HEIDECKER, JOHN M.

HEIDECKER, GROSS, MELZ

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 3/24/2004 at 09:43:57

Biography reproduced from page 141 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

John M. Heidecker, who was one of the prosperous agriculturists of Lincoln township, where he owned two hundred and twenty acres of land, passed away in July, 1912. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, his natal day being the 21st of December, 1876, his parents being Frederick and Catherine (Gross) Heidecker. They have always made their home in Bavaria, where the father, who served through the entire period of the Franco-Prussian war, is still actively engaged in farming. Their family numbers eight, our subject being the second in order of birth. The others are as follows: Frederick, residing in Canada, who formerly owned and operated the farm adjoining that of his brother John; Barbara, who lives in Germany; Henry, a resident of Canada; and Wilhelmina, Wilhelm, Ernest and Mary, all of whom are residing in the old country.

The first seventeen years of the life of John M. Heidecker were passed in his native land, where he was given a common-school education. He subsequently emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Bancroft, Kossuth county. He worked out as a farm hand during the summer, but in the fall he purchased a hundred and twenty acres of land on section 3, Lincoln township. After erecting thereon the necessary buildings he planted groves and an orchard and has ever since devoted his energy to the improvement and cultivation of his farm. As he prospered in his efforts, he was able to make a number of improvements on the place, and later bought another hundred acres of land. He fully merited such success as he achieved, for he came to this country without capital and everything he possessed was purchased at the expenditure of much hard labor. He is thrifty and enterprising, and directs his efforts with intelligence and foresight toward the achievement of a definite purpose.

In 1904, Mr. Heidecker was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Melz, a sister of August Melz, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, and they have become the parents of five children, Minnie, Henry, Elsie, Leona and Ernest.

In religious faith Mr. Heidecker was a Lutheran, and held membership in the German church of that denomination, to which his wife also belongs. He enjoyed the full rights of citizenship, giving his support to the republican party, and for four years served as trustee in Lincoln township. Public-spirited and progressive, honorable in his business transactions, and possessing high standards of conduct, Mr. Heidecker represented a most desirable class of citizens. He was highly esteemed in his community, where he had many friends.