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Submitted: 10/23/19 • Approved: 10/23/19 • Last Updated: 10/26/19 • R822854-G0-S3
Sep 15, 1845 IN
Jul 20, 1923
Civil War Veteran
Son of Benjamin Heiny and Elizabeth Lantz Heiny
Benjamin F. Heiny has occupied a prominent position in the affairs of Adair County during his residence here, and is deserving of especial mention in this department of the present volume. He was born in Carroll County, Ind., September 15, 1845. He is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Lantz) Heiny, both natives of Lancaster County, Penn., who removed westward to Indiana in an early day, being among the pioneers of that section. In 1864 Benjamin F., only about nineteen years of age, responded to his country’s call for troops, and enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-Second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, continuing in service until the close of the war, when he was mustered out, together with three brothers, who still survive and are in good health. In August, 1867, Mr. Heiny came to Kirksville, Mo., where he entered the Normal School, taking a two-years’ course in that well-known institution of learning. Subsequently he accepted a position in the county clerk’s office, and in 1874 was elected county clerk, in which office he remained four years. Following this he became engaged in his present mercantile business, though during this time his attention has been directed to other channels of business life. He has held various offices, and as editor of one of the leading papers of the county (with which he is still connected) became widely and favorably known. At Kirksville, in 1870, he married Miss Bella Boyd, originally from Armstrong County, Penn., born in 1844. The names of their five children are Lyda Blanche, Lenora L., Frank R., John Dale and Mary Agnes. Mr. and Mrs. Heiny are members of the Presbyterian Church. The former is Republican in politics; he belongs to the Masonic and A. O. U. W. fraternities, and is Past Commander of Corporal Dix Post, No. 22, G. A. R., in which he is now Assistant Inspector at large.
The History of Adair, Sullivan, Putnam, and