Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 500
JOHN S. HEABNER, residing on section 11, Moscow Township, is one of the pioneer settlers and prominent citizens of Muscatine County. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 17th of May, 1832, and was the only child of Michael Heabner. The father died when John was but two or three years of age, and several years later he accompanied his mother and her brother, Andrew Miller, to America. On arriving in this country they went to Westmoreland County, Pa., settling in Enfield Township, where they resided until their emigration to the West in 1844. They chose Muscatine County for their future home, and soon after Mrs. Heabner became the wife of David Baker. Several years passed, when Mr. Baker removed with the family to Decatur County, Ill., where the death of his wife occurred in 1856.

Our subject remained with his mother until her death, after which he purchased his present farm, which comprises 190 acres, in connection with which he is still the owner of the tract which he first bought. He has done much more toward the development of the land in this county, turned the first furrows on many of its now highly cultivated farms, and for many years owned and operated a thrashing-machine. Many improvements he has added to his own land, and has now one of the finest farms in the county. An elegant residence has been erected upon his place, the out-buildings are models of neatness and convenience, and the entire surroundings indicate thrift and enterprise.

In 1860 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Doefler, who was born in Germany, and came to America with her parents in childhood. By their union have been born a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters---Anna, George, John, Kate, Henry, Frank, Lydia and Willie. The two eldest are married; Anna is the wife of Adolph Kirkover, and George married Lena Rexroad. For forty-five years our subject has been a resident of Muscatine County, has witnessed almost its entire development, and has participated in its growth and progress. He is numbered among the successful farmers of Moscow Township, and is a worthy and respected citizen. Our subject and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church at Moscow, and are ever ready to advance the Master's cause. Their children attend the Sabbath school at Moscow.

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