Pueblo County Biographies

Pueblo County, Colorado
Matt Jerman

Contributed by Maggie Stuart Zimmerman.

Matt Jerman, national vice president of the Grand Carniolian Catholic Union of America, with offices in Pueblo, was born in Carniola, Austria, February 6, 1880, a son of Jacob and Katherine (Grahek) Jerman. The father came to the United States several years later, made his way across the country and settled in Pueblo, where he engaged in the plumbing business, continuing active as a factor in industrial circles of the city until the time of his death, which occurred in 1910. His widow survives him and is yet a resident of Pueblo.

Matt Jerman was but eight years of age when brought to the new world and pursued his education in the schools of Pueblo, after which he started out in the business world, working in a brickyard and afterward at steel work. Nature had endowed him with much musical talent, and studying along that line, he developed his powers and began devoting his entire time to the art. He is now a teacher of band instruments and is the diretcor of a band and orchestra known as Jerman's Band & Orchestra. In this connection he is accorded a liberal patronage, his being known as one of the leading musical organizations of the city. He was, also one of the incorporators and is the secretary and treasurer of the Garden Amusement Company.

On the 24th of November, 1902, Mr. Jerman was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Hoffer, of Pueblo, and to them have been born the following named, Dorothy, May Margaret, Bernard, Frances and Albert. Mr. Jerman is of the Catholic faith and is a third degree Knight of Columbus. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and to the Musicians Union. For three years he was president of St. Joseph's Lodge, No. 7, of Pueblo. His political allegiance is usually given to the democratic party, but he holds the general welfare above partisanship and supports the best candidate rather than party. He was served as alderman of the city under the old form of government. He is much interested in the state and its development and is strong for Americanism. Public-spirited, he cooperates in many measures and movements for the general good and stanchly supports all those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He is a leader among his people, respected for his genuine worth. His activities have been broad and varied in connection with his musical interests and as vice president of the Grand Carniolian Catholic Union of America. Extracted from History of Colorado Illustrated Volume II 1918

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