Herbert Harrison Mercer

Herbert Harrison Mercer (March 6, 1850 in Ramsgate, Kent, England - August 1, 1893 in Tibagi, Paraná, Brazil) was an Englishman who was a politician and mayor of Tibagi in Brazil.
Biography
Also known as Alberto, Mercer had been a student at Oxford University. He was the son of John Noacks Mercer and Harriet Harrison Mercer, a descendant of the Baron of Whittington..
At twenty, Mercer, his brother Frederick Harrison Mercer - a chemical engineer - and three friends, also all British, went to Brazil and traveled to Australia. The Mercers and their friends had not planned to permanently stay in Brazil; however the two Mercers enjoyed the lands that had not been colonized by the British Crown and decided to dwell there. After a quick visit to Rio de Janeiro and Paranaguá, they settled in Curitiba. In 1872, Mercer separated from his brother and travelled to the village of Tibagi, looking for opportunities. Tibagi had become a forum town, and Mercer had heard of the possibility of gold, diamonds, and fertile land of low cost. At the invitation of an English mining company that operated a gold mine nearby, Mercer just stayed there, and married Maria Antonia de Sá Bittencourt Mercer on June 13, 1874.
With the death of Maria's father, José Florentino de Sá Bittencourt, in the beginning of 1885, Mercer inherited two slaves, Inocência and Bernardo, but he immediately freed them. With the death of Maria's mother, Francisca de Sá Ubaldina Taques, in 1887, two others slaves were inherited and freed: Cecília and Claudina.
With the proclamation of the Republic of Brazil, Herbert organized the festivities recommended by the interim government. And, in possession of the Official Mail, he concocted the National Flag of Brazil, embroidering the stars and the words "Order and Progress". Created the Municipal Intendance, in January 1890, Júlio de Macedo Taques was appointed Chairman, and Herbert was the vice-chair. However, with the license of the holder, Herbert took office, becoming the 12th Mayor of Tibagy. On July 5, 1890, the Intendance was elevated to the category of municipality. The following year, on December 22, Mercer again became mayor, and this time, having been appointed to such. In 1892, stepped down as Mayor and was appointed as Judge of the County. With the Constitution finally was "elected" to the office of District Judge. Herbert Mercer died at forty-three, apparently from the consequences of diabetes and cardiovascular complications.
Curiosities
In the log book of your wedding, Mercer wrote that being Anglican would not prevent his wife and children to come to birth continued to profess the Roman Catholic faith. And, although he had not taught English language for his children, he wrote in English in his Bible that he was married and his children were João José, Alícia Branca, Edmundo Alberto Mercer, Maria de Sá, Leopoldo Leonel, Henrietta Maria and Francisca Mathilda, with their respective dates of birth. This Bible belonged to his father, who had made the following dedication: "It is my desire that this Bible stay with you. Today's sermon was on Luke 15: The return of the son that he loved so much". Three days later, John Mercer Noacks died.

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