Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig Von Herff
Historical marker location:In the 1850s, a few courageous and well-trained European doctors responded to
the health needs of the citizens of San Antonio. For more than fifty years, Dr.
Ferdinand Ludwig von Herff worked tirelessly to provide leadership and medical
knowledge and to improve medical practices in Texas. He was born Ferdinand
Charles von Herff in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany on November 29, 1820, but he
never used the name Charles. When he later became a United States citizen, he
dropped the von from his name and was called Dr. Herff. In 1847, with a
group of idealistic young Germans, die vierziger (the forty), Dr. Herff failed
in an attempt to establish the Bettina Socialistic Colony in Texas. He returned
to Germany and married Mathilde Klingelhoffer (1823-1910) in 1849. The next
year, they immigrated to New Braunfels and settled in San Antonio.
Herffs second home here on a ranch in Boerne was a family retreat. Dr. Herff
practiced medicine here and was instrumental in bringing to Boerne the railroad
and Saint Marys Sanitarium. During the Civil War, he served briefly as a
Brigade Surgeon for Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederacy. However, the Herff
ranch was occupied by Confederate Rangers as Herff was known as a Union
sympathizer. He treated all in need, including Native Americans. Dr. Herff
achieved many medical breakthroughs in surgery, as well as introducing new
procedures to the medical community. As one of the great pioneer doctors, he
held many distinguished positions in local and state organizations, and
received honors for his many contributions. His diligent efforts for the
profession and patients whom he loved helped set standards for the medical
profession, facilities and continuing advances. (2013).