G. August H. Hertzer

G. August H. Hertzer

G. AUGUST H. HERTZER, M.D., section 10, Big Prairie Township, was born Aug. 25, 1829, in Saxony, Prussia, which was also the native province of his parents. His grandfather, John Godfrey Hertzer, was of princely descent, coming in a direct line from the barony of Hertzer, and born about 1743. The father John Godfrey Christian Hertzer, was born Aug. 4, 1799. The mother, Carolina Elizabeth Hertzer, was born Aug. 25, 1805.

Mr. Hertzer was brought up in accordance with the customs of his native land, and served two years (from 1849 to 1851) in the Prussian army. He landed in New York April 28, 1853, and after a stay of one week there went to Long Island and remained ntil the fall of that year, when he went to Luzerne Co., Penn., and soon after removed to Buffalo, N.Y. His next remove was to Livingston Co., Mich., where he resided three years. He went next to the Province of Ontario, and from there came to Pontiac, Oakland County, whence he came ot Newaygo County, for a permanent residence. He reached here Aug. 12, 1871, and entered a claim of 160 acres, and has since bought 80 acres additional. Of this, 80 acres are cleared and under cultivation. His farming land includes 40 acres on the prairie, all under improvements.

In political affiliation Mr. Hertzer is a Democrat. He claims to be a double-dyed Yankee, having taken out naturalization papers May 18, 1856, at Buffalo, N.Y., which were destroyed; and he was under the necessity of taking out a second set, which were made by Hon. C.C. Fuller, and filed by Mr. Cole, County Clerk.

Mr. Hertzer was married in Germany, to Apollonia Barth. She was born on the Midder River at Saulheim by Mainz, June 22, 1819. Of six children born of this marriage one is living, - Caroline, born July 7, 1853, on Long Island. the mother died in Livingston Co., Mich. Mr. Hertzer was married to his present wife Feb. 9, 1865, at Detroit. she was born in Meisenheim in the county (Landgrafschaft) of Hesse-Hornburg, March 13, 1843; and was the widow of Charles Mitchell, by whom she had one son, - Carl, born Oct. 29, 1863, in New York. The maiden name of Mrs. Hertzer was Charlotte Henrietta Feickerth, and she is a daughter of William and Magdalena (Illges) Feickerth. Mr. and Mrs. Hertzer have nine children, namely, John, August, Apollonia, Sarah, Henry August, Lusina, Fritz August, Apollonia, Sarah, Henry August, Della and Godfrey August.

Mr. Hertzer was an allopathic physician in his native country, and in regular practive until he came to America; has continued the exercise of his profession more or less since. His grandfather was in the Saxony recruits of Napoleon's army, and with his chief at Moscow and at Leipsic; was a regularly trained and educated soldier.

Return to Home Page

Return to Pioneers