MATTHEW A HERMANN BIOGRAPHY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

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Matthew A. Hermann, Volume III - Biographical, page 424-425
"History of Middlesex County New Jersey 1664-1920"


The following is taken from "History of Middlesex County New Jersey
1664-1920" John P. Wall and Harold E. Pickersgill, Editors, ©1921.

When a man passes practically his entire life in one community and
gives freely of his time, his energy, and his talents to the
upbuilding of the interests of the group with which he lives, he
makes for himself a large place in the life of the community and the
hearts of his fellow-citizens, a place which, when vacated, cannot
well be filled by another.  When he passes from amoung his life-long
asocaties, his friends and fellow-citizens suffer deep loss.  Such
loss has been experienced by the citizens of the borough of
Roosevelt, New Jersey, in the death of Matthew A. Hermann.

Mr. Hermann was born in Carteret, now the borough of Roosevelt, New
Jersey, and received the fortunate heritage, which often results from
the union of two nationalities.  From his father, Mattias Hermann,
born in Baden, Germany, he received the German throughness,
steadniness, and earnestness of purpose; from his mother, Bridget
(Kelly) Hermann, born in County West Meath, Ireland, the quickenss of
sympathy, the wit and the genial warmth of the sons of Erin.  These
characteristics of two nations blended in one personality, staunchly
and intensely American, produced a fine type of American manhood and
a life that was exceptionally valuable to friends and community.

Matthew A. Hermann attended the schools of his district and then went
to Miss Arrowsmith's Private School at Blazing Star Landing.  As a
boy, he worked on the farm with his father, where, undaunted by the
long hours of hard work, he developed strength and determiniation,
and nourished his ambition for larger things.  His parents encouraged
his aspirations, and when he decided to study telegraphy, helped in
every way they could.  The lack of means of transportation in those
day, however, made impossible the fulfillment of many a young dream,
and the vigorous, ambitious, clear-seeing boy soon realized that his
plan was impracticable.  He kept at his studies, watched for his
opportunity, and filled his days with earnest work at whatever his
hand could find to do until the general contracting business offered
the chance for which he had been waiting.  He formed a partnership
with his brother, Joseph A. Hermann, and for many years the firm of
Hermann Brothers has carried on a large and successful business as
dealers in builders' materials. In recent years he also individually
conducted a large construction business, and never failed to complete
a contract satisfactorially and on time.  Many big improvements,
public and private, in the Roosevelt section of the county have been
the result of his work.

Politically, Mr. Hermann waas a loyal Democrat, actively interested
and influential in the councils of the party.  Always devoted to the
best interests of his community, he served on the Middlesex county
grand jury, and was a member of the local Board of Education since
the incorporation of the borough in 1906.  He was also an active and
faithful member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, a member of
the Holy Name Society, and the Knights of Columbus.  The Fire
Department foudn him an efficient, faithful member of its corps of
defenders of the homes of the borough, and his fellow members of the
Order of Red Men loved him for his wit and his genial friendliness.
Earnest, honest, unassuming, a constructive worker for the
improvement of social and economic conditions in his home town, and
in the surrounding district, Mr. Hermann will long be missed and his
influence will long be felt.

Mr. Hermann is survived by his mother, Bridget (Kelly) Hermann; his
brother, Mayor Joseph A. Hermann; and his sisters, Elizabeth,
Barbara, Margaret, and Catherine.  Matthew A. Hermann died May 3,
1921.