Notes by Paul Freise

Annie Freise was born on the Freise farm near New Salem on June 15, 1883, just ten weeks after her parents arrived there from Chicago. She was apparently the first child born in that community of homesteaders. She was confirmed May 21, 1899, by Rev. C. Engler. Annie grew up experiencing the usual activities and chores on the homestead. She was a more quiet individual, hardworking and obedient.

On May 16, 1905, she married Herman Franz Rasch, who had been born in Germany but confirmed in America (North Dakota?) by a Rev. Schunhudt on Oct. 11, 1896. Herman had a homestead a considerable distance north of the Freise farm, bordering on Oliver county. Annie soon filed homestead papers for a quarter-section adjoining his. The Rasch farm was quite isolated. However Annie, being quiet and hard working, did not seem to mind that. She made a trip either to her parental home or to Judson by horse and buggy several times a month.

To Annie and Herman were born three children -- Edna (March 12, 1907), Dorothea (March 22, 1908) and Hugo (March 3, 1923), who had Downes Syndrome.

Herman had chosen fertile land; he shrewdly planted the right crops and luckily had bumper harvests of flax and wheat when prices for those grains were very high, as during World War I. In about 1922, therefore, he sold his land for about $25 per acre, a premium price then, and retired to New Salem. He passed away in 1950 at age 70.

Annie continued to live with her son, Hugo, in their New Salem home until they moved to Elm Crest Manor nursing home in New Salem. After just a few years there she passed away in 1972 at age 89. Hugo continued living at Elm Crest Manor until he passed away in 1981
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