From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 103-104
 
JOHN HERR.  This gentleman is a native of that country whose citizens are noted for their 
industry, frugality and honesty - Germany - and throughout life he has shown that he is 
possessed of these worthy characteristics in an eminent degree.  He is extensively engaged in 
the saw mill business, and is also a contractor and builder of ability, and has reared monuments 
to his skill and ability that will remain long after he has passed away.  He was born on the 2d of 
February 1848, the only child born to Frederick and Augusta HERR, who came to America in 
1849, and for two years resided at Syracuse, N.Y.  At the end of that time they located on forty 
acres of land near Beaver Dam, Wis., of which locality they were among the early settlers, but at 
the end of one year the father's career was closed by death.  The subject of this sketch continued 
to reside on this farm with his mother, and at the age of twelve years took upon his slender and 
youthful shoulders the burden and care of the farm, and when only fifteen years of age he cradled 
and bound all the grain that was raised thereon, working frequently until midnight in order to 
accomplish all that should be done.  The life, although a very hard one for a youth, taught him 
many useful lessons, and at an early day he learned to be self-reliant and thoughtful beyond his 
years.  He remained on the farm until 1871, then sold the place and came to Beaver Dam, his 
mother having died a short time previously, and here devoted $450 to the purchase of three acres 
of land about three blocks from the main street, and afterward purchased another lot adjoining, 
for which he paid the sum of $300.  The first season that he spent in Beaver Dam he worked for 
G. GOULD, a nurseryman, receiving for his services 75 cents per day.  After leaving Mr. 
GOULD's employ he began working at the carpenters' trade, and continued thus to labor for two 
or three years under various contractors, when he began to do odd jobs for himself, and gradually 
worked into contracting and building.  By dint of energy, industry and close application he 
prospered, and in 1877 became the owner of a small planing plant, which he operated by horse-
power, and which he frequently moved to the country to get out lumber for houses and barns, the 
contract for which had been given him.  His investment in this mill proved a very profitable one, 
for he operated it constantly during the season, and when business was dull in building circles, 
not to be idle, he turned his attention to operating a threshing machine, and for twelve years was 
so engaged during  the harvesting season.  During the winter months he worked at the coopers' 
trade; in fact, no season found him idle, and by thus laboring early and late, and by the unlimited 
exercise of both brain and brawn, his possessions began to assume substantial proportions, so 
that in 1882 he was enabled to erect a commodious planing mill, equipped with all necessary 
machinery and operated by steam.  To this business his attention has been devoted ever since, 
and at the present time he has the largest plant of the kind in Beaver Dam, and in addition carries 
on an extensive contracting and building business.  Some of the substantial buildings which were 
erected by his skillful hand were Warren College, the Beaver Dam High School building, the First 
Lutheran Church, and the residences of Theo. HUTH, Peter BEULE, M. ERWAY and numerous 
others in and around Beaver Dam.  At the present his attention is being devoted to the erection of 
a new hotel building in the town, which promises to be a substantial and well-constructed 
building, as are all the buildings which Mr. HERR erects.  He is doing an annual business of 
$30,000, and he has the unbounded satisfaction of knowing that his present substantial position 
in the business world is due to his own worthy qualities, far-seeing judgment and determination 
and energy to push all his undertakings to a successful issue.  His efforts have been crowned 
with success, and deserve and have the utmost respect from all right-thinking people.  His 
planing mill is kept constantly busy on his own work, and in addition to the various other 
enterprises to which his attention is given, he is engaged in the manufacture of bee hives, 
sections and feed cutters during the winter season.  In 1869 he was first married to Kate KEIL, a 
native of Pennsylvania, by whom he became the father of four children: Annie, Ellen, Lena, and 
John (deceased).  The mother of these children died in 1875, and in 1876 he took for his second 
wife Augusta TIEMANN, a native of Germany, who has borne him four children: Hattie, Arthur, 
Irwin, and Bertha.  Socially, Mr. HERR is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the I.O.O.F., and 
he and his worthy wife are members of the First Lutheran Church of Beaver Dam.  In politics he 
has always been a stanch Democrat, and at the present time he is serving as city alderman from 
the Fourth Ward.
 
Submitted by Carol