Herman Kiefer Are you a Kiefer relative?
Chapter 9 of 20

Consul and Regent

1883 – 1902
Episode 9Consul and RegentVideo coming soon
University Hall, University of Michigan, about 1890. Bentley Historical Library via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
University Hall, University of Michigan, about 1890. Bentley Historical Library via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

In July 1883 the exile went back to Germany — as the official representative of the United States. Dr. Kiefer served as U.S. Consul at Stettin until January 1885. His reports home included studies of the German beet-sugar industry, which the Saga credits with helping to start beet-sugar production in Michigan.

In 1889 he was elected a Regent of the University of Michigan and served until 1901. He chaired the committees on medicine and science and pushed for a four-year medical degree with an internship, a new Medical Building, an Engineering Building and a University Hospital. In 1902 the university gave him an honorary medical degree and made him Professor Emeritus.

He was also a founder of the Detroit College of Medicine, a founder and vice president of the Wayne County Savings Bank, and president of the Michigan Cremation Society.

His son Edwin painted a life-size portrait of him for the faculty room of the medical school.

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Sources. The Kiefer Saga (1951), ch. VII; University of Michigan Regents' Proceedings; History of the University of Michigan (1906). All sources →
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