Equipped with a most adequate professional training, received in this country and abroad, Dr. Herman Philip Hessler is now successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in New Haven. He was born, November 23, 1879, in the city where he is now practicing, a son of Michael Hessler, a native of Germany, who came to America about 1868. Landing in New York, he there remained for a year and then removed to New Haven, where he resided until his death, which occurred March 23, 1917, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. Throughout his entire life he was engaged in the baking business, having learned the trade in Germany, and he met with substantial success in that undertaking. His political allegiance was given the democratic party and in the early days he took a very active interest in political and civic matters but never with a desire for office. He held membership with Connecticut Rock Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M., with Franklin Chapter, R. A. M., and Harmony Council, R. & S. M. He was also a very prominent and active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was an earnest and faithful member of the Lutheran church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Brandes, was born in Germany and came with her parents to America soon after the close of the Civil war, the family home being established in New Haven, where she became the wife of Michael Hessler. She is still a resident of this city. By her marriage she had three sons and a daughter: Henry W., a baker residing in New Haven; Bertha, the wife of Joseph A. Weibel, connected with the brewing business in New Haven; Herman Philip; and Michael Paul, who is conducting a moving picture theater in New Haven.

At the usual age Dr. Hessler entered the public schools and completed a high school course, also pursuing a course in the Boardman Manual Training School, from which he was graduated in 1899. He then entered Yale in preparation for a medical career and was graduated from that university with the class of 1903. He afterward had the benefit of two years' practical experience as interne in St. Mark's Hospital of New York city, after which he went abroad and studied in Berlin, Vienna and London, under the instruction of some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. After fourteen months devoted to further preparation for his profession in Europe, he opened an office in New Haven, where he has since remained in practice, specializing in the treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines, in which he has developed marked proficiency. He is a member of the New Haven, New Haven County and Connecticut State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. He served as city physician of New Haven during the administration of Mayor Martin in 1909 and 1910. At present he is surgeon for the New Haven fire department and he was formerly connected with St. Raphael's Hospital as assistant surgeon, acting in that capacity for two years. From 1907 until 1910 he was a private in the New Haven Grays and later was commissioned assistant paymaster for the Connecticut Naval Militia, on the staff of Captain Frank H. Cornwall. He has been for several years a member of the Governor's Foot Guard and at the time of Major John B. Kennedy's election in that body Dr. Hessler was appointed lieutenant as assistant surgeon of the organization and served in that capacity until the declaration of war in 1917, when the staff was automatically abolished and reverted to the ranks.

On the 11th of September, 1908, Dr. Hessler was married in New Haven to Miss Gertrude Grave, a native of this city and a daughter of Frederick D. and Katherine (Stoffel) Grave, representatives of prominent families. Her father is engaged in cigar manufacturing in this city. Mrs. Grave died August 6, 1917. Dr. and Mrs. Hessler have a daughter, Ruth Elizabeth, who was born in New Haven, February 24, 1914. A son, Frederick Grave, was born August 4, 1912, and died November 18, 1913.

The parents are members of Trinity Episcopal church and Dr. Hessler has membership with the Chamber of Commerce, being deeply interested in the efforts of the organization to promote the welfare and upbuilding of the city. He belongs to the Union League and to the Racebrook Country Club. He has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a very prominent Mason, having membership in Connecticut Rock Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M., in the Hejaz Grotto, the chapter, council, commandery, consistory and the Mystic Shrine. In fact, he has taken all of the degrees of Masonry save the honorary thirty-third and is a most stalwart champion of the organization, which is based upon recognition of the brotherhood of mankind. His personal qualities have won for him a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance. He does not allow social interests, however, to interfere with the faithful performance of his professional duties and throughout his connection with the medical profession he has been a close student, constantly seeking new methods to meet the responsibilities which devolve upon him. During 1914 and 1915 in connection with his regular practice he went three days a week to New York for post graduate work in the hospitals of that city and he has constantly promoted his skill until he now finds a ready solution for many of the most intricate and involved professional problems.