Dr. Edward Hermann
 

History of Kentucky and Kentuckians, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes,
Lewis Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, Vol. III,
pp. 1208-09.   (Campbell County)


Although belonging to the younger generation of medical practitioners, Edward Hermann, M. D., has already taken an assured position among those who so ably represent the profession in the city of Newport. 

He was born here June 10, 1879, his parents being Joseph and Caroline (Blesch) Hermann.  The mother was a native of Kentucky, though of German extraction, but Joseph Hermann was born in the Fatherland and came to the United States in 1858.  The story of how he finally came to take up his residence in Newport is an interesting one, although it was by no means an agreeable one for the gentleman most concerned. 

Upon casting his fortunes with the United States Joseph Hermann located in New York city,
where he secured employment.  At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted, September 24, 1861, in Company K of the New York Volunteer Infantry, and after having served two years was discharged in May, 1863.

On August 24 of that same year Joseph made his second enlistment, in Company L of the Fifteenth Regular New York Volunteer Heavy Artillery.  He was in a great many engagements and saw a great amount of hard fighting, his service to his adopted country being at the expense of great physical well-being, for he was wounded early in 1865, lost the sight of one eye while in service, and became a sufferer from rheumatism.  He was mustered out August
30, 1865, at Dukamp Hospital on Davis Island, where he had been sent to recover from his disabilities. 

After Joseph had returned to the great metropolis in which he had begun his American career he looked about him for a business opening and went into partnership with a Hebrew in the
manufacture and sale of leather pocketbooks.  The business proved exceedingly prosperous, and for several years Mr. Hermann was upon the road as salesman and he amassed a property worth several thousand dollars. Upon his return from an extended trip over the country what was his chagrin to find that his partner had converted everything into cash during his absence and had decamped. 

Joseph immediately started out in pursuit, what clues he had taking him westward, and finally he landed in Newport in a state of great financial stringency, and although he perhaps did not suspect it at the time, the town was to prove his future home.  He secured work and after he
had got well upon his feet again, figuratively speaking, he engaged in the hotel business in Newport, playing the pleasant role of landlord for a number of years and with entire success and popularity. 

Joseph died very suddenly February 27, 1910, from a stroke of apoplexy suffered while at the
supper table.  He is regretted by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and nowhere more than in William Tell lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he was treasurer for about twenty years.

     Mrs. Caroline Hermann survives her husband, being now about sixty years of age.  Although she was born in Newport, her parents were natives of Germany, her father, Sebastian Blesch, having come to American when a young man, and upon settling in Newport, married here and here engaged in merchant tailoring.  He carried this on successfully and was known as one of the well-known business men in the early days. 

Joseph and his wife, Caroline, were the parents of nine children, of whom four sons and three daughter are living at the present time.  Dr. Hermann, whose name initiates this review, being fourth in order of birth.

     Dr. Edward Hermann was reared in Newport and is indebted to the excellent public schools of the city for his early educational advantages. Graduated from the high school at the age of seventeen, it was not long before he came to a decision as to his future career and accordingly at the age of twenty began the study of medicine.  In 1903, when he was twenty-four years of age, he received his degree from Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, and has ever since carried on his practice in his native place, where he has received gratifying recognition of his talents in ministering to the ills of suffering humanity. 

He is one of the staff of Speer's Hospital of Dayton, Kentucky, and is a member of the American Medical Association and the Kentucky State and Kenton-Campbell County Medical Societies.

     Mr. Hermann is Republican in politics, particularly in national and state affairs, but in those of local import he has independent tendencies, voting for whom he believes to be the best man rather than the party he favors.  In the year 1905-6 he served as district physician, bringing no
small amount of ability to the discharge of the duties of this office.  He is a member of the great Masonic fraternity and also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of American.

     Dr. Hermann laid the foundation of a happy home life by his marriage on June 29, 1906, to Miss Otillia Shaefer.  She is a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph Shaefer, who died when she was an infant.


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