Gustave Herter

Gustave Herter, cabinetmaker and designer, was born Julius Gustav Alexander Hagenlocher in 1830 in Stuttgart, Germany. He was later given the surname of Christian Herter (1807-1874), a local cabinetmaker. He immigrated to New York City in 1848, where he formed partnerships with cabinetmakers Auguste Pottier (1823-1896) in 1851 and Eratus Bulkley in 1853. In 1858 Herter bought Bulkley's share of their business and operated under his own name until making his brother Christian Herter (1839-1833) a partner in 1864. Herter Borthers remained in business until 1906. Gustave was active in the Herter Brothers firm until his retirement in 1870. In 1871, he returned to Germany with his wife Anne F. Schmit (d. 1912) and his four sons. He returned to New York City in 1892 where he remained until his death in 1898.