WI BIO - Dane Co - SCHUERMANN, Herman
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 346-347

Herman SCHUERMANN, a widely known and highly esteemed German citizen of 
Vienna Township, Dane County, Wisconsin, was born in Germany in 1830. He is 
descended from a substantial family of the Fatherland, who owned and 
conducted their own store and tavern in that country. Herman SCHUERMANN was 
the only one of their immediate family to come to America, and now [1893] has 
one brother, John, residing in Germany.

The subject of this sketch received a good education in his native land, 
studying French and Latin and mathematics. In 1852 he came to America, and 
on arriving in New York City was employed as a clerk in a grocery for two 
years, and later in an hotel. He afterward went to Montour County 
[Pennsylvania?], where he did farm work for a year. In 1855 he came to 
Wisconsin, and worked by the month on farms until the outbreak of the war.

Herman SCHUERMANN then enlisted as a private in Company H, Ninth Wisconsin 
Infantry, and served four and a half years, being mustered out at Little Rock 
[Pulaski County], Arkansas, 30 January 1866, with the rank of Second 
Lieutenant, to which position he had advanced in regular order. All of this 
time, with the exception of ten months passed in a rebel prison at Camp Ford, 
near Tyler [Smith County], Texas, was spent in active service on the field. 
The wound was serious, the small bone of the lower limb having been broken. 
The ensuing march to Texas and imprisonment at Camp Ford are indelibly 
stamped on his memory, as exemplifying the depths of brutality still inherent 
in the human soul. One poor fellow from New York, who was unable to keep up, 
had a rope put around his neck, which was fastened to the rebels' horses, and 
he was thus dragged a part of one day, but death mercifully released him that 
evening. A soldier of an Iowa regiment received similar treatment, but had 
strength enough to take hold of the rope with his hands; yet he carried the 
mark of this halter on his neck for a long time. Although lame, Mr. 
SCHUERMANN was obliged to march; he was allowed, however, during part of the 
way, to take hold of the tail of his escort's horse, which in a measure 
facilitated his progress. Arrived at Camp Ford, he was to witness how human 
beings could be situated and still live. His daily rations during that long 
ten months, which seemed interminable, were a pint of corn meal, cooked the 
best way he could in the mess kettle or skillet, with occasionally a piece of 
fresh beef. Seven thousand men were incarcerated in this place, the sanitary 
condition of which was horrible, causing scurvy and body lice.

Upon his release, Herman SCHUERMANN returned to Wisconsin, and was for two 
years employed at the Madison State Hospital. Since then he has been engaged 
in farming in this State and in Dakota. In 1880 he took a homestead of a 
quarter section in Brown County, South Dakota, situated near the thriving 
town of Aberdeen [Brown County], [property] which he sold for $1600 in 1884. 
He and Mr. DeBAUER, with whom he made his home, are lifelong friends, having 
known each other in Germany.

Politically Herman SCHUERMANN is a Republican, his first vote having been 
cast for John C. Fremont, in 1856. Socially he belongs to the G. A. R., 
Irwin Post, of Lodi, Columbia County, Wisconsin. America owes a debt of 
gratitude to her sturdy German inhabitants, than whom none are more 
industrious, sober and law abiding; none more sensitive of her honor, or more 
quick to defend it. On the other hand, America offers them a home, a voice 
in her laws, and a guaranty of protection under her flag. 

Submitted by Cathy Kubly