AUGUSTUS MAISCH, a highly respected German citizen who has been identified with the business interests of Lena for the last thirty-two years, spent his childhood and youth across the sea in the Grand Duchy of Baden, twelve miles from the famous city of Baden-Baden, which is considered the most beautifully situated of all the German watering-places. His home was about six miles from the River Rhine, whose blue waters often delighted his childish eyes and which he, to this day, recalls with tender remembrance. His eyes often rested upon the quaint buildings which many of the people of this continent often read about but never see. His later voyage across the ocean and visit to his native land afforded an experience with which he would not willingly part.

In accordance with the laws and customs of his native Empire, young Maisch was placed in school when a child six years of age, and continued his studies until fourteen. He then learned the art of dyeing from his father who was an expert at that trade, and handled all kinds of choice materials brought to him by the wealthy people around, and which, in color at least, he made as good as new. When eighteen years of age Augustus started out for himself, being occupied in his calling in different places east and west of his own Province. Finally he decided in his own mind to seek another country for his future operations, where there was a possibility of advancement, and of materially bettering his condition in life. He started by rail from Baden to Manheim, thence by steamer to Rotterdam, and from there in a like manner to London. Once upon the wharves of the great city he boarded a sailing-vessel bound for New York, and after a voyage of six weeks greeted what was then to the emigrant the “promised land.” He spent eleven months in New York City in a silk goods factory, and was afterward similarly engaged in Boston for eighteen months. Becoming tired of the “hub” he obtained good recommendations from his employer and went to South Hadley Falls, Mass., following his vocation there and in different parts of Massachusetts until 1855.

Mr. Maisch now determined upon a radical change in his mode of life. Starting for the West he landed in Northern Illinois and purchased sixty acres of timber land in West Point Township. His first business was to put up a shelter for himself and family, for which purpose he purchased a few boards and erected a shanty twelve feet square, which, however, did not afford much protection from the rain, and to shield themselves from this element at night they spread a rubber blanket over the bed and held an umbrella over themselves. A few months later Mr. Maisch was enabled to build a good frame house, into which the family removed and passed the winter very comfortably. In the meantime he proceeded with the cultivation of his land, from which he had cleared the timber. His farm work was chiefly performed with oxen, as he had no horses. With these animals he went to market, and conveyed his family to church for a period of six years.

Our subject occupied the farm thus developed until about 1866, then selling out removed to Freeport and resumed his trade in a woolen-mill, where he was occupied seven years. He then became connected with a grain and tobacco warehouse where he was employed four years, and soon afterward removed to Lena, where he retired from business and has since lived.

When Mr. Maisch landed upon American shores he possessed the cash capital of four silver dollars. To-day he is a wealthy man and has accumulated his property mainly through his own efforts, receiving but $1,000 from his father’s estate. He has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Lovey Hall, was a native of New Hampshire, and the daughter of Elijah Hall, of Strafford County. She departed this life on the 16th of August, 1882. Mr. Maisch was married the second time, June 19, 1886, to Miss Olga Asal, a native of his own country.

Mr. Maisch, in 1884, visited his native land and spent the summer among the friends of his childhood and youth. The meeting on both sides was extremely pleasant and a source of great satisfaction to all concerned. As a representative German citizen, and a pioneer of this county, Mr. Maisch is held in great respect, both for his excellent personal qualities, and his ability as a member of the business community which he has so greatly aided in building up, and in which he has been an important factor for many years. In politics he is independent.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. 1888