Francis C. Herr
FRANCIS C. HERR, M. D. One of the most widely known physicians in Franklin County is Dr. Francis C. Herr, who graduated from one of the oldest medical colleges in the country forty years ago, and has been in active practice at Ottawa since 1884.
Many years ago there was an excellent private school conducted in Lancaster County by the Herr brothers, and in that school Doctor Herr acquired his early training. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Frank Musser of Lancaster. Entering Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia in 1876, he was graduated in 1879 M. D., and before taking up active practice had the advantages of one year as interne in the Southwestern Hospital of Philadelphia. Doctor Herr was in practice at Philadelphia for several years, but in 1884 came to Ottawa, where his professional service of thirty-two years has been given. He has long been prominent in his profession as well as in general civic affairs. He has served as coroner of Franklin County and for four years was secretary of the pension board. He has also been vice president of the Ottawa Board of Education. Politically he is a very ardent republican. For twelve years he was chairman of the Franklin County Republican Central Committee, and was a delegate to the National Convention in Philadelphia in 1900, when McKinley and Roosevelt were nominated. Doctor Herr is a Mason and is a charter member of Lodge No. 803, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which he has served as exalted ruler. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, while his wife is a Presbyterian.
Doctor Herr was married at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1882, to Miss Elizabeth Seiler. Mrs. Herr was born in Harrisburg, was well educated in private schools, and is a daughter of Jacob Seiler, who at one time was sheriff of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The one child of Doctor and Mrs. Herr was Parvin S., who died of smallpox in 1895, at the age of eleven years.
A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written & compiled by William E. Connelley, Secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, copyright 1918; transcribed by students from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 12-16-98.