Individual Details
Johann Hinrich "Henry" Heiken
(10 Jul 1837 - 25 Jun 1924)
After brief stops in Chicago and Wisconsin, he, per family legend, walked across the Mississippi River via the winter ice and settled in Castle Grove Township, Jones County, Iowa. He brought land on 16 March 1868 in Section 21, 166 1/3 acres in the SE corner for $2,200.00 from John W. Rastede and his wife, Catherine. Johann lived and farmed on this land.
Once settled, he married his first cousin, Maria Heiken, on 9 March 1870. Maria (Mary) Heiken was born on 26 October 1852 in Ovelgönne, Germany, the daughter of Gerd J. Heiken and Folke Margaretha Benders. Maria and her parents had come to the United States about 1868 or 1869. She claimed that she worked with the men when she was young as they got better wages. The couple raised four children.
Johann spent all his working years as a farmer. Farming in this era was mostly handwork, with horses or oxen used for the heavy pulling and plowing. Corn was picked by hand and most other crops still needed the grain harvested by hand or with the use of animals to knock the grain out of the straw. The dairy industry didn't arrive until motor vehicles allowed faster access to market. Johann expanded his acreage by buying 186 acres in the NW corner of Section 21, and 200 acres in the SE corner of in Section 16.
All three of these farms he gave or sold to his children upon retirement. The farm of 168 acres in the NW corner of Section 21 was sold or given to his oldest son, Ihnke Albert. The 200 acres in the SE corner of Section 16 went to his other son. The original 166 1/3 acre farm went to Anna (Mrs. Balster), except for a small piece on the NW corner of the Balster farm. This plot he kept to build a home for his retirement.
Johann was an active member of the Lutheran Church. In 1879, John Henry and Albert Heiken were two of the founders of Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Castle Grove Township. John Henry served as a trustee and took part in writing the articles of incorporation. The first meetings were held bi-weekly in the school house on Prairie Hill. John Henry Heiken and the other trustees, John Stadtmueller and Peter Ommen, were able to buy the church building from the Prairie Hill Baptist Church for $500 on November 17, 1884.
Johann made several trips back to Germany. He bought pretty gifts back to Maria. Maria never seemed to appreciate these gifts nor really knew their value.
He passed away on 25 June, 1924 at the age of 86 and was buried in the Prairie Hill Cemetery, which is across the road from the Lutheran Church.
(Monticello Express, March 4, 1920)
John Henry Heiken and wife to L F. Balster and Anna Heiken Balster, warranty deed, se¼ ne¼ and e½ se¼ section 21 and part nw¼ ne¼ sections 12-86-4, 135 acres; $1.00 and other considerations.
Events
Families
Spouse | Wübke Maria "Mary" Heiken (1852 - 1948) |
Child | Ihnke Albert Heiken (1871 - 1944) |
Child | Gerd T. Janssen "John" Heiken (1873 - 1941) |
Child | Anna Catharina Heiken (1884 - 1928) |
Child | Margaretha Elizabeth Heiken (1886 - 1969) |
Father | Ihnke Heiken (1796 - 1851) |
Mother | Hilke Catharina "Hille" Janßen (1802 - 1887) |
Sibling | Albert Heiken (1829 - 1873) |
Sibling | Hilke Catharina Heiken (1831 - ) |
Sibling | Anke Maria Heiken (1834 - ) |
Sibling | Anna Elisabeth Heiken (1839 - 1856) |
Sibling | Heike Eberhard Heiken (1842 - ) |
Notes
Immigration
Johann came to America in 1866; this date is on the walnut trunk that he had made in Ovelgönne to carry his belongings aboard the ship. War was brewing at home and the American Civil War had ended the previous year.His immigration allowed him to escape service in the Austro-Prussian War which was fought in 1866 between the Austrian Empire and it's German allies and the Kingdom of Prussia and it's German allies. Ostfriesland was at that time part of the Kingdom of Hanover, ruled by George V. Neutral for awhile, Hanover voted on June 14 in favor of mobilizing Confederation troops against Prussia. With Prussia's victory Hanover lost its independent Kingdom status and was annexed by Prussia becoming the Province of Hanover.
