top of page
HERKNER JEWELERS
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - Since 1867
UNPARALLED TRADITION
Rooted in Grand Rapids History
Joseph Herkner of the Grand Rapids Greys -1861
Young Joseph Herkner, about age 21, poses in the uniform of the Grand Rapids Greys and holds his cap in his right hand. A drapery falls behind him and rests on a straight chair with cane seat and back. On his right is a round table with a printed cloth.
Joseph Herkner of the Grand Rapids Greys. 1861. John L Gelderloos Collection. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Joseph Herkner of the Grand Rapids Greys. 1861. John L Gelderloos Collection. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Ottawa Entrance - ca 1955
J. Herkner (left), with Charles W. Calkins - Unknown
Interior of Herkner Jewelry, 57 Monroe
"Interior of Herkner Jewelry store shows large furniture-like display cabinets..."
Gelderloos John L. 1912. Interior of Herkner Jewelry, 57 Monroe. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Gelderloos John L. 1912. Interior of Herkner Jewelry, 57 Monroe. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Grand Rapids Greys - 1861
Left to right; John Mann, Thomas Mitchell, Charles Kendall, Joseph Herkner of the Grand Rapids Greys pose in their uniforms.
Grand Rapids Greys. 1861. 54-44-2 Photo Collection, GR History and Special Collections. Grand Rapids Public Library. 4/10/2024
Grand Rapids Greys. 1861. 54-44-2 Photo Collection, GR History and Special Collections. Grand Rapids Public Library. 4/10/2024
Clara Calkins
Wife of Joseph C Herkner - Married 13 June 1867
Music Club
Joseph Herkner, holding the guitar, poses with seven other men. Three men, including Herkner, wear uniforms and five do not, but they all wear hats. The men sit on folding camp stools or kegs. A wooden building on the left may be a small barracks, and the one on the right part of a barn or shed.
Music Club. 1863-64. Grand Rapids History and Special Collections, Photograph Archives. Grand Rapids Public Library. 4/10/2024
Music Club. 1863-64. Grand Rapids History and Special Collections, Photograph Archives. Grand Rapids Public Library. 4/10/2024
Joseph Herkner, Captain - 1864
Joseph Herkner sporting a beard and mustache poses for this 1864 portrait in his uniform.
Joseph Herkner, Captain. 1864. John L Gelderloos Collection. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Joseph Herkner, Captain. 1864. John L Gelderloos Collection. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Joseph Herkner, 1st Lt. - 1862
Joseph Herkner sits for this portrait in July of 1862. He has grown a beard and mustache, but his hair is still short. He wears his uniform jacket unbuttoned.
Joseph Herkner, 1st Lt. 1862. John L Gelderloos Collection. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Joseph Herkner, 1st Lt. 1862. John L Gelderloos Collection. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Original Store Entrance
Herkner Civil War letter
A letter written in old German by Joseph C. Herkner to his mother from Stevenson Alabama. He writes, while traveling by train, about building a bridge across the Tennessee River.
Gelderloos, John L. "Herkner Civil War letter." 1863. History Grand Rapids, 4/10/2024
Gelderloos, John L. "Herkner Civil War letter." 1863. History Grand Rapids, 4/10/2024
First Regiment of Michigan Engineers Monument
Monument to the First Regiment of Michigan Engineers. Lansing - MI.
Joseph C. Herkner
Portrait of joseph C. Herkner at about age seventy. He wears eyeglasses, is dressed in a suit and tie, and has a small pin in his lapel and another on his tie.
Joseph C. Herkner. ca 1910. John L Gelderloos Collection. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Joseph C. Herkner. ca 1910. John L Gelderloos Collection. History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Herkner Jewelry, Optical Dept. - 1912
Large furniture-like display cases set in an U-shape displays a large selection of cut-glass items. A small round table in the center holds a large cut-glass punch bowl. The sign for the Optical Dept. can be seen in the background.
Herkner Jewelry, Optical Dept. 1912. John L Gelderloos Collection, History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Herkner Jewelry, Optical Dept. 1912. John L Gelderloos Collection, History Grand Rapids. 4/10/2024
Marriage Certificate
Marriage Certificate - Joseph C Herkner & Clara L Calkins: 13 June 1867
Monroe Entrance - 1917
Genealogy
Store Entrance Display - ca. 1977
Monroe store display ca. 1977
Ad Copy - Unknown
Monroe Entrance - Unknown
Death Certificate - Joseph C. Herkner
First Regiment of Michigan Plaque
Plaque commemorating the Colonels, Majors, Surgeons, Assistant Surgeons, Chaplain, and Captains of the First Regiment of Michigan Engineers. Monument - Lansing, MI.
bottom of page