The Herman Family of Boone County, Iowa

JOHN M. HERMAN.

John M. Herman vas prominently connected with a number of enterprises which helped to make Boone the important center which it is today. He was quiet and reserved in manner, weighing every proposition carefully, but after coming to a conclusion would act aggressively and with decision, pursuing the object which he had in view until he had attained the goal. Mr. Herman was born in Hengstfeldt, Wurtemberg, Germany, December 31, 1830, and there attended school and grew to manhood. Having heard of the opportunities which were waiting those who came to America, he decided upon emigration and in 1846 crossed the ocean. Making his way inland, he settled in Ohio, but the gold fever of the late '40s induced him to make the overland journey to California in 1850. Braving perils and overcoming hardships, he completed the long trip ill one IniiulrLd and five days and after reaching the coast remained two and one-half years in the gold fields, acquiring the capital which enabled him to establish himself in business. He returned by way of the isthmus of Panama and for a few years remained in Ohio but then sought the middle west, locating in Madison and later founding his home in Monroe, Wisconsin, in 1858. He resided at that town for about eight years and came to Boone, Iowa, August 16, 1866, the city remaining his residence until he was called to his fathers. Boone then bore the name of Montana, the village having been founded the year before his arrival. He took active part in its early development and invested in property, soon becoming a prominent man, as he brought with him the means which so many of the other settlers lacked. He established the Boone Brewery, which sold over a wide territory, and continued this establishment until the state adopted the prohibition policy. He then promptly closed its doors, performing the mandate of the law to the letter, although he lost heavily in so doing. He was not a man, however, who could long be idle and soon found other occupations. He acquired title to realty which he developed by improving and building, adding to his prosperity and contributing at the same time to the growth of the city. He was vice president of the First National Bank and also had an interest in the Security Savings Bank. Moreover, he had large farming interests, driving a gratifying addition to his income from this source.

On August 16, 1860, in Monroe, Wisconsin, Mr. Herman was married to Mrs. Anna B. Spring, who was born in Thun, Switzerland, and came to America in 1857. To them were born six children: Emma, a resident of Boone; J. Henry: John F., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Otto C, all of whom are engaged in the banking business: Julia, who died in infancy; and Anna, who passed away in young womanhood.

Mr. Herman died January 15, 1898, at the age of nearly sixty-eight years. In him the city of Boone lost one of its representative citizens and one who had been instrumental in securing for the city many of the conveniences and comforts of modern life. His memory still lingers with his many friends, who appreciated him as a trustworthy and faithful man and a public-spirited citizen. He was one of that race of German-Americans who have done so much for the progress of this country and who form such a secure and dependable part of our nation. The prosperity which came to him and the esteem in which he was held were but tribute to his ability and character.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN F. HERMAN.

The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its commercial activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations, and therefore the real upbuilders of a town are those who stand at the head of the leading enterprises. Mr. Herman, of this review, is closely associated with the shoe trade as a member of the firm of ( 'aider Brothers & Herman, of Boone. He was born in this city March 27, (868, his parents being John M. ami Anna ( Spring) Herman. The father was a native of Germany, born in 1829, while his mother's birth occurred in Switzerland in 1838. It was in the year 1840 that John M. Herman came to the new world, taking up his above in Wisconsin. In 1860 he was joined in wedlock to Anna Spring. They became the parents of five children: Emma, a resident of Boone; J. Henry, who is in the First National Bank of this city; Anna, now deceased; John F., of this review; and O. G, who is in the real estate business in Boone. The year [866 witnessed the arrival of the family in Iowa. and here Mr. Herman established a brewery, which he conducted successfully until [884, his last years, however, being spent in retirement from business cares. He died January 15. 1898.

Mr. Herman, whose name introduces this record, was born in Boone, attended the public schools of the city, and supplemented Inearly educational privileges by study in the low a State College at Ames. Entering upon his business career, he secured a position in the First National Bank as bookkeeper and also spent about one year as deputy in the postoffice. In 1888 he engaged in the shoe business with Canier Brothers, ami this relation has since been maintained, the firm being recognized leaders in this line in Boone. They carry the largest stock of shoes in this part of the state and their business is very extensive and constantly increasing. Mr. Herman is also associated with oilier important enterprises of the city, being a stockholder in the First National Bank and also in the Security Savings Bank. Of the former he is likewise a director; also stockholder in Boone Count) Telephone and the I ',01 me Brick, Tile and Paving Company.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

I. HENRY HERMAN.

J. Henry Herman, cashier of the First National Bank of Boone, Iowa, has advanced by reason of individual merit and ability to his present position. He neglects no duty nor does he heedlessly pass by any opportunity for the development of the interests of the bank or city, and in the legitimate field of business he has won gratifying success. He was born in Monroe, 'wisconsin, October 18, 1864, and is the son of John M. and Anna (Spring) Herman. The father was a native of Hengstfeldt, Wurtemberg, Germany, born on the 31st of December, 1830, and came to this country in 1847. He was among the first settlers in Boone, Iowa, arriving here August 16, 1866, and here he died January 15, 1898. The mother was a native of Thun, Switzerland, born May 21, 1838. She emigrated to America in the '50s and afterward came to Boone, Iowa, with her husband, where she lived until her death, April 23, 1914.

Unto them were born six children: Emma, living in this city: Julia, who died in infancy; J. Henry, the subject of this sketch: Anna B., who died in early womanhood; John F., now cashier of the Security Savings Bank; and Otto C, vice president of the same institution.

