Otto C Herman

HERMAN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/20/2009 at 00:27:36

Otto C Herman, Among the young men whose enterprise, business ability and keen foresight have contributed to the up building and prosperity of Boone county as well as to their individual success is numbered Otto C Herman, now a member of the firm of Herman & Jones, 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 abode in Ohio, whence afterward he removed to Wisconsin. There he was married on August 17, 1861, to Miss Anna Spring whose birth occurred in Switzerland May 12, 1837, and who had come to the United States about 1858. For sometime 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 his city, connected with the shoe trade and Otto C.
The last named was educated in the public schools, in which he was graduated in 1889, and then prepared for business life by pursuing a course in Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, Chicago. On leaving that institution he accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Box Manufacturers, Association. In 1891, however he left Chicago and returned to Boone, where he acted as manager of his father’s farm for some time. He then entered the abstract office ofhte firm of Moore & Crooks, where he remained until 1893, when he was made assistant cashier of the Security Savings Band of Boone, continuing in that institution until 186, 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, he 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 in 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. I this undertaking he is associated with Mr Jones, as a member of the first of Herman & Jones. 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 Hrman 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 Saving Bank, a stockholder in the First Nation Bank and director in the Boone Town Lot & Land Company, and a director and the treasurer of the Boone county Telephone Company.
On March 7, 1899 Mr Herman wedded Emily Romme, who was born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, October 30, 1872, a daughter of John Romme, a native of Wisconsin. Her mother bore the maiden name of Miss Johnson, and was also born in the Badger state. Mrs Herman is the eldest of three children, the others being Thomas, now deceased and Bernard J a resident of Idaho. Their mother died in 1880. One child graces the union of our subject and his wife, John Marvin born June 12, 1901. The family is one of the prominence in the community and their pleasant hoe is celebrated for its gracious and charming hospitality. The family attend the Presbyterian church and Mr Herman is a director of the Young Men’s Christian Association He has been and important factor in business circles, and his popularity is well deserved. He is public spirited and thorough y interested in whatever tends to promote the material, intellectual and moral welfare of his native county.

1902 Boone County History Book