The Momence Progress, June 6, 1924
CARL RACHE DEAD
Carl Rache was born in Germany February 22, 1834 and died in Momence, Illinois May 31, 1924 at the age of 90 years, 3 months, and 9 days. He came to America in 1851 and settled on a farm near Grant Park where he lived until 11 years ago, when he moved to Momence where he has since resided.
He was married to Margaret Menke in 1864. To this union six children were born, one of whom died in infancy. His wife preceded him in death 13 years ago. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Caroline Burns of Kankakee; and 4 sons Frederick of Momence, Henry and John of Grant Park, and William of Fairmont, Minnesota. Also 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Owing to extreme age, Mr. Rache has been in failing health for several months, during the last two months of which he was confined to his bed.
Funeral services were held at the home of his son Frederick in Momence Monday June 2 at 1 o’clock Reverend O.I. Truitt officiating. Internment was made in the Union Corners Cemetery.
These pages are a collaborative effort between Bill Maass and his cousin Rhonda Rasche. Rhonda has provided the majority of the photos and information about the Rasches and these pages would not be possible without her.
I will update and correct this brief biography of the family as I receive more information from Rhonda.
Carl and Margaret Rascher came to this country from Germany. Carl later shortened the family name to Rasche. Carl and Margaret had six children: Hermann (died in infancy at two days old), Henry, John, William, Fred, and Caroline. Carl had a farm northwest of the town of Grant Park,IL in Sumner Township. There were actually two plots of land that he owned according to the platte map. Originally one of these plots was farmed by his daughter Caroline and her husband William C. Maass. Because of debts and hardships, this land passed to Carl after William's death at an early age of 33, leaving Caroline with 5 young children. Caroline moved to Kankakee where she obtained a job at the Kankakee State Hospital as an aide. This is the lineage that I come from as Caroline was my great-grand mother.
John Rascher kept the original family spelling which is reflected on his headstone. John was never married and was the farmhand for the Heusing family.
William Rasche moved to Minnesota where he has left many descendants. We are attempting to make a connection with the family there to finish that branch of the tree. William did maintain close contact with the family he left behind in Illinois. When his sister Caroline was under severe financial hardship, she sent her son William B. Maass to live with his 'Uncle Bill Rasche' in Minnesota. It was from this location that he joined the service and was sent overseas to fight in WW1.
Henry inherited the farm from his father upon his death and continued to farm it passing it down to his son, Edwin. This is the lineage that Rhonda comes from as Henry was her great-grandfather.
The last brother Fred, we are currently attempting to get more information on. He shows up in a Momence, IL census and is believed to have moved to California.