J. Henry Herman was a little child when brought by his parents to Boone (then Montana), where he has spent practically all of his life. He was graduated from the public schools here, being the second boy to graduate from the high school, which was in 1883. Later he attended Elliott's Business College at Burlington, completing the course in 1884. He afterward spent a brief period in McPherson, Kansas, looking after some interests for his father, but returned to Boone to accept the position of bookkeeper in the First National Bank, which was being organized, going in on the opening day and remaining with the institution continuously since. He was promoted to assistant cashier in 1888, and in 1890 he became cashier, which position he is now filling. He was also one of the organizers of the Security Savings Bank of this city as well as the City State Bank and the Ogden State Bank of Ogden, Iowa, in all of which institutions he still retains an interest.

Mr. Herman is also interested in some local manufacturing concerns and always contributes to all good causes tending toward the growth of the city in whose future he has always been optimistic and which is evidenced by his holdings of real estate and farm properties adjoining.

On the lath of March, 1899, Mr. Herman was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Ursula Goeppinger, a native of Boone and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ifenry Goeppinger, who are also numbered among the earliest settlers of Boone. After spending their honeymoon in Europe they settled in Boone. To them were born five children: Paul H., born November 26, 1900; Louise A., September 20, 1902; John C, July 10, 1904; Albert L., March 7, 1906; and Helen Henrietta, April 10, 1913.

In politics Mr. Herman has never taken a very active part. Although twice elected as school treasurer, he has never been active in the sense of office seeking, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He holds membership in the Evangelical Lutheran church and is a director of the Commercial Club. He is well known in financial and society circles and possesses many substantial qualities which have won him confidence, regard and good-will in Boone and Boone county, where he has a very large acquaintance and where most of his life has been spent.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

OTTO C. HERMAN.

Among the young men whose enterprise, business ability and keen foresight have contributed to the upbuilding and prosperity of Boone count) as well as to their individual success is numbered Otto C. Herman, now a member of the firm of Herman & Join-. real estate and insurance agents. He was born in Boone February 24, 1871. and is a son of J. M. and Anna (Spring) Herman His father was born in Germany January 1. 1831, and in 1847 crossed the broad Atlantic to the new world, taking up his above in Ohio, whence afterward he removed to Wisconsin. There he was married on the 17th of August 1 8(3 1. to Miss Anna Spring, whose birth occurred in Switzerland May 12. 1837. and who had come to the United States about 1858. For some time the father conducted a brewery in Monroe, Wisconsin, and in 1866 he came to Boone, Iowa, where he built a brewery and continued its operation until 1884. when he retired from active business to a large extent, although he gave his supervision to the management of his farms in Boone county. He had prospered in his undertakings and had made judicious investments in land. His death occurred January 16, 1898. In his family were the following children: Emma, now living in Boone; Julia, who died at the age of three years: J. Henry, who is cashier in the First National Bank of Boone; Anna. who died June 15. 1897; John F.. of this city, connected with the shoe trade; an 1 Otto C.

The last named was educated in the public schools, in which he was graduated in [889, and then prepared for business life by pursuing a course in Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, I chicago. On leaving that institution he accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Box Manufacturers Association. In (891, however, he left Chi- I ' 11 me. "where he acted as manager of his father's farm for some time, lie then entered the abstract office of the firm of Moore & Crooks, where he remained until 1893 when he was made assistant cashier of the Security Savings Bank. continuing in that institution until [896, when he entered the Columbia Law School of New York city, with the intention of making the practice of law his life work. In 1897, however, owing to the death of his sister and the illness of his father, lie was obliged to return home. Upon his father's death he was made administrator of the estate. In 1900 he accepted a position as cashier with the Security Savings Bank, but illness compelled him to resign and after a short time he turned his attention to the real estate and insurance business, in which he has since been engaged. He also places loans and has handled much, valuable property, negotiating important realty transfers. He has a broad and comprehensive knowledge of realty values throughout this part of the country. In this undertaking he is associated with Mr. Junes, as a member of the firm of Herman & Ji mes. They handle Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota lands, as well as much property in Boone. They make loans on farm and city property and have the agency for more insurance companies than any other firm in this part of the country. Mr. Herman is a man of resourceful business ability, and has not limited his efforts to one.line. In connection with his brothers and sister he has planned two additions to Boone, known as Herman's first and second additions. He is also the vice-president of the Security Savings Bank, a stockholder in the First National Bank, a director in the Boone Town Lot Land Company, and a director and the treasurer of the Boone County Telephone Company.

On the 7th of March. 1899, Mr. Herman wedded Emily Romme, who was born in Winnebago county. Wisconsin. October 30, [872, a daughter of John Romme, a native of Wisconsin. Iler mother bore the maiden name of Miss Johnson, and was als born in tin- Badger state. Mrs. Ionian is the eldest of three children, the others being Thomas, now deceased, and Bernard J. a resident of Idaho. Their mother died n: [880, 1 Ine child graces the union of our subject and his wife. John Marvin, born June u, 1901. The family is one of prominence in the community and their pleasant home is celebrated for its gracious ami charming hospitality. The family attend the Presbyterian church and Mr. Herman is a director of the Young Men's Christian Association. He has been an important factor in business circles, and his popularity is well deserved. He is public spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the material, intellectual and moral welfare of his native county.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.