"Some men are born with a capacity for business which carries them forward to success in anything they undertake. To this class belongs August Kassebaum whose name stands in the head of this sketch. He is not only one of the most prominent business men in St. Louis county, but he is equally prominent as a public officer, and as county collector is now filling one of the most important positions within the gift of the voters of this county. He is a native of Mattese, Carondelet township, and was born August 5, 1864, a son of Henry and Minnie (Brummer) Kassebaum.

In the public schools August Kassebaum acquired the foundation of an education which has assisted him materially in his work. At the age of seventeen years he engaged in the provision business in South St. Louis, under the title of Kassing & Kassebaum. After two years Mr. Kassebaum disposed of his interest and returned to Mattese, where he embarked on his own account in a general mercantile store, of which he has ever since been the head. Two years after opening this business, desiring a wider field for his energies, he engaged in the produce and commission business at No. 811 (now No. 826) North Third street, St. Louis, and has made a marked success of this enterprise, as he handles more farm and garden produce, berries, etc., than any other individual in St. Louis. He was one of the organizers of the Lemay Ferry Bank at Luxemburg, Missouri, in 1907, and has ever since served as a member of the board of directors and also as a member of the finance committee of that institution.

He has taken a lively interest in politics from the time of casting his first ballot, being a consistent advocate of the republican party. Notwithstanding the fact that he has been a republican from his early manhood Mr. Kassebaum was appointed postmaster of Mattese by President Cleveland and held the office until rural mail service was established, being one of the first men to carry mail on a rural route. he served as republican central committeeman until his election to the office of county judge, in 1904, which position he filled for four years, showing an ability that met with the hearty approval of the taxpayers. In November, 1910, he was elected as tax collector of St. Louis county, an office which he now holds. Owing to his long acquaintance with business affairs he is thoroughly adapted to discharge the duties of collector and is doing so with an impartiality and effectiveness that are very satisfactory to the best citizens irrespective of their party affiliation. He has also taken an active part in educational matters and for twenty years past has served as a member of the school board.

In May, 1885, Mr. Kassebaum was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Brummer, who was born in New York city, and to this union eleven children have been born, eight of whom survive, namely: J. Harry, who has charge of his father's business at Mattese; Estella; August, Jr.; Kathrine L.; Louis J.; John G.; Walter J.; and Samuel A., all of whom are at home.

Socially Mr. Kassebaum is identified with the Woodmen of the World and other beneficiary organizations, and he can claim many warm personal friends, not only in fraternal societies, but among all classes of citizens. It has never required any effort for him to make acquaintances, as he is of a genial nature which naturally finds expression in kindly and generous acts. He is a thorough business man, a capable administrator of affairs, always straightforward and just, and therefore is fully entitled to the high respect in which he is held by the people of St. Louis county."

Quoted from biography of August Kassebaum on pages 6 & 7, "History of St. Louis County, Vol. 2." Thomas, William Lyman. 1911, digital copy 2007, Missouri County Histories Collection, Missouri State Library. All images are in the public domain.
http://cdm.sos.mo.gov/cdm/compoundobject/collection/mocohist/id/11452/rec/5

"Some men are born with a capacity for business which carries them forward to success in anything they undertake. To this class belongs August Kassebaum whose name stands in the head of this sketch. He is not only one of the most prominent business men in St. Louis county, but he is equally prominent as a public officer, and as county collector is now filling one of the most important positions within the gift of the voters of this county. He is a native of Mattese, Carondelet township, and was born August 5, 1864, a son of Henry and Minnie (Brummer) Kassebaum.

In the public schools August Kassebaum acquired the foundation of an education which has assisted him materially in his work. At the age of seventeen years he engaged in the provision business in South St. Louis, under the title of Kassing & Kassebaum. After two years Mr. Kassebaum disposed of his interest and returned to Mattese, where he embarked on his own account in a general mercantile store, of which he has ever since been the head. Two years after opening this business, desiring a wider field for his energies, he engaged in the produce and commission business at No. 811 (now No. 826) North Third street, St. Louis, and has made a marked success of this enterprise, as he handles more farm and garden produce, berries, etc., than any other individual in St. Louis. He was one of the organizers of the Lemay Ferry Bank at Luxemburg, Missouri, in 1907, and has ever since served as a member of the board of directors and also as a member of the finance committee of that institution.

He has taken a lively interest in politics from the time of casting his first ballot, being a consistent advocate of the republican party. Notwithstanding the fact that he has been a republican from his early manhood Mr. Kassebaum was appointed postmaster of Mattese by President Cleveland and held the office until rural mail service was established, being one of the first men to carry mail on a rural route. he served as republican central committeeman until his election to the office of county judge, in 1904, which position he filled for four years, showing an ability that met with the hearty approval of the taxpayers. In November, 1910, he was elected as tax collector of St. Louis county, an office which he now holds. Owing to his long acquaintance with business affairs he is thoroughly adapted to discharge the duties of collector and is doing so with an impartiality and effectiveness that are very satisfactory to the best citizens irrespective of their party affiliation. He has also taken an active part in educational matters and for twenty years past has served as a member of the school board.

In May, 1885, Mr. Kassebaum was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Brummer, who was born in New York city, and to this union eleven children have been born, eight of whom survive, namely: J. Harry, who has charge of his father's business at Mattese; Estella; August, Jr.; Kathrine L.; Louis J.; John G.; Walter J.; and Samuel A., all of whom are at home.

Socially Mr. Kassebaum is identified with the Woodmen of the World and other beneficiary organizations, and he can claim many warm personal friends, not only in fraternal societies, but among all classes of citizens. It has never required any effort for him to make acquaintances, as he is of a genial nature which naturally finds expression in kindly and generous acts. He is a thorough business man, a capable administrator of affairs, always straightforward and just, and therefore is fully entitled to the high respect in which he is held by the people of St. Louis county."

Quoted from biography of August Kassebaum on pages 6 & 7, "History of St. Louis County, Vol. 2." Thomas, William Lyman. 1911, digital copy 2007, Missouri County Histories Collection, Missouri State Library. All images are in the public domain.
http://cdm.sos.mo.gov/cdm/compoundobject/collection/mocohist/id/11452/rec/5