Schenectady has known Herman C. Grupe as a leading and successful attorney for more than a quarter of a century. It was in this city that his birth occurred on the 11th of March, 1858, his parents being Dietrich and Mary (Kurth) Grupe, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in 1846 and made his way first to Texas, where he participated in the Mexican war. The year 1852 witnessed his arrival in Schenectady and here he continued active as a gardener and nurseryman, until his enlistment for service in the Civil war in August, 1862. He joined Company F of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth New York Infantry, with which he remained until the cessation of hostilities between the North and the South. On returning to Schenectady he resumed his work as a nurseryman, which claimed his attention throughout the remainder of his life. He had reached the age of seventy-three years when called to his final rest on the 4th of January, 1897, and the community mourned the loss of one of its esteemed and substantial citizens. His widow survived him for more than fifteen years, passing away July 12, 1912.
Herman C. Grupe supplemented his public school education by a course of study in the Union Classical Institute, which later became the high school. After putting aside his textbooks he worked for a time in the shops at West Albany. Having decided upon a professional career, however, he entered the Albany Law School which in 1885 conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. Prior to his graduation he became a law clerk in the offices of Yates & Cutler. In 1885 he made his way westward and through the succeeding seven years practiced law in South Dakota and in Montana. He returned to the east in 1892, and in 1897 opened an office for law practice in Schenectady, where he has remained continuously to the present time. He is enjoying an extensive and representative clientele, handles considerable litigation before the courts and has won for himself an enviable position among the attorneys at the Schenectady bar. He is a member of the Schenectady County Bar Association, and aside from his professional activity is interested in real estate in Schenectady. His office is at No. 423 State street.
On the 18th of February, 1887, Mr. Grupe was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Apps, who passed away in February, 1899, leaving a son, Herman Louis, now in the employ of the General Electric Company as chemical engineer. On the 30th of April, 1902, Mr. Grupe was again married, his second union being with Katherine C. Helling. To them have been born three children, namely: Everett, who is in the service of the Eastman Kodak Company as a chemist; Austin K., a college student at Springfield, Massachusetts; and George, who is attending high school.
In politics Mr. Grupe may be termed an independent democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Second Reformed church, in the work of which he takes a very active part. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with St. George's Lodge of Masons. High and honorable principles have always actuated him at every point in his career and his sterling worth is attested by all with whom he has been associated.