Anton Heeb

HEEB

Posted By: Mike Birkett (email)
Date: 7/29/2002 at 13:10:08

Obit., 1/24/1888, Daily Herald

DEATH OF A. HEEB

Another of Dubuque's Prominent Citizens Answers the Last Summons

Yesterday afternoon at a quarter past three, death ended the sufferings of one of Dubuque's most prominent citizens, Hon. Anton Heeb. For the past twenty five years he had been afflicted with rheumatism, and for the past year had suffered almost continually with it, though able at times to be up and around. For about two weeks it had been feared hourly that the disease, combined with his advanced age, would result fatally. Yesterday morning he was somewhat brighter than he had been, and his family were hopeful, but a relapse set in and at the hour stated, he died.

Anton Heeb was born April 11, 1811, at Kurheasen, Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1835, landing at Baltimore. From there he went to New Jersy, and in 1836 went to St. Louis. He came to Dubuque in 1846 and in the following year established the foundation of the great business which bears his name. During the more than forty years in which he has conducted the brewing business it has constantly grown so that it became the largest institution of the kind in the state. He was also known to be most scrupulousin all his business dealings, and has left as a precious heirloom, a most enviable name for honesty and integrity. He did not devote his entire attention to the brewing business, but found time to engage in many public enterprises. At the time of the building of the Chicago, Dubuque and Minnnesota and the Chicago, Clinton and Dubuque railroads, he was largely interested in construction contracts in connections with Mr. Morgan. He was a director of the German Bank, and also of the Dubuque Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and was interested in other institutions of the city. He was an honorary member of the Pius Benevolent Society.

Mr. Heeb was twice married his first wife being Miss Caroline Knapp. In 1846 he was united in marriage to Miss Kathrina Gehrig, a native of Germany and a relative of the late Jos. Gehrig. Besides his wife, he leaves surviving his several children, Jacob and Lawrence of LaMars, Iowa, sons by his former wife, and Caroline (Mrs. Fred Tschudi), Julia (Mrs. Michael Zwack, Bertha (Mrs. L. J. Baumhover), Emily (Sister Cassilda, of Red Wing convent), Ben, Anna (Mrs. Frank Hellman of Sioux City), and A. F. The oldest child by his second wife, Louis, died a few years ago.

Mr. Heeb was a most exemplary citizen and was deeply loved by all the members of his family and respected by all who knew him or had business dealings with him. He was a staunch Catholic, and in his last moments received the sacraments and the consolations of his church.

He was during his lifetime, a staunch Democrat and was elected a county supervisor and twice as a member of the city council. His official record was typical of the man, and he endeavored in every way to serve the public with the most scrupulous honesty and with the utmost regard to the public welfate. Dubuque has lost in his death one of her best and most public spirited citizens, and one who will be sincerely mourned.

The funeral will take place from the family residence, 2125 Couler avenue, Thursday morning at half past 9, to St. Mary's church, of which Mr. Heeb was during his life, a most faithful and liberal communicant. The interment will be at the German Catholic cemetery.