From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"Mr. E. R. Hasselbring, one of the best known in Germany in 1856, where he learned the cigar-making trade. Being musically inclined, he studied music at the same time, under the celebrated orchestra leader, Prof. Ascher, at Hamburg. He came to Chicago in 1887, where he opened a retail and wholesale store. At the same time he used his musical talent and played in a number of the leading Union Bands of Chicago in 1887. He came to Harlem in 1893, engaging in the cigar manufacturing business, but as his reputation as a talented musician increased, he was compelled his business interest for that of his chosen profession.
"Mr. Hasselbring has his own brass band, also an orchestra. His entire family being musically inclined, he has organized from this own family what is known as The Hasselbring's Family Orchestra. It consists of himself, his son Henry, and his daughters Lily and Madga. This orchestra is his specialty. Its reputation extends far and wide. They play not only in the village but in Chicago and many other cities. Of this orchestra Henry and Miss Lily are noted violin soloists.
"Mr. Hasselbring is very active and strenuous in his work. While he has the reputation of being a good cigar makers and a goo musician he also has the reputation of being a good law maker. He has been elected by the people to two terms of office as village trustee, first in 1903 and second in 1905. Mr. Hasselbring is an active member of a number of fraternal and social societies. He has been awarded several medals by them for his excellent work. He was married in Germany to Miss Caroline Welken, who died in 1887. For their marriage were born five children -- Louise, Mata, Emma, Henry and Madga. In 1889 he married Miss Mathilda Thoman. They have one daughter, Lily, which makes up of the brightest and happiest families in the village."