"THE FARMINGTON NEWS, Friday, August 26, 1927.
L. J. Herwig of Lansing, Kans., spent several days here
and in the country, looking up some of his relatives.
Mr. Herwig was born at Valley Forge 70 years ago. He was
the son of the late Conrad Herwig and Mary Ebrecht. His
father was killed in the Civil War. His mother moved to
Peoria, Ill., 63 years ago and shortly afterward died.
The seven children in the family were given away. He was
given to a Mr. and Mrs. Fischer, good christian people,
who gave him the benefit of an education. He is now clerk
of the State prison at Lansing. A brother, H. A. Herwig,
lives at Guthrie, Okla., and is Grand Scribe of the
Oklahoma I.O.O.F.
Mr. Herwig was very profuse in his comments on the
wonderful development of this country since he left here.
He says that when he left here Farmington was a small
place. Valley Forge had an iron smelter and was quite a
thriving community. The plank road from Ste. Genevieve to
Iron Mountain was in operation at that time. He was
greatly impressed with the up-to-date appearance of
Farmington. He said those who had followed the pioneers
in this locality were certainly giving a good account of
themselves and that Farmington was one of the prettiest
and most progressive communities he had ever visited. He
expects to return here for our fall festivities in October
and thinks his brother will also come at that time. The
other members of the family, he said, are either dead or
lost to them by having been separated when they were small
children."
Doing a little checking seems Conrad Herwig was a German immigrant From Hanover as was his wife from Brunswick. The Herwig family is found in the 1860 St Francois County census in Liberty township with Conrad listed as being a shoemaker. It appears they lived near the road between Farmington and Fredericktown. Conrad was killed in late 1864 it appears. Anybody know if he is one of Hildebrand's victims? Right time frame, right place..... Another tidbit FWIW Herwig spent about 3 years in Kansas 1855 to 1858/9 per the census report with his 2 eldest children being listed as being born there.
John R.