Katharina Heeb

HEEB, GEHRIG

Posted By: Mike Birkett (email)
Date: 7/29/2002 at 13:19:29

Obit. - 10/4/1899 - TH

MRS. KATHARINE HEEB DEAD
Demise of Estimable Widow of Late A. Heeb - Lived Over Fifty Years In Dubuque

Another of the few remaining of the very early settlers of Dubuque has passed to her reward, being Mrs. Katharine Heeb, widow of the late Antone Heeb, Dubuque's pioneer brewer.

The demise of Mrs. Heeb, which occurred Saturday morning at 11 o'clock at the residence, 2125 Couler avenue, while unanticipated by the public generally, was not unexpected by her relatives and intimate friends. Her health has failed rapidly in the last two years and for six months past she was unable to leave her home. She passed away surrounded by her children and friends who have spared no effort or expense to contribute to her comfort and peace of mind during her illness.

Mrs. Heeb was a native of Germany and was born April 9, 1827, her maiden name being Miss Katharine Gehrig. Her parents came to America, when she was in her teens and settled in St. Louis, where in 1846, she and Mr. Antone Heeb were united in marriage. That same year the young people came to Dubuque and she, by her industry and thrift, aided her husband in laying the foundation of the substantial brewery business, he began and his sons and other relatives are now continuing. In 1860 Mr. Heeb took charge of what is now known as Heeb brewery on Couler avenue, and under his management that brewery rapidly developed into a most profitable enterprise. He continued in charge of the Heeb brewery until the time of his death, Jan. 23, 1888.

Mrs. Heeb's continuous residence in Dubuque covers a period of over half a century. Through her husband, who was a very enterprising and public spirited man, Mrs. Heeb made many acquaintances, a great many of which developed into lasting friendship. She was known and esteemed by all the older residents of the city and county and her genial, sympathetic nature made her many friends among the younger generations. She reared a large family all of whom, her sons successful in business and her daughters the matrons of happy homes, bear tribute to her sterling qualities as a woman and mother. All those who knew her husband and had the pleasure of social relation with him and his family testify to what a true and faithful helpmate she was. While her life and every ambition was centered in her home, husband and children, Mrs. Heeb was not indifferent to those less fortunate in life. She was always a cheerful giver to charitable causes and her neighbors and friends bear witness that in cases of distress and sorrow, she was always the first to offer aid and solace. Likewise is it said of her that, happy in her home, she was delighted with the happiness of others and in instances of pleasure and good fortune, she was ever ready with cheery congratulations and good wishes. She was always a devout Christian lady and conscientiously lived up to the bible teaching of doing unto others as she would have them do unto her and hers.

Mrs. Heeb was the mother of ten children of whom Mrs. Fred Tschudi, Mrs. William Zwack, and Mrs. L. J. Baumhover, of Dubuque; Sister Mary Cassilda, of the Convent of Notre Dame, St. Louis; Mrs. Frank Hellman of Fort Dodge; Ben D. Heeb of Chicago; and A.F. Heeb of Dubuque survive her. She is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. Stiefbold, Mrs. William Zumhoff, of Chicago, and Mrs. John Moser, of Dubuque. Her brother Ferdinand Gehrig, died in San Francisco about three months ago.

Notice of the funeral, which will be held Monday morning, appears in another column.

Obit., DDT., 10/1/1899

ASLEEP IN DEATH

Mrs. Catherine Heeb, Widow of the Late A. Heeb, Passes Away

Biographical

Death has again invaded the ranks of the early settlers of Dubuqe, taking Mrs. Catherine Heeb, whose demise occurred at 11 o'clock Saturday forenoon, at her home, 2125 Couler avenue. Mrs. Heeb had been in ill health for some time and her death was not an unexpected event, though it has brought sorrow to many hearts ourside those of her immediate family.

Mrs. Heeb was born in Germany on the 9th of April, 1827, and came to this country about fifty years ago, settling in Dubuque soon after her arrival. Her maiden name was Miss Catherine Gehrig, and in 1846 she was united in marriage to Mr. A. Heeb, then the proprietor of one of the largest brewing establishments in the state. The fruit of the union was ten children, and of these Mrs. Fred Tschudi, Mrs. William Zwack, and Mrs. L. J. Baumhover, of Dubuque: Sister Mary Cassilda, of the Convent of Notre Dame, St. Louis; Mrs. Frank Hellman, of Fort Dodge; Ben D. Heeb, of Chicago; and A. F. Heeb, of Dubuque, survive her. She is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. Stiefbold, Mrs. William Zumhoff, of Chicago, and Mrs. John Moser, of Dubuque. Her brother, Ferdinand Gehrig, died in San Francisco about three months ago.

Mrs. Heeb's death will occasion sincere regret among a very large circle of friends who loved her because of her unostentatious manner and kindly nature. She was a woman who loved the quiet of home life, and her home was indeed a happy one. She was a refined and amiable lady, always considerate of the feelings of others, and no one ever heard her utter an unkind word or one that reflected on others. She was charitable to a degree that the public will never know, for she never dispensed her charity for the purpose of having the world made aware of the fact. She gave with a true, tender and loving heart, and many there are who were the recipients of her favors and who will shed a tear now that she has passed from earth forever. She lived the life of a true Christian, and the passage to the unknown land did not disturb the equanimity of her soul. In the evening of life she has laid down her burden in the valley of the shadow only to pass to the presence of Him who will give her happiness and glory forever.

The funeral will take place at 9 o'clock Monday morning. The services will be at St. Mary's German Catholic church, and the interment will be in the German Catholic Cemetery.