Born: February 4, 1846 (Vienna, Austria)
Biography:
Sofie Herzog, also known as Dalia, Delia, or Deligath, was a trailblazing Texas physician and the first woman to work as the head surgeon in the American rail industry. Born on February 4, 1846, in Vienna, Austria, Sofie came from a family of doctors, with her father being a prominent physician. At the age of fourteen, she married August (or Moritz) Herzog, who was also a physician. Together, they had fifteen children, although tragically, eight of their children died in infancy.
In 1886, Sofie and her husband decided to emigrate to the United States, settling in New York City, where August had secured a job in the United States Naval Hospital. While in New York, Sofie began her medical studies and completed her training in Austria. In 1871, she earned her midwifery certificate and went on to graduate from the Eclectic Medical College in 1894.
Herzog embarked on her medical career, practicing medicine for six years in Austria and later for nine years in Hoboken, New Jersey, where she established her medical office. In 1894, her youngest child, Elfriede, married a man from Brazoria, prompting Sofie to move to Brazoria after her husband’s passing in 1895.
In Brazoria, Sofie Herzog made a significant impact on the community. She was one of the first individuals to own a car and possess a telephone, showcasing her progressive mindset. Additionally, she built her own home, where she treated patients of all races. Notably, she defied societal norms by riding horses astride and wearing split skirts.
Herzog’s medical expertise extended beyond regular practice. She developed her unique method, utilizing gravity, to remove bullets from gunshot wounds. This innovative technique caught the attention of the South Texas Medical Society (STMS), who invited her to speak at their conference. She even had a necklace made from twenty-four extracted bullets, which she proudly wore and would eventually be buried with.
Devoted to her community, Sofie Herzog diligently kept records of the births she attended, overseeing a remarkable 1,733 births in Brazoria alone by the time she reached the age of 70. In 1897, she became the first woman to join the STMS, a testament to her exceptional skills and dedication to her profession. Sofie Herzog established herself as a respected member of the medical community, regularly attending STMS’s semi-annual meetings.
Herzog’s influence extended beyond medicine. She purchased The Jefferson Hotel, located across from her medical office, transforming it into a vibrant community center that also provided accommodation for notable visitors to the city. Sofie’s impact on education and spirituality was equally noteworthy. She opened a library and built an Episcopal Church, a reflection of her decision to convert from Catholicism after a dispute with a priest over the condition of the Catholic Cemetery, which she had hoped to clean up.
Sofie Herzog’s legacy lives on as a true pioneer in the medical field. Her dedication, groundbreaking medical techniques, and commitment to her community have left an indelible mark on Texas history.