Herman’s parents and siblings have never been identified and proven. His lineage and early life remains a mystery. His known history effectively begins with his marriage to Elizabeth Wishart on 28 December 1887 in Nemaha County, Kansas. They initially made their home in Gordon, Sheridan, Nebraska, and then moved to the Upper Valley (Parkdale) in 1895. Here Herman and Lizzie raised their six children, cleared the land, put in strawberries for crops, and built their home and farm. Herman also worked on road construction in both the Upper Valley and Hood River including the hillside drive known as Serpentine. He died, of pneumonia, at Hood River Hospital in the middle of winter, in a screened porch outside, the “treatment” for pneumonia then being “plenty of fresh air.” His birthdate and cited birth location come from his death certificate, with informant being son Rollan. However, no record has ever been found of Herman or his family in the Pittsburgh or surrounding areas. Where he was actually born and grew to manhood, and who his parents were, have yet to be discovered, and the only clue is that he spoke both fluent German and English.
Herman’s parents and siblings have never been identified and proven. His lineage and early life remains a mystery. His known history effectively begins with his marriage to Elizabeth Wishart on 28 December 1887 in Nemaha County, Kansas. They initially made their home in Gordon, Sheridan, Nebraska, and then moved to the Upper Valley (Parkdale) in 1895. Here Herman and Lizzie raised their six children, cleared the land, put in strawberries for crops, and built their home and farm. Herman also worked on road construction in both the Upper Valley and Hood River including the hillside drive known as Serpentine. He died, of pneumonia, at Hood River Hospital in the middle of winter, in a screened porch outside, the “treatment” for pneumonia then being “plenty of fresh air.” His birthdate and cited birth location come from his death certificate, with informant being son Rollan. However, no record has ever been found of Herman or his family in the Pittsburgh or surrounding areas. Where he was actually born and grew to manhood, and who his parents were, have yet to be discovered, and the only clue is that he spoke both fluent German and English.
Gravesite Details
Buried 28 Jan 1928. Age 69
