Herman Raasch, 85, Is Taken By Death

Was Boy of 7 in First Wisconsin Caravan to arrive in Norfolk

Herman Raasch, Stanton, who was a 7-year-old boy in the first colony of Wisconsin settlers to come to Norfolk in 1866, died Tuesday morning at his home.  He was 85 years old.

Mr. Raasch was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Martin Raasch whose family was one of twenty-eight that traveled in the Wisconsin covered wagon caravan to establish the town of Norfolk.

He spent most of his life in Stanton county where he first engaged in farming and later retired to his home in Stanton,  He wife died many years ago, and for several years his daughter, Mrs. Ella Benning, had made her home with her father.  He also is survived by tow daughters living in Oklahoma, two brothers, Henry, Norfolk, and John, Hadar, and one sister, Mrs. Pfeil, Hoskins.

Death of Mr. Raasch leaves only about twenty-four or twenty-five persons, who came with the first Wisconsin pioneers, still living.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock a the home, and at 2:30 o’clock at St. John’s Lutheran church, the Rev. Herbert Hackbarth, pastor, being in charge.  Burial will be made in the Stanton cemetery.  Source:  The Norfolk Daily News, Wednesday May 15, 1940, page 2.