REUBEN HEINDEL.

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         Reuben Heindel, who is now living retired at Columbus Junction in the enjoyment of a comfortable home, the result of his prudence and good business judgment, is a native of Columbus City township, and was born June 10, 1860, a son of Samuel and Susan (Rathfon) Heindel, both of whom were native of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in 1853 and located on a farm in Louisa county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father died in April, 1874, and the mother July 1, 1888. There were nine children in their family, five of whom survive, Reuben being the youngest. The others are: David and Samuel, both of whom are living in Colorado; Mary Jane, the widow of Marian Carter and now living in Salt Lake City; and Julia, who is the wife of Edward Williams, of Portland, Oregon.

         Mr. Heindel, of this review, possessed advantages of education in the public schools and grew to maturity under the parental roof. He began farming upon his own account on rented land in Louisa county. After several years he purchased a place on section 3, Columbus City township, which he greatly improved by the erection of buildings and fences and the proper rotation of crops, thus largely adding to its value. He engaged in general agriculture but made a specialty of raising and feeding stock for the market, his labors being abundantly rewarded. After spending nineteen years upon his farm he purchased a handsome residence in Columbus Junction, where he and his family now live.

         On the 22d of March, 1881, Mr. Heindel was married to Miss Emma M. C. Hanft, who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1861, a daughter of John and Helena (Smith) Hanft. Mr. and Mrs. Heindel became the parents of six children, namely: Theodore F., who was born December 5, 1881, and died September 22, 1882; Nellie B., who was born January 25, 1883, and died April 26, 1886; Malcolm J., born November 30, 1885, and now living at home; Helena I., born March 29, 1889, and now the wife of Samuel James, of Columbus City; Eva M., who was born August 13, 1891, and who is at home; and Francis E., born January 11, 1894, and also at home.

         Mr. Heindel is an adherent of the republican party and, while he has not sought public office, he has served as member of the school board. He is not identified with any religious denomination, but his estimable wife is a valued member of the United Brethren church. He early learned the importance of labor and applied himself so industriously that he acquired a competence, thus making it possible for him to relinquish active labor before being obliged to do so by the encroachments of age. A native of Louisa county, he has spent his . . .

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. . . entire life in this section of the state and has been an interested witness of its progress. He is a man of genial social characteristics, frank, straightforward and modest, and one who has always won the confidence of those with whom he associated. His course through life has been honorable and upright and, therefore, he is fully entitled to the esteem in which he is held by the entire community.