His great size and exceptional speed allowed him to travel the country playing football for the highest bidder of his services.
Herman, who was also called Bumper, Kerky, Kerk, and Hermie, married Mary Lynch February 14, 1900.
Middle child Katherine died from illness on December 28, 1911, at the age of seven on the large family farm in Monitor Springs, Indiana, just east of Lafayette.
The Kerkhoff family of four moved to southeast Missouri in 1911, and attempted to continue farming on a great parcel of land.
He also played football games for local Indiana teams including the Oakland Hill Bumpers (in Lafayette), Delphi, Frankfort, and Attica.
The IAA "Gunners" "Athletics" "Cannoneers" played in Chicago several times in 1896, including twice versus the CAA.
Kerkhoff and his "Cherry Circle" teammates claimed the mythical athletic association championship in 1897 after finishing the season 7–1.
From 1899 to 1901 Kerkhoff suited up for the "Cherry and Black" DAC Denver Athletic Club football team.
The "guards back" play enabled the extremely fleet footed wonder boy milkman from Lafayette to score touchdowns and become a Denver hero.
Kerkhoff was named to the “All Colorado Team” by several sources in the 1899 “Silver and Gold” football season summary edition.
Herman scored both touchdowns in the 12–0 title clinching win versus Watertown Red and Black from New York.