Hermann Jaeger

Hermann Jaeger (March 23, 1844 – c. May 17, 1895) was a Swiss-American viticulturist, honored as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for his part in saving the French wine industry from the phylloxera root louse pest.

Early life Hermann Jaeger was born on March 23, 1844, in Brugg, Switzerland, the sixth child of Charles and Mary Custer Jaeger. His father was a farmer and merchant and his mother had half-siblings who were the grandchildren of Swiss educator, Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi. Jaeger was educated in public schools until the age of sixteen and then served an apprenticeship at a dry good store from 1860 to 1863. In 1863 he worked at a wine business near Lake Geneva.

In 1864, Jaeger emigrated to the United States, arriving first at the port of Norfolk, Virginia. In 1865, he settled on a 40-acre farm near Neosho in Newton County, Missouri. Shortly afterwards, his brother John settled on an adjoining 40-acre property. They merged their farms and in 1866, they planted their first vineyards. One of his most notable hybrids was Jaeger 70, which became an ancestor of many of today's hybrid grapes.

The eastern cuttings he used in his hybrids unintentionally introduced downy mildew, a potentially devastating blight on vineyards. In response, he developed a solution of sulfur, iron sulfate, and copper sulfate which he applied as a spray on his vines. The treatment was successful and he was acknowledged as a pioneer in the application of chemical sprays to control crop disease.

Death On 16 May 1895, Jaeger bade farewell to his wife and children, telling them he was returning to Neosho to address legal matters. He was never seen by his family again. Several days later, his wife received a letter from him postmarked Kansas City, 157 miles away. Written in German, it was translated and printed in the Newton County News on May 23:

"My Dear, Good Elise: When you read these lines, I won’t be no more alive. The more I think over everything, the more my mind get troubled. It is better I make an end to it, before I get crazy. Since for a length of time I am not able to attend to business. I as a food but I meant it good. Do not hunt for me. I hope to end some place where nobody can’t find me. Dear Elise, you deserve better luck. I hope you will have it yet. Kiss the children.

Your unlucky Herman"

Jaeger was never seen again. A police investigation did not find any indication of what might have happened. Rumors and speculation abounded. Some thought he returned to Switzerland or started fresh in California but most felt that he was despondent over business and legal problems and killed himself.