Property
Brought from John W. Rastede & wife, Cathrine for $2,200.00Marriage
St. John's Lutheran Church, Monticello, IowaHeinrich Heiken --Maria Heiken -- March 9 , 1870
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/marriage/bookb2.htm
Last Name First Name Last Name First Name Date Page
Heiken Henry Heiken Mary 1870 Mar 09 560
Census (family)
54, 57 Heiken, Henry 33 M W Farmer 2400, 500 HanoverMary 18 F W Keeping House Hanover
Census (family)
1880 Census listed as age 43, born in Hanover. Wife, Mary, age 27, born in Hanover. Two sons born in Iowa, Albert, age 9, and John,age 7. Was a Farmer all his years in Iowa (Animals/ crops( Hanover was part of what now is FRG).
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Henry HEIKEN Self M Male W 43 HANOVER Farmer HANOVER HANOVER
Mary HEIKEN Wife M Female W 27 HANOVER Keeping House HANOVER HANOVER
Albert HEIKEN Son S Male W 9 IA Attending School HANOVER HANOVER
John HEIKEN Son S Male W 7 IA Attending School HANOVER HANOVER
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Source Information:
Census Place Castle Grove, Jones, Iowa
Family History Library Film 1254348
NA Film Number T9-0348
Page Number 287A
Census (family)
Ln Dw Fm Surname Given Name Tw Rn Se Loc Age Sex M Occupation Birthplace Fa Mo Other11 Heiken ? J. H. 86 4 21 NW SE 47 M Married Farmer Germany F F Voter
12 Heiken ? Mrs. J. H. 32 F Married Germany F F
13 Heiken ? Albert 13 M Jones F F
14 Heiken ? John 11 M Jones F F
15 Heiken ? Anna 0 F Jones F F
Census (family)
15 S M Hosford 22 M S Jones Co Ia " " Farmer16 105 105 J H Heiken 57 M M Germany F F " Luthern
17 Mary Heiken 42 F M " " " House Keeper "
18 Albert Heiken 24 M S Jones Co Ia " " Farmer "
19 John Heiken 22 M " " " " " "
20 Anna Heiken 10 F " " " " "
21 Lizzie Heiken 8 F " " " " "
23 106 106 Tomas Haley 74 M M Ireland F F Farmer Catholic
Census (family)
129, 129, Heiken, Henry, Head, WM, July 1837, 67, married 32 yrs, Germany Germany, Germany, 1866 34 yrs Na, Farmer, Own Farm FreeMary, Wife, WF, Oct 1852, 47, M-32, 4 children born & living, Germ X3, 1869 30 yrs in US,
Annie, Daughter, WF, May 1884, 16, S, Iowa, at school
Elizabeth, Daughter, WF, Nov 1886, 13 S, Iowa, at school
Census (family)
In the 1910 census, Henry (72 yrs.) and Maria (65 yrs.) were living with their daughter Anna and son-in-law Lorenz Balster. They had been married for 41 years and had 4 children, all living. Both were from Germany of German parents. The immigration date was hard to read. It looked like 1860, but could have been 1866. Dad would still go for 1866 as he says " I was always told that he waited for the US Civil war to be over, which was 1865." He also commented that " I notice that the Great Grandparents were still living with their daughter. Guess they may not have built the house that I visited till later."101, 101 Balster, Lorenz, Head, MW, 27, Married 0 yrs, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois English Farmer Farm Own Account yes yes R F F 96
Anna, Wife, FW, 26, M-0, Iowa Ger.English Ger.English English none yes yes
Barto, Frederick Hired man M W 18 S Iowa / Ger.English/ Ger.English English Hired Hand
Heiken, Henry Father-in-law M W 72 M, 41 Ger. English /Ger.German /Ger. German/ 1860 NA English (spoke) None
Mary Mother-in-law F W 65 M,41 4,4 (children born, alive) Ger. English /Ger.German /Ger. German/1868 or 5? (immigration) English (spoke) None
Census (family)
56, 57 Heiken, John H Head Own Farm 82 , Imm. 1866, Na 1872 East Friesland x3Martha Wife 67, 1869, Na 1872 East Friesland x3
No occupation
(retired)
Will
218 RECORD OF WILLS, No. 7LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
That I, John Henry Heiken, of the County of Jones, State of Iowa, being of sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this to by my last Will and Testament as follows:
First, after my lawful debts are paid, I give, devise, and bequeath to my beloved wife, Maria Heiken, all my personal property and real estate by me now owned. All this property she is to have and won during her natural life. After the death of my said wife, all the property hereby devised or bequeathed to her, as aforesaid, or so much thereof as my then remain unexpended, I give to my two sons, I.A. Heiken and G. J. Heiken, and My two daughters, Mrs. Anna Heiken Balster and Mrs. Elizabeth Heiken Burrack, share and share alike.
