Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 330 - 331

Mrs. Cornelius Brass, a widow, living on section 3, Herman Township, was born in the town of Freckenstadt, in Wohngerode, province of Hanover, Germany, on the 11th of April, 1844. When a child of four years she accompanied her parents across the Atlantic, the journey lasting for thirteen weeks. She is one of eleven children, whose father was Christian Strassburger. He settled with his family in Herman Township in 1847. Eight of the children are still living. Ernest is a farmer in the town of Sheboygan; Augusta married William Prange, who farms in Sheboygan Township; Willie works on the farm with his Uncle Herman in Mosel Township; Minnie became the wife of John Stoerker, who is a farmer of Plymouth Township; Herman now resides on the first homestead owned by our subject's husband in Mosel Township, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres, eighty in Herman and eighty in Mosel Townships, and was purchased in 1847; Emma wedded Robert Poppendieck, a farmer of Herman Township; and Bertha became the wife of Fred Luecke, of the same township.

Mrs. Brass received a common-school education in this neighborhood, and remained at home until December 15, 1863, when she was united in marriage with Cornelius Brass. It was about forty years ago that he purchased the site on which his family now reside, which property through the efforts of his noble wife has become of great value and beauty. The father and husband departed this life January 5, 1876. He watched his family of nine children develop into bright and sturdy men and women. Eight of the children are still living. Bertha, the eldest, married John Meier, a farmer of Meeme Township, Manitowoc County; Herman now owns the farm directly opposite his mother's place, a tract of some one hundred acres; Julius learned the trade of a butcher; Otto, now a resident of Seymour, Wis., owns a runs a cheese factory and store; Lena married Willie Buscher, who owns a cheese factory in the town of Eden; Emma wedded Carl Hahn, who is in company with his brother Otto in the manufacture of cheese in Seymour, Wis.; and the two youngest, Gustav and Cornelius, live at home.

Of the original homestead only some fifteen acres yet remain covered with timber, and Mrs. Brass deserves great credit for the noble efforts she has made to carry on the many interests which her husband left at the time of his death. That she is a lady of unusual business ability may be observed by any one who strolls about her well-kept and carefully managed farm. She and her family are attendants at the German Evangelical Church, and as a noble Christian lady she endeavors to do her whole duty by her fellow-men, and has brought up her children to lead good and useful lives.

During his lifetime, Mr. Brass was a School Director and Treasurer. He was born May 18, 1838, in Hickeswagon, Prussia, being one of five children. He came to the United States with his parents when a lad of sixteen years. On coming to this country his father purchased the farm which is now the property of Mrs. Brass. He was identified with the Republican party, and was a public-spirited citizen.

Return to the Sheboygan Page

Return to Bios page