Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig Von Herff

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)