An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893 FRED GASCH, Commissioner of King county, and a resident of Seattle, was born in Helmstedt, Germany, February 20, 1843. He was educated in the schools of that city up to the age of fifteen years, when he was apprenticed for three years to learn the trade of machinist. Completing his term of service, and desiring an opportunity to follow his profession, his attention was turned to the broader possibilities of the United States, and he embarked for New York, thence, by the Panama route, to San Francisco, where he arrived in the fall of 1801. He soon found occupation as machinist in the Miners' Foundry and was employed up to August, 1864, then enlisted in the Sixth California Infantry, and after three months' service at Benicia he was detailed for special service on the line of Panama steamers and there remained up to his discharge in November, 1865. Returning to San Francisco resumed work at the Miners' Foundry and continued until 1870, when he came to Puget Sound, and was there employed at his trade and in various occupations at Seattle, old Tacoma, Port Blakely and contiguous milling points. In 1883 he was elected Councilman from the Second Ward, and chairman of the street committee. In 1888 he was the nominee of the Republican party as County Commissioner was duly elected, and made chairman of the Board, and by re-election in 1800 and ë92 has continued in that capacity, with four years yet to serve. As a Commissioner he was been an enterprising and progressive officer; and, being endowed with foresight and good common sense, his methods have been salutary, and his actions in accord with the wishes of his constituents. With the increase of population his duties have proportionately increased, but are performed with systematic regularity and meet the approval of the people. Under his first term of service the county courthouse was located and constructed, much personal attention being given by him to plans, specifications and work of erection and fitting. The improvements and facilities of the pool farm have been vastly increased, and there protection is given to from forty-five to sixty of the county poor, sixty-two of the 157 acres are under cultivation, and by wise management the farm has become almost self-supporting, county roads have been improved, bridges constructed, and the affairs of the county have progressed with the rapidity of settlement and development. Mr. Gasch was married in San Francisco, in 1869, to Miss Anita Landgrebe, of German descent. Two children have been born of this union, Haida and Fred. C. Socially Mr. Gasch affiliates with the John F. Miller Post, G.A.R., and with the I.O.O.F., of which he was District Deputy Grand Master. When first coming to Seattle Mr. Gasch recognized the advantageous location of the city and the probability of its ultimate vast development, and by the judicious investment of his savings he is now the possessor of valuable business and resident property. During his long political service he has maintained his principles of honesty and fair dealing, and he enjoys the respect of all who know him or are brought in contact with him in business relations. Has been for years and is still President of the German Benevolent Association. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.