of the best grades. He came to this county in 1848 and has since made Cass county his home, beginning here as a poor boy working by the month. He later rented land until he purchased his homestead.

Mr. Korsmeyer was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, September 29, 1831. He is the eldest son and child of the family. His parents were John H. and Anna M. (Lovecamp) Korsmeyer, who were both born and reared in Hanover, coming of good German stock. Our subject, when yet a young man, set out for America alone, taking passage in August, 1848, on the sailing vessel Agnes, which landed him in New Orleans after a sixty days' passage. He then came by steamer to St. Louis, and thence to Beardstown. In 1851 the parents, with their other two children, Fred and Anna, set sail from Germany also, and reached Beardstown that same year. They began farming some miles southwest of Beardstown, the father and his eldest son living together, where the father died in 1860. Our subject's mother died in the same place in 1870. She was born in the early part of the present century. She and her husband had always been members of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Korsmeyer was married in this county, to Miss Anna M. E. Knipenberg. She was born in Hanover and was the daughter of Frederick and Maria Knipenberg, who came to the United States as a family in 1848, and settled on a farm in Cass county. Mr. Knipenberg was a carpenter by trade. He and his wife continued to reside here until their death, which occurred when they were old people. They were consistent members of the Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Korsmeyer was young when she came to this country, and she lived with her parents until her marriage. She is a good, true woman, and is highly regarded all through her township. She and her husband are members of the German Lutheran Church, and he is a Republican in his political faith.

He and his wife are the parents of seven children, all living: John H., remaining at home, assisting his father, married to Minnie Boes; Louisa became the wife of Henry Buscher, a farmer in Morgan county; William, a farmer in the same county, married Mary Rogge; Lena M., wife of Herman Rogge, a farmer of Cass county; Henry is a mechanic now at home with his father, but a graduate of Pearson Institute, of LaPorte, Indiana; Anna W., at present with her sister, Mrs. Buscher, of Morgan county; and Sophia, at home.

Mr. Korsmeyer and his wife are highly respected citizens of this county.