Enoch Hassebroek. As proprietor of a large general store, at Riley, Kansas, Enoch Hassebroek is a leading factor in the town’s commercial life. The business of modern merchandising is a more or less complex one and experience counts for much. Mr. Hassebroek was carefully trained by his merchant father and for the past fifteen years has been at the head of his own establishment. The modern merchant needs large capital behind him because, an account of the awakened demands of twentieth century customers, he must go to the ends of the world to secure his goods, and he must know how to buy closely, and watchful of the markets, in order to sell profitably. Mr. Hassebroek’s reputation for reliable merchandise has carried his name all over this section of the country. He was born in Ogle County, Illinois, July 4, 1872, and is a son of Casper W. and Ida (Groenhagen) Hassebroek.
Casper W. Hassebroek was born in Oldersum, Prussia-Germany, August 23, 1836, and died in Riley County, Kansas. He was a son of William and Ann (Freerks) Hassebroek, who emigrated to the United States in 1853 and settled in Ogle County, Illinois, where they spent their last years. Their family contained the following children: Fritje, Frederick, Johanna, Wiemke, Casper W., Albretje, David, Grytie and Wilkea. Casper W. was seventeen years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States and to Ogle County, Illinois. In his own land he had attended the excellent schools and in mental preparation was far beyond youths of his own age among the farmer boys in Ogle County. There he followed agricultural pursuits until 1874, when he came to Riley County, Kansas, subsequently purchasing 160 acres, situated in Madison Township. This land he cultivated until 1877, when he came to the Village of Riley where he was one of the pioneer merchants. He was not only a successful merchant and efficient financier, but a man whose strict integrity won for him the esteem and respect of all who knew him. He was one of the founders of many enterprises and the encourager of many civic movements that advanced the place in which he chose to make his home and his name will long be remembered.
While a resident of Illinois, Casper W. Hassebroek was married to Ida Groenhagen, who survives him. She was born in Sickwerum, Ostfriesland, Hanover, Germany, November 17, 1838, and came to the United States with her parents in 1857. To the above marriage the following children were born: William, who died in infancy; Grytie (Hattie), a widow, who is a resident of Riley; Anna, who is the wife of Frank O. Clark, who is a farmer in Madison Township; Hermina, who is deceased; William (2), who is a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah; Enoch; Mary, who is the wife of Doctor Goodwin, of Riley; Lydia, who is deceased; Johannas, who lives at Riley; and Ida, who lives at Clay Center.
Enoch Hassebroek may almost be claimed as a native by Kansas as he was only two years old when brought to the state and has lived here ever since and all his interests are here. He received a good common school education and then entered his father’s store and was trained to be a merchant. In 1901 he embarked in business for himself and now operates a first class general store, conducting it along the same honorable lines that his father established many years ago.
Mr. Hassebroek was married in 1896 to Miss Ellen Griffith, a lady of Welsh ancestry, and they have five children. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a republican and fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Master Mason.