HERMAN HOBROCK, one of the most prominent and influential German farmers of his township, is the proprietor of over 603 acres of land, lying in Scott and Morgan counties. He rents a part of this, and has in his homestead 320 acres under a fine state of cultivation and embellished with modern buildings. The residence is especially fine and stands in the midst of beautiful grounds, making one of the most delightful homes that heart could wish. The barns and other outbuildings are in keeping with the well known enterprise and ample means of the proprietor. Mr. Holbrook si a man popular in his community, and his amiable wife is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and fine traits of character. Their's is apparently a model home, where affection may bid defiance to the outside world, being in itself a safeguard amid the troubles and afflictions of life.
Mr. Hobrock was born in what was at that time the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, June 8, 1842, and at an early age was placed in school and pursued his studies quite uninterruptedly until a youth of fourteen years. A year later, in the fall of 1857, he and his parents started for America, taking passage on the sailing vessel "Industry" at Bremen, which landed them, after a voyage of eleven weeks and five days, in the city of New Orleans. Thence they made their way to the vicinity of Beardstown, Illinois, where the father secured a tract of land, and in the cultivation of which our subject assisted until he was twenty-one years old.
Young Hobrock at this time, having in view the establishment of a home of his own, commenced farming on rented land in Cass County, where he remained two years. He had in the meantime, with genuine German thrift and prudence, saved a snug little sum of money, and now purchased 160 acres of land in Meredosia Precinct, upon which he operated until 1870. Then selling this he purchased 120 acres which he still owns. He brought about all the improvements upon his farm, and one year operated a sawmill in Meredosia. This, however, he soon abandoned, it not being congenial to his tastes, and thereafter gave his whole attention to agricultural pursuits.
In the spring of 1887 Mr. Hobrock purchased the improved farm of 320 acres which constitute his present homestead and to which he soon afterward removed, renting his other land. This farm is beautifully located and is mostly level ground, lying about four miles from Naples and the same distance from Bluffs. A fine windmill conveys water to whatever point required, and there are all the other modern conveniences required by the enterprising and progressive agriculturist. He raises corn and wheat and graded stock, also buys and feeds cattle and swine in large numbers. Mr. Hobrock is able to lay by a snug sum of money as the result of his labors.
Our subject was married at the bride's home near Meredosia, in Cass County, March 8, 1865, to Miss Eliza Kramas, who was born in Cass County, this State, and is now the mother of six children, viz.: Henry, Fred, Caroline, Annie, Emma and William. They are all at home with their parents. Mr. Hobrock votes the straight Republican ticket, but aside from officiating as School Director and Clerk of the Board, has very little to do with public affairs. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church at Meredosia and one of its most liberal contributors, assisting generously in the erection of the church edifice and officiating as Trustee at the time of its erection. While in Meredosia he was for a number of years Superintendent of the Sunday School.
Christian Hobrock, the father of our subject, was, like himself, a native of Hanover and the son of Haman Hobrock, who was of pure German stock and spent his entire life in the Fatherland. Christian was a carpenter and joiner, also a contractor, and operated a small farm. In 1857 he came to America and located near Beardstown, in Cass County, this State, where he purchased land and grew very prosperous as a farmer, finally becoming the owner of 200 acres. He brought this to a good state of cultivation and lived there until 1872, then sold out and retired from active labor. He now makes his home with his son, out subject, and has arrived at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He has been an honest and hard-working man, and is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church. The wife and mother, Mrs. Mary (Erk) Hobrock, was likewise born in Hanover, and coming to America with her family, died in Beardstown, this state, in 1872, at the age of sixty-four years. Their four children were Annie and Henry, residents of Cass County; Herman, our subject, and Victor, a resident of Beardstown.