JOHN HENEKS

View Portrait John Heneks and Family

The home farm of John Heneks lies on sections 3 and 10, Linn township, and comprises two hundred and eighty acres of rich land that is well improved and indicates the careful supervision of the owner, whose methods are at once practical and progressive. The leading features of the place—the cultivation of grain and the raising of stock—are both carefully carried on.

Mr. Heneks is a native of Linn township, born March 27, 1859. His father, David Heneks, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1838 and was there reared and educated. In early manhood he learned the millwright’s trade, which he followed for some time. Before leaving Pennsylvania he was married to Miss Mary Keiser, also a native of Philadelphia. Removing westward to Iowa, they settled in Cedar county about 1856, and for three years resided upon a farm in Linn township. Later David Heneks removed with his family to Jackson county, Kansas, driving across the country with an ox-team. Taking up his abode there he made his home in that locality throughout his remaining days. For a time he followed farming but later sold his land and turned his attention to the operation of a flourmill. His death occurred April 19, 1909, while his wife passed away July 3, 1906.

John Heneks, when his father and mother went to Kansas, remained in Iowa with his grandparents. He was then a lad of three years and was reared upon a farm here. He attended the district schools but is largely self-educated, experience, observation and reading having made him a well-informed man. On the 31st of August, 1882, he was united in marriage in Linn township to Miss Melissa Andre, a native of this county and a daughter of Andrew Andre and a sister of A. P. Andre, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Mr. and Mrs. Heneks began their domestic life on a farm which he rented and after five years he purchased eighty acres of land, giving his attention to its cultivation and improvement. From time to time he added to his property as his financial holdings increased and now has almost three hundred acres. There are good buildings upon the place and everything is kept in repair. The fields are fenced with woven wire and all the latest improvements and accessories of a model farm are here to be found. He has a gasoline engine for grinding feed and an elevator to unload and lift the corn to the cribs, and he has built a hog house with cement floor. There are fine driveways upon the place and he has set out both a grove and orchard, which constitute attractive features of the farm. The well improved property of today is an indication of his well spent life, his untiring industry and his progressive ideas. In connection with the cultivation of the fields he raises and feed considerable stock, making a specialty of Duroc Jersey hogs, of which he fattens and ships about two carloads each year. He has a fine registered shorthorn male and is engaged in the breeding of shorthorn cattle, having now an excellent herd upon his place.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heneks have been born three sons and two daughters: Eldora, the wife of Harvey Ellison, a resident farmer of Linn county; Alva Ada, who is engaged in teaching; Floyd Parker, who assists in carrying on the home farm; John Ivan, who is also upon a farm; and Willard, who is attending school.

Politically Mr. Heneks is a republican and has served as township trustee and justice of the peace. He has also been a member of the school board for years and for a long period served as president of the board. He has been called to serve on the petit and grand juries and has frequently been a delegate to the county conventions. In the discharge of his duties he has ever displayed unfaltering loyalty to the best interest of the community. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church and their good qualities of heart and mind have endeared them to many friends. Mr. Heneks has spent his entire life in this county, developing one of the best farms in Linn township, and in other ways he has aided materially in improving and upbuilding this section of the state, being well known as a public-spirited citizen of tried integrity and worth.