Dr. Henry Herbert Herbst, late of Allentown, for many years one of the best known physicians of the city and one of the very foremost citizens of the community, was a descendant of a long line of distinguished ancestors. The family for centuries past had been seated in Altenberg, Musselwitz, Saxony, Germany, where they were active and prominent, the principal factors in the growth and improvement of the sections wherein they resided.

Dr. Henry Herbert Herbst, son of Dr. William Herbst, was born in Trexiertown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1858, died Sept. 23, 1911. He pursued his collegiate preparations at Williston Seminary, and was a student at Muhlenberg College, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1878, receiving the degree of Master of Arts in due course. He then entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, was president of his class during the first year and class secretary the last year, and at his graduation in 1881 received honorable mention for a thesis upon the subject of "Alimentation." He was also one of the founders and its first president of the H. C. Wood Medical Society of the university. For a year after his graduation he was examining surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Wilmington, then returned to Allentown, where he was engaged in active practice until his death. In addition to his practice, which was both extensive and remunerative, he served as physician to the coroner; was city physician for the Poor Directors; president of the Board of Health from 1890 to 1895, and served on the United States Board of Pension Examiners from 1888 to 1897. He took an active interest in the Tuberculosis convention held in Allentown, and was largely responsible for the success of the project. He served at the Allentown Hospital, and was Professor of Physical Education at Muhlenberg College for fourteen years. He was the author of 'Etiology of Diphtheria," "Physical Education," Sand "School Hygiene." He was a member of the American Academy of Medicine, president of the medical section of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and a first vice-president of the society when they met at Allentown, president of the Muhlenberg College Alumni Association.

Dr. Herbst was a member of the Board of Control from the Ninth ward for twenty years, and served as its president for nine years, and when he was elected first the board was Republican by two majority. He devoted considerable time to the interests of the public schools, and it can be truthfully said that he took a great pride in the upbuilding of the public schools in the city of Allentown. He was the father of medical inspection in schools, having worked for it for five years before it was instituted. He was twice a Democratic candidate for the office of mayor of Allentown. In 1893 he was defeated by Hon. H. V. Allison, and in the primary election for the same office, June 23, 1908, he won out over Colonel S. D. Lehr, receiving 2,402 votes and his opponent 1,498. In the general election following he was unfortunate again, going down to defeat, Mayor Hunsicker winning by 4,863 votes to 4,578. When Mayor Harry G. Stiles died in office, Nov. 8, 1908, the Democrats in city councils turned to Dr. Herbst as their man for mayor and he was named at a caucus on the fourth ballot by twelve votes to ten for Colonel Lehr, N. E. Worman, Hon. H. E. Crilly and H. B. Schall had received one, two and one votes respectively on earlier ballots. At a meeting of city councils, Nov. 17, 1908, Dr. Herbst was elected mayor over E. M. Young, the Republican nominee, by a vote of twenty-two to fourteen. He administered the affairs of office with signal ability and credit, winning the approbation of his colleagues and constituents. He resigned from the Board of Control, of which he was president, to assume the duties of this office, and was later returned to that body.

Dr. Herbst stood high in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second degree. He was also a charter member and one of the first Board of Governors of the Livingston Club, and a member of the Clover Club.

Dr. Herbst married, in 1881, Annie A. Frill, of Reading, Pennsylvania, who survives him.

Dr. Herbst died Sept. 23, 1911, and his funeral was attended by many of the noted citizens of Allentown, also by noted physicians from Philadelphia and other cities of the eastern part of Pennsylvania. The school board met in special session on Friday evening, Sept. 23, 1911, and adopted the following resolutions:

"Whereas, Death has removed from our midst Dr. H. H. Herbst, who was a member of this board since 1891, with a slight interim, and served as president of the body for a number of years, and was intimately known by this body as a progressive school man, ever ready to give his time and attention to the interests of the
schools. He was a man of conviction and principle, but ready to concede, when led to see that some other course was preferable. Before medical inspection of pupils was made compulsory, he was instrumental in having it introduced in the schools of this city, and gave his time and attention together with statistics showing the necessity of such a step.

"To his friends he was known as eminently loyal, ever ready to espouse their cause, if just, and they only can appreciate the loss sustained in the death of Dr. H. H. Herbst. Therefore, as a mark of respect, be it

"Resolved, That the members of the Board of Control attend the funeral in a body, and that the teachers of the city and friends of education be requested to meet at the Administration building and accompany them.

"Resolved, that these resolutions be entered upon the minutes of the board and published in our city papers and an engrossed copy of the same be presented to the family of the deceased."