History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p.1143

Herman Derksen, manufacturer and wholesale dealer in cigars, 52 Maine street; Mr. D. was born in Germany Feb. 15, 1844; he emigrated with his parents to America in 1852, and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they lived about two years, then moved to Chicago and lived four years, then moved to Portage, Columbia Co., and lived seventeen years, where he worked for his father, T.V. Derksen, who was also engaged in the manufacture of cigars; he then moved to Oshkosh and began the manufacture of cigars in company with his father, where they continued until the fire of 1875, after which he began alone, and has since continued; he is steadily increasing his business. He was married in Oshkosh, Wis., Oct. 9, 1872, to Miss Emilia Ernst, who was born in Oshkosh, Wis., April 20, 1853; they have four children, three sons and one daughter- Oscar H., Theodore R., Ernst R., and an infant daughter. He employs twenty-five hands in the manufacture of cigars.