Herman Kerkhoff
Herman Charles Kerkhoff (May 10, 1870 – December 3, 1935) was a professional American football player from the mid 1890s until 1906.
| Nickname(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Born: | May 10, 1870 Lafayette, Indiana |
| Died: | December 3, 1935 Lafayette, Indiana |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Left guard |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| College | Purdue |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1895 (1892–1894 allegedly under assumed name) | Purdue University Boilermakers |
| 1896–1897(one gm) | Indianapolis Athletic Association |
| 1897–1898 | Chicago Athletic Association |
| 1899–1901 | Denver Athletic Club |
| 1902 | Pittsburgh Stars |
| 1903 | Franklin Athletic Club |
| 1904–1905 | Massillon Tigers |
| 1906 | Canton Bulldogs |
| Career highlights and awards | |
He resided in Lafayette, Indiana most of his life, working on the Kerkhoff family dairy farm and later his own farm. He was one of ten children born to John and Elizabeth Kerkhoff. His great size and exceptional speed allowed him to travel the country playing football for the highest bidder of his services.
After stints with the Oakland Hill Bumpers of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Indianapolis Athletic Association, Chicago Athletic Association, and Denver Athletic Club, Bumper was signed by the Pittsburgh Stars of the first National Football League in 1902, the self-proclaimed "World's Greatest" Franklin Athletic Club in 1903, the Massillon Tigers in 1904 and 1905, and the Canton Athletic Club (renamed the Canton Bulldogs) in 1906. He was regarded as one of the best offensive linemen from his era.
He ran for sheriff of Tippecanoe County, Indiana in 1906 on the Democratic ticket, losing narrowly. The Republican ticket was victorious in all Tippecanoe County elections in 1906.
Herman, who was also called Bumper, Kerky, Kerk, and Hermie, married Mary Lynch February 14, 1900. The couple had three children (Marie born 10–7–1901, Katherine born 5–6–04, Herman Joseph born 9–4–1908). Middle child Katherine died from illness on December 28, 1911 at the age of seven on the large family farm in Monitor Springs, Indiana just east of Lafayette.
The Kerkhoff family of four moved to southeast Missouri in 1911, and attempted to continue farming on a great parcel of land. The family fortune was lost, and the family returned to Lafayette in late 1915.
Herman was sworn in as a Lafayette policeman August 18, 1920. He passed at his home in Lafayette on December 3, 1935.