Nathaniel Herz Papers

Collection

Identifier: 5017

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains notes from various college courses, a graduate thesis, published works with Herz’s notes, and correspondence with the American Institute of Mining Engineers.

Dates

Majority of material found within Bulk, 1908-1917
1903-1940

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center with no restrictions to access. The collection may be utilized during normal operating hours or by appointment.

Biographical / Historical

Nathaniel Herz was born March 26, 1889, in Connecticut. In 1908 he graduated college with honors, receiving a degree from Yale University’s Sheffield Scientific School. He received a graduate degree in Engineering of Mining, also from Yale, in 1910. During his graduate studies, Herz became a member of the American Institution of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, a membership he maintained for the remainder of his life.

After receiving his graduate degree Herz worked on a mill construction crew for the Miami Copper Company in Arizona before teaching a course on assaying and ore dressing at Yale in 1911. When his teaching appointment ended he accepted a position as an assistant chemist for Homestake Mining Company in Lead.

In 1917, Herz enlisted in the Army, receiving a commission as a lieutenant in the Chemical Service Section, later known as the Research Division of Chemical Warfare Section, in Washington. After being honorably discharged, Herz returned to Lead and Homestake, eventually being promoted to the position of Chief Chemist in 1929. Herz worked closely with Chief Metallurgist Allan J. Clark with whom he shared a patent for a process of cyanidation of ores with refrigerated solutions. During this time Herz also had a number of essays published in various science journals. After Clark’s retirement, Herz became Chief Metallurgist. Herz retired from Homestake in 1954 but continued to offer metallurgical consulting for several years after that.

Outside of his role as chemist and metallurgist, Herz was an organizer of the Homestake American Legion Post No. 31, a charter member of the Sigma Xi chapter of South Dakota, served as president of the Lead Kiwanis Club, was a well respected Mason, and served as a member of the board of trustees for the Lead United Methodist Church. Herz passed away on March 18, 1979.

Extent

1.25 Linear feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Nathaniel Herz Papers include documents created or utilized by Herz during his time as a student and professor at Yale, and as an employee of the Homestake Mining Company. The materials are dated between 1903 and 1940 with the bulk of materials dating between 1908 and 1917. Documents include notes from lectures and presentations, Herz’s graduate school thesis, correspondence, records from the American Institute of Mining Engineers, and several published reports and surveys.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged by type and thereunder chronologically. Please see box list for more information.

Related Materials

Additional archival material related to Nathaniel Herz can be found in the Adams Museum Collection including a copy of his patent shared with Allen J. Clark, accession 2012.007.007.

Additional mining publications can be found in the Homestake Mining Company Collection including Bureau of Mine Circulars, United States Geological Surveys, and Engineering and Mining Journals.