My Genealogy Hound

JOHN GRASHO is a man who presents in himself an example of what can be accomplished by hard work, energetic and well directed efforts and a steady accumulation of savings. He was born in that part of the German empire known as Prussia, May 28, 1837, being a son of Frederick and Louisa (Lempky) Grasho. Frederick Grasho (father) was a native of Germany, born in 1809, and emigrated to America in 1858, locating in Chautauqua county, this State, where he obtained employment as a day laborer. He died in April, 1889, in the eightieth year of his age. Frederick Grasho married Louisa Lempky and by her had children. She was born in Germany, in 1817, and now resides in Hanover, this county. John Grasho spent the first two decades of his life in his native land, and received an education in the common schools of Baden. In 1857, during the second great financial panic which agitated America, he came to these shores and located temporarily in Erie county, this State, where he remained six months. He admits an intimate acquaintance with impecuniosity, for he walked from Buffalo to Hanover, this county, because he lacked the necessary funds wherewith to pay his fare. Immediately on his arrival here in Hanover, he began work by the day, then secured employment by the month on a farm where he remained about five years, and then leased a farm and cultivated it on shares. In 1867 he had accumulated enough money to purchase a part of the farm he now occupies, and two more payments for additional portions, made him the owner of one hundred and forty-eight acres. Beside this farm he owns another comprising ninety-two acres, located in Hanover Centre. The farm on which he resides, is well improved, and a portion of it is within the corporation boundary of Silver creek, which materially enhances its value. In addition to his farming operations he buys immense amounts of hay, which, with several tons he cuts on his own land, he sells to the stock-yards in Buffalo. He is now in the enjoyment of a comfortable bank account, and is a successful man. In political matters he is a democrat, and in religion is a member of the German Lutheran church.

John Grasho was married in 1862 to Minnie Loss, of this county, by whom he has three children, one son and two daughters: Charles; Ellen, who married C. J. Neuendorf, of Silver Creek; and Lizzie.