Louis Hebert was born October 15, 1814, in St. Louis County,
Missouri, about six miles from the City of St. Louis. His father,
who was one of the early settlers of that County, was a son of Joseph
Hebert, who was a native of France, and came to America about the year
1770, settling in St. Louis, where he died in 1820.
In 1829 Louis, then a boy about eighteen years of age, came up to Fort Armstrong on a keel - boat and then to Rock Island with Mons
Labeau, a Government gunsmith connected with the Indian Agency
there. He remained about one year with Labeau, when he was
employed by Colonel Davenport, father of George L. Davenport, with
whom he remained a year or two. At that time he and George L. were
the only white boys in all this section. They were almost constantly
in each other's company and grew up with all the intimate and friendly
relations of brothers. Leaving the island he came over to Davenport
and was employed by Antoine Le Claire for two years in erecting his
block-house on the ground where the passenger depot now stands, and
that was the first house erected within the present corporate limits of the
City of Davenport. He began as an apprentice under Harvey Leonard
and soon mastered the brick mason's trade, after which he went into
partnership with Mr. Leonard and the firm existed for a number of years.
Mr. Hebert built many of the residences and brick blocks in this city,
which stand to-day as monuments of his handiwork.
The following paragraph is from his obituary notice: "Louis Hebert was one of our most respected, most industrious and
most reliable citizens. A more honest, upright, conscientious man never
lived. In all his dealings he was the soul of honor, and when he gave
his word it was as sacred as a sworn obligation. He was a perfect
pattern of industry. Though a man who could count his own dollars
by the tens of thousands, he never could find any resting place in his
business affairs. Commencing the battle of life without a penny he
early learned the value of money, and though reared without the benefit
of any book learning he was remarkably successful. Let it not be
inferred that he was at all miserly or illiberal, for a warmer-hearted
and more benevolent man was not often found. He ever had a good
word and a helping hand for the needy and distressed. He leaves a
wife and one son to mourn his loss. In their deep bereavement they
have the kindest sympathy of hundreds of warm friends."
Mr. Hebert died August 20, 1867, after one week's illness.
Joseph L. Hlebert was the only child born to Louis and Margaret
(Motier) IIebert, January 31, 1845, being the date and the City of St.
Louis the place of his birth. Mr. Hebert received his primary education
in Davenport, after which he attended college in South Bend, Indiana,
and graduated from the University of the Lake at Chicago in 1864.
After he returned from college he entered his father's office as
bookkeeper, where he remained about three years. He then went into
the grocery business, in which he engaged one year. At the end of that
time he began work for John L. Coffin in a real estate office, and was
employed there two years, after which he was in the livery business
for seven years. At a later date he went to Northwestern Iowa and
Southern Minnesota and engaged in baling and shipping wild hay,
continuing in that business several years and then returning to
Davenport. Shortly after his return he was elected to the office of city
clerk for a term of two years, and was later elected secretary of the
Davenport Fair and Exposition.
On June 29, 1866, he married Mary Eugenia, daughter of Stephen R.
and Rachel T. King, who were natives of Baltimore, Maryland, and came
to Davenport in 1857. Mr. Hebert is a thorough business man and is
held in high esteem by his business and social associates. He and his
wife are members of the Catholic Church.
BIOGRAPHIES