Heeren, John 1851-1931

HEEREN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Doris Hoffman (email)
Date: 7/1/2010 at 17:35:01

John Heeren, a resident of northwest Plymouth county for more than a half century, passed away Friday, June 12,
1931, at the home of his son, Fred, In Grant township, this county, at the age of 70 years, 8 months and 18 days, after
a brief Illness of aliments incident to advanced age.

John Heeren was born in Osifriesland, Germany, September 24, 1851. At the age of five, he came with his parents
to America and settled at Dixon, Illinois. From there the family moved to Monticello, Iowa, and later to Plymouth
county, Iowa. While Mr. Heeren was still a young man, he assisted in building the first railroad
through the small frontier village of Le Mars. On September 22, 1875, he was united In marriage with Helena
Johnson, who preceded him In deatheight years ago. Nine children were born Into the family circle. They are;
Mrs. Clara Anderson, of near Adavllle, this county; Edward Heeren, west of Akron, in Union county, S. D.; Mrs.
Lillie Goodrich, of Adavllle; Mrs. Betty Smith, of Fowler, Colo.; Mrs. Seralda Baldwin, of Akron; Fred Heeren, who
lives on the old home place in Grant township; Mrs. Marie Baldwin, of Adaville; Everett Heeren of Le Mars;
and Oscar Heeren, who died in infancy.

He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Kate Specht, of Coleridge, Nebr.; and 27 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

These relatives have the sympathy of many friends In the
loss of a kind and devoted father, brother and grandfather.

Mr. and Mrs. Heeren braved the rigors of many a stormy winter and endured the burning heat of many a
summer, toiling together that they might have a home for their growing family. Eight years ago the wife com-
pleted the task God assigned to her and lay to pleasant dreams. And now the husband’s days have ended, his toiling is over. Peace to his ashes.

Funeral services were held Monday Afternoon at 1 o’clock from the home and at 2 o’clock at the Plymouth Pres-
byterian church, conducted by Rev. W. E. Smith. The services were largely attended by friends and neighbors,
who came to pay their last respects to this old pioneer. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Relatives and friends who came from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Buckman, Mr.
and Mrs. John Vock, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hanson, Mrs. Carl Willms, Miss Sonn Willms, Wm. Willms and wife,
Mr. and Mrs. John Frericks, Mr. and Mrs. Will Frericks, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Frericks, Frank Miller, Mr. and Mrs.
Louie Habne, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Specht, from Coleridge, Nebr.; Miss Anna Miller, of Sioux City, Ia.; Mr.
and Mrs. Walter Thompson, of Sargeant Bluff, Ia.; Mrs. Nona Johnson and daughter, of Hudson, S. D.; Rev.
and Mrs. D. Hoover, of Denver, Colo.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, June 18, 1931
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Another Obituary, different newspaper:

EARLY SETTLER BARE PRAIRIE
John Heeren Was One Of First Residents in Grant Township
WORKED ON RAILROAD
Lives For Fifty Years On Farm Where He Died

Last rites were held Monday afternoon at the Plymouth Presbyterian Church
near Crathorne for John Heeren, aged 80 years, a pioneer of Plymouth County.
Mr. Heeren had lived on the farm in Grant township, where he died, for fifty
years. His death was due to senility. He had declined rapidly of late in
physical and mental powers.

A large number of old friends and neighbors attended the funeral. The
services were conducted by Rev. W. E. Smith, pastor of the Plymouth church,
assisted by Rev. A. Sours, of Vermillion, S.D.

John Heeren was born in Ostfriesland, Germany, on September 24, 1851, and
died at the Heeren home in Grant township, Plymouth County, June 12, 1931,
at the age of 79 years, 8 months and 18 days.

He was brought to this country by his parents when he was a boy of five
years old. They were early settlers near Dixon, Illinois, and from there
came to Jones county, Iowa, locating near Monticello where many of their
countryman had settled.

Came Here in Seventies
When the land boom struck Northwestern Iowa in the late seventies and early
eighties the Heeren family with hundreds of others from European countries
flocked to this part of the state.

Worked On Railroad
John Heeren coming here as a youth worked on the railroad being built from
the east to Fort Dodge, LeMars and Sioux City.

John Heeren was united in marriage with Helena Johnson, September 22, 1875.
She preceded him in death eight years ago. Nine children were born to them,
one of whom died in infancy. The children are Mrs. Clara Anderson, of
Adaville; Edward Heeren of Akron; Mrs. Lillie Goodrich, of Adaville; Mrs.
Betty Smith of Fowler; Mrs. Serelda Baldwin, of Akron; Fred Heeren, living
on the home farm; and Everett Heeren, of LeMars; Mrs. Marie Baldwin, of
Adaville. He also leaves twenty-seven grandchildren, nine great
grandchildren. One sister survives him, Mrs. Kate Specht, of Coleridge, Neb.

Pioneers On Prairie
Mr. and Mrs. Heeren with other early settlers in this vicinity, encountered
obstacles and hardships after first locating on the raw prairie to develop a
farm and home. Their toilsome efforts, industry and perseverance brought
material reward. They prospered and lived to enjoy the fruits of their
labors, and lived in happy surroundings and comfortable circumstances
undreamed of even in childhood hours.

~Source: The LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, June 19, 1931