Nicholas Herkimer, eldest son of Johan Jost Herchheimer, was born here. He became a general in the Revolutionary War and the hero of Oriskany. On August 3-6, 1777, he took a 40 mile route to relieve Fort Stanwix, and the Battle of Oriskany on August 6, between Herkimer's men and St. Leger with his Indians, was the turning point of the Revolution. The town and county of Herkimer were named in his honor.