CHARLES HEINER

View Portrait of Charles Heiner

Agricultural, banking and real-estate circles have all felt the stimulus of Charles Heiner’s keen business sagacity, and few men occupy a more prominent place among the citizens of Lowden than he. One of Iowa’s native sons, he was born in Clinton county on the 18th of May, 1857, and has therefore passed the half century mark on life’s journey. His father, Henry Heiner, was born in Germany but at an early date came to America, casting his lot among the pioneer settlers of Clinton county. Throughout his active life he was engaged in farming but now lives retired in Lowden, having reached the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His sketch appears on another page of the volume.

Charles Heiner was reared upon the farm, and amid the wholesome scenes and healthful environment of country life he learned clean habits and the value of industry, energy and integrity. He received his mental training in the common schools and remained with his parents on the home farm until attaining his majority. Then, taking up independently the occupation to which he had been reared, he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty-one acres in Clinton and Cedar counties and there carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. It was during this period that he first began to realize the value of those early lessons which had been instilled into his mind under the direction of his father and which bore rich fruit in later years. His efforts in agricultural fields proved most successful, and he continued his labors therein until twelve years ago, when, wishing to enjoy the opportunities offered by city life, he left the farm and took up his abode in Lowden. Two years later he became identified with banking interests, assisting in the organization of the Lowden Savings Bank, of which institution he has been president for the past three years. As chief executive he is carefully managing the affairs of the institution with whose interests his own are so closely identified, and the policy which he maintains in the conduct of the bank’s business is one which has awakened the confidence and trust of the general public. In connection with H. H. Petersen, the cashier of the Lowden Savings Bank, he is also engaged in the real-estate business, their firm being a well known and prominent one. They handle Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa land, and their trade in this direction has reached extensive proportions.

Aside from his successful and important business interests Mr. Heiner is the owner of three hundred and twenty-one acres of valuable land in Clinton and Cedar counties, and also possesses an interest in a quarter section of land in North Dakota, which are sources of gratifying remuneration.

In 1883, in Cedar county, the wedding of Mr. Heiner and Miss Mary Reinking was celebrated, the bride being a native of Germany. Unto them have been born seven children, all daughters, as follows: Anna, the wife of E. B. Miller; and Martha, Elizabeth, Emma, Hattie, Elma and Meta. Interested, as all American citizens should be in the political situation of the country, Mr. Heiner has thoroughly informed himself concerning the questions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the principles of the republican party. The conduct of large business interests, however, has made it impossible for him to enter deeply into political matters, although all measures which touch upon the general welfare and the upbuilding of the community find in him a stalwart advocate. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church, the teachings of which he exemplifies daily in both business and private life. His excellent business capacity and the success which has accompanied his efforts in the various channels in which he has labored have won him a foremost place among the most prominent and influential citizens of Lowden. His great popularity with his fellowmen, however, has its foundation not so much in the position to which he has attained in the business world as in his kindly disposition, his genial manner and above all the high principles which have ever governed his life. At all times honorable in his dealings with others, his life has ever measured up to the highest standard of manhood, and his is a splendid example of the power and force of earnest effort, of high principle and of right living.