Hertha Depper

Hertha "Hattie" R. Depper was born May 23, 1911, in New York City, the daughter of Martin and Wilhelmina (Hakmann) Depper. Both of her parents were Russian immigrants, or as her father described it in his petition for U.S. citizenship, "the state of Russia and/or the Republic of Estonia." This was a second marriage for her father, Martin; by his first marriage Hertha had a half-brother- Leo, more formally called Leopold Herbert Martin Depper. He was born in 1903 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Just prior to Hertha's birth, the family was living on East 95th Street in Manhattan. By 1915, they had moved to the Bronx, five years later they were at 551 West 190th Street, where Hertha's mother Wilhelmina was the building superintendant. Another five years later, in 1925, the family had moved one block away, and were living at 509 West 189th Street, where this time her father, Martin, was listed as the building super.

In 1932, at the age of 21, Hertha was fortunate enough to travel to Europe, making her return trip from Le Havre, France to New York City on the ship "Lafayette."

Hertha was an artist, who worked as an illustrator. She produced the illustrations for a number of charming children's story and coloring books during the 1950's and early 1960's, some of which were published by Whitman Publishing Company. A number of the titles she collaborated on were very popular, being reprinted for a number of editions. Some of her works are: The Funny Baby; Little Red Riding Hood; Here and There with the Bible; Little Bear and the Beautiful Kite; Fun with Writing; The Santa Claus Book; The Secret World of Hazel Catkins; and The Early Days of Automobiles.

In 1976 Hertha's "beloved brother" Leo died on February 5. She was the only surving family member mentioned in his obituary.

Hertha continued to live in the Bronx, on 79th Street in the 1980's; and having an apartment on Marion Avenue during the 1990's.

Hertha R. Depper died on December 18, 2003 at the age of 92, and was buried on Hart Island.

Sources: US Social Security Death Index; US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Vol. 1; US Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002; New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957; New York, Naturalization Records, 1882-1944; US, WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (Martin); Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003; 1910 and 1920 US Federal Censuses; 1915 and 1925 New York, State Censuses.