For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 258
JOHN E. HEATH....The man who has developed land until it becomes a beautiful farm has in an important degree attained success in life and has also added to the permanent wealth of the state and nation. John E. Heath, who wons a valuable farm in Wapsinonoc township, is entitled to record as having accomplished a splended piece of work. A native of Cedar county, Iowa, he was born March 31, 1866, and is a son of Peter and Susan ( Gibson ) Heath, the mother a native of Ohio and the father of New Jersey. The latter removed to Iowa in 1846 and for several years worked for farmers in the neighborhood of Nichols, Muscatine county, after which he started the first store at West Liberty and became the first postmaster of the town. Subsequently he returned to New jersey but soon again took up his residence in Muscatine county upon a farm three and one-half miles west of West Liberty, where he lived until 1855. He farmed on North Prairie and South Prairie and was again identified with the mercantile business in West Liberty, returning to his farm in 1887. He passed away in 1889, his wife departing this life at West Liberty March 3, 1903. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living, namely: Mary, now Mrs. H. L. Metcalf, of Muscatine county; Joseph A., a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Henry, of West Liberty; Charlie, of Johnson county; and John E., our subject.John E. Heath remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, in the meantime having received the advantages of a common-school education and also becoming well acquainted with all kinds of work pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. He began farming on his own account by renting a part of the old homestead for two years, when he purchased eighty acres of land on sections 33 and 34, Wapsinonoc township, and later added seventy-five acres, his farm now consisting of one hundred and fifty-five acres, upon which he has ever since made his home. He gives his attention to general farming, having no special fads, and has had the satisfaction of witnessing improvements not only on his own place but also on those of neighbors. He has transformed his farm into rich and fertile fields, erected new buildings and fences, and added many modern accessories and equipments until he now has one of the most desirable places in this part of the county.
In 1889 Mr. Heath was united in marriage to Miss Ida Carl, born in Cedar county, January 28, 1866, a daughter of Johnathan W. and Lucretia ( Morgan ) Carl, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. They came to Cedar County, Iowa, with their parents when children and grew up in that county. Mr. Carl subsequently removed to Johnson county, where he died February 12, 1878. The mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. S. W. Winn. There were eight children in the family of Mr. and Mra. Carl, seven of whom are now living. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heath but Elmer died in infancy. Those living are William A., now nineteen years of age , who is attending the State University at Iowa City; and Frank H., who is fourteen years of age and is still at home. Mrs. Heath acquired a good education and taught school for six terms previous to her marriage. She takes a great interest in church work and is a valued member of the German Reformed church. Mr. Heath is not identified with any religious denomination but is friendly to them all. Politically he gives his support to the republican party and although he has not sought public office he served very acceptably as member of the school board for two years. He ranks as one of the best farmers of his locality and no other man in the township stands higher in popular esteem.
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