Last: I hereby constitute and appoint my said wife, Maria Heiken to be the executrix without bonds of this my last Will and Testament.
JOHN HEIKEN
Signed, declared, and published by the above named, as for his last Will and Testament, in presence of us, who at his request have signed as witnessess to the same this 21st day of February, 1924, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twenty four.
REV. MICH. SCHERF
GEO H. MOENK
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE )
OF ) IN PROBATE
JOHN HENRY HEIKEN, DECEASED. ) CERTIFICATE OF PROBATE OF WILL
I, W. L. Pearson, Clerk of the District Court, in and for said county and estate, do hereby certify that on the 12 day of August 1939, the will of John Henry Heiken deceased, to which this certificate is annexed, which will is dated February 21st 1939, was duly admitted to probate be said court as and for the last will and testament of said decedent.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
(SEAL) of said court, at Anamosa, Iowa, this 17 day of August 1939.
W. L. PEARSON BY: ELIZA THOENI
CLERK DEPUTY
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE )
OF ) AFFIDAVIT OF DECEASE ON FILING WILL
JOHN HENRY HEIKEN, DECEASED. )
I, George H. Balster, being first duly sworn do on oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with John Henry Heiken during his lifetime,and at the time of his death, and that he departed this life in Castle Grove Township, in Jones County, State of Iowa, on the 5th day of June, 1924, being at the time thereof a resident of the County and State named in the caption above.
GEORGE BALSTER
Subscribed in my presence and sworn to before me this 19th day of July, 1939.
(SEAL) ELBERT G. HEISERMAN
NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR JONES COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE )
OF ) NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL
JOHN HENRY HEIKEN, DECEASED. )
I C. A. Doxsee being duly sworn, state that I am one of the publishers of The Monticello Express, a newspaper published at Monticello, Jones county, Iowa, and that the attached notice was published in said newspaper for three consecutive weeks beginning July 27 1939, and ending August 10 1939.
PRINTER'S FEES $6.66
C. A. DOXSEE
Subscribed in my presence and sworn to before me by C. A. Doxsee, on this 14 day of August 1939.
ELBERT G HEISERMAN
(SEAL) NOTARY PUBLIC
Death
JOHN HENRY HEIKEN OF CASTLE GROVE TOWNSHIP PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY.John Henry Heiken.
John Henry Heiken died at his home n Castle Grove township yesterday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, following an illness, which commenced last fall. Mr. Helken was born in Repsholdt, Germany, July 10, 1837, and would therefore have been 87 years of age next month. He emigrated to the United States, in 1868, and settled In Milwaukee, where he lived until removing to the vicinity to Monticello. He worked for a number of years upon various farms in this vicinity, and later purchased a farm in Castle Grove township, upon which he made his home until his death. The farm is located 6 ½ miles west of Monticello.
Mr. Heiken was married March 9, 1872. He and his wife celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1922. There were four children born to this union: Albert Heiken of Castle Grove township; John Heiken of Wayne township; Mrs. Lawrence Balster of Castle Grove township, and Mrs. Henry Burrack of Strawberry Point. All of these children including Mrs. Heiken survive the deceased. Mr. Heiken retired from active farm labor thirteen years ago, and has been living in a small house on the corner of his farm, which is now being conducted by Lawrence Balster.
He was a member of the Prairie Hill Lutheran church, and was a member of the first board of trustees who organized that church, September 18, 1878. At the time that the cornerstone for the new church was laid, Mr. Heiken was the only surviving member of the first officers of that church. The funeral services will be held at the family home next Saturday afternoon, and will be conducted by Rev. M. Schert, the pastor of the Castle Grove Lutheran church. Burial be had at the Prairie Hill cemetery.
Heiken, John Henry b. 10 July 1837 Germany d. 25 June 1924 Jones mother's maiden Unknown no. 53-0550 box D2260
Burial
Jones County Gravestone RecordsPage: 84
Name: John H. Heiken
Birth Date: 10 Jun 1837
Death Date: 25 Jun 1924
Cemetery: Prairie Hill
Town: Castle Grove
7 7 John H Heiken 07/10/1837 6/25/1924
Endnotes
1. Janssen, Ludwig, Erhard Schlte and Hans Rudolph Manger, compiler, Die Familien der Kirchengemeinde Reepsholt (Aurich: Ostfriesische Landschaft, 1982), p 462 #2428.
