HEFFELFINGER, Edwin M., Dr. 1844-1901

HEFFELFINGER, MILES, EDGINGTON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/25/2016 at 16:09:08

The Passing of Dr. Heffelfinger

Hundreds of People from all Parts of the County and Neighboring Towns Attend the Funeral and Pay their Last Respects to the Dead

The death of Dr. E. M. Heffelfinger occurred at the hospital in Chicago on the morning of the fourth of July at two o'clock from the effects of an operation performed on his hip from which he had been suffering for many weeks. His remains were brought home and interred Sunday afternoon, the funeral occurring from his late-home under the auspices of the Knight Templars lodge of which he was a member.

From the time he was confined to his bed a number of weeks ago it was anticipated that he would have a long siege and many believed that he would never recover as his physical strength was greatly reduced and his suffering was intense from pain. He bore it all patiently however, and was carefully treated by Dr. Eug. A. Crouse and Dr. W. G. Mullarky who gave him the best medical assistance in a kind and brotherly manner. Every physician in town visited and encouraged the patient and gave extended service and sympathy in his severe trial of suffering and if medical skill could have been an agency for his recovery he would have been well and able to be about by this time. But the intervening providence of God has removed him from the activities of life and those who loved and admired him for his actual worth feel his death as a personal loss, and that a friend who never refused a physician's help to suffering humanity has left a vacancy that no one else can fill. His heart throb for the sorrows and pains of others was warm and sympathetic and the sunshine he has brought into many homes and the burdens he has helped to lighten will never be forgotten though he went out of life unrewarded but not unappreciated. He was generous to a fault. What he possessed others could have for the asking.

Commencing his profession early in manhood he not only built up an immense practice but he was eminently fitted as a physician to sustain himself through the most crucial tests of medical skill and stood second to none in the proficiency of his calling. He was kind to the poor, never refusing a call from the humblest sources and rain or shine, through blizzards and sweltering heat, he made his way for miles in every direction responding to the call for medical assistance. Like all other physicians, sometimes he got his pay and sometimes he was fortunate to get a good night's rest for his trouble. But who can say that the reward of the physician can be measured by the puny cup of any human agency?

That Dr. Heffelfinger was loved and appreciated by the community was well attested to by the large attendance at his funeral Sunday afternoon. The yard was full to overflowing and many came from the country and from the adjoining towns to show respect and extend human sympathy.

The services were conducted by the Knight Templars of Iowa Falls, and were impressive and very beautiful. The Eastern Star attended in a body. The honorary pall bearers were: Drs. Crouse, Penfield, Thielen, Bullock, Burns and Lynn. Prof. Taft, Dr. Burns, Messrs. George Rea and Jas. J. Dalgliesh furnished the music. The following Sir Knights of St. Elmo Commandry were present: Allen Meader, John T. Boylan, H. W. Peters, W. S. Porter, H. S. Hammond, F. W. Crockett, E. W. Nuckells, Ezra Nuckells, C. H. Dolphe, Eldora; H. C. Miller, R. E. Stewart, S. S. Shipley, W. B. Grant, H. P. Smith, Wm. M. Morton, A. M. Dillen, W. R. Limplot, R. C. Kennedy, E. G. Simpson, H. B. Huff, J. H. Huium, A. B. Grant, J. H. Stooksberry, J. M. Rinehart, W. Welden, C. Dillon, Iowa Falls; Theo. T. Roosevelt, W. A. Young, S. S. Trainer, C. J. Doepke, Ackley; H. K. Snavley, Cass Smith and R. E. Montgomery, Grundy Center.

The deceased was a soldier of the Civil war and a number of his comrades were present at the funeral services and followed the remains to their last resting place.

Rev. Marsh made a few appropriate remarks and read the following obituary of the deceased.

Edwin M. Heffelfinger, son of Dr. Lewis and Mary Miles Heffelfinger, was born Dec. 21, 1844, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the homestead that had been owned by the Heffelfinger family for many generations.

He attended a Quaker school and academy for some time and at the age of fifteen years moved with his parents to Mt. Carroll, Illinois. He attended the Mt. Carroll seminary until August, 1864, when he enlisted in Company A, 146th Illinois Infantry. He served as a non-commissioned officer util June, 1865. In 1867 Edwin came to Iowa with his parents. His father, Lewis Heffelfinger, was a physician and for some time Edwin studied with him. He took a course of lectures in 1870 at Rush Medical College of Chicago and then practiced for about eighteen months in Stanton, Montgomery county, Iowa. He then attended the Bennett Medical College in Chicago from which he graduated in 1874. He commenced the practice of his profession in Grundy Center that year.

In 1878 the doctor was united in marriage to Mary A. Edgington, daughter of Jonathan Edgington of Eldora. Three children were born in the family, one of whom died in infancy. Two sons, Miles A. and Owen, are living.

Besides the wife and sons the following immediate relatives are left to mourn his death: the aged mother, Mrs. Mary Heffelfinger of Des Moines, three brothers and one sister, John Heffelfinger of Grundy Center, Mrs. Clara L. Moffett of Des Moines, Lewis Heffelfinger of Armstrong, and Harry S. Heffelfinger of Denver, Colorado, Chas. I. Kieter, a cousin of the deceased, and Myra Heffelfinger, a niece, of Grundy Center, and Robert H. Moffett, a nephew, of Des Moines, were present at the funeral. The following named relatives of the bereaved widow were here the latter part of the week: Mr. Jonathan Edgington, Mr. A. W. Edgington, Mrs. J. J. Edgington and Mr. J. E. Igon of Eldora, and Mrs. T. B. Edgington of Memphis, Tenn.

--Grundy County Democrat (Grundy Center, Iowa), 11 July 1901, pg 1