2. 1900 Federal Census, Iowa, Jones Co. (read by Nancy Prouty, Nov. 24, 2000).
3. 1900 Federal Census, Iowa, Jones Co. (read by Nancy Prouty, Nov. 24, 2000).
4. 1910 Federal Census, USA, Iowa, Jones Co. (read July 2000 by Nancy Prouty).
5. Files in recorders office, Book 31, page 551 (Iowa, Jones Co.), Book 31, page 551.
6. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Sand Hill/Monticello , Jones Co., Iowa GenWeb online [http://iowajones.org/churches/LuthStJohns.htm], accessed 2002 -2008.
7. US Federal Government, Federal Population Census 1870. Jones Co., Iowa Roll 401. Iowa Vol. 16 (1-254A) Jones Co. (read Jun 28, 2001, Nancy Prouty.), Castle Grove Township, P.O. Langworthy.
8. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1870 > IOWA > JONES > CASTLE GROVE TWP Series: M593 Roll: 401 Page: 16.
9. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints., Transcription of the United States Federal Population Census - 1880 (http://www.familysearch.org/ Oct. 2002).
10. 1885 State Census, Iowa, Jones Co. Ln=Line Number Dw=Dwelling number Fm=Family number Tw=Township Rn=Range Se=Section Loc=Location M=Marital status Fa=Father (Native/Foreign) Mo=Mother (Native/Foreign) (transcribed by Don Thomson for Rootsweb http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/census/85castle.htm 2002).
11. 1895 Iowa State Census. Castle Grove Township PAGES 44-67 + 931 Monticello Township PAGES 463-490 Monticello City PAGES 494-515, PAGES 516-537 Scotch Grove PAGES 753-776 (transcribed by Joanne Wilken http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/census/census.htm 2002).
12. 1900 Federal Census, Iowa, Jones Co. (read by Nancy Prouty, Nov. 24, 2000).
13. 1910 Federal Census, USA, Iowa, Jones Co. (read July 2000 by Nancy Prouty).
14. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1910 > IOWA > JONES > CASTLE GROVE TWP Series: T624 Roll: 409 Page: 14.
15. US Population Census - Iowa, Jones Co., 1920 (read Dec 17, 2001 by Nancy Prouty), SD 5 ED 63 sheet 3B (123).
16. Iowa. District Court (Jones County), , John Henry Heiken in the Record of Wills, Vol 6-7, 1927-1946; "Probate Records, 1844-1965," digital images, Ancestry.com (: accessed 28 April 2020).
17. SS Peter & Paul Lutheran Church Centennial Book. 100th Anniversary 1879-1979. (Monticello, Iowa: Church Committee. 1979.), p. 46.
18. Tombstone, Prairie Hill Cemetery, USA, Iowa, Jones Co., Castle Grove Twp. (Section 21 ); Jim Christianson for Jones County Genealogy Society,
19. "Two deaths in our vicinity this week," obituary, Monticello (Iowa) Express, 26 June 1924; Ross & Elizabeth Baty Public Library (http://batypl.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 28 January 2011), Newspaper Digital Archives.
20. Iowa State Archives, Death Certificate Index - Jones County (July 1918-1939) Query(http://www.iowahistory.org/archives/holdings/state-archives/death-certificates/assets/jones-county.pdf : accessed 14 August 2015), .
21. SS Peter & Paul Lutheran Church Centennial Book. 100th Anniversary 1879-1979. (Monticello, Iowa: Church Committee. 1979.), page 46.
22. Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com/ Copyright © 1998-2000, MyFamily.com Inc. and its subsidiaries.), Iowa Cemetery Records.
23. Tombstone, Prairie Hill Cemetery, USA, Iowa, Jones Co., Castle Grove Twp. (Section 21 ); Jim Christianson for Jones County Genealogy Society,
24. WPA - Work Project Administration 1930's Graves Resgistration Survey, IAGenWeb, IowaWPAGraves.com online [http://iowawpagraves.org/index.php], accessed Oct 2008.
25. , "Iowa Graves Survey WPA," database, WPA - Work Projects Administration 1930's Grave Registration Survey (http://iowawpagraves.org : accessed 1 March 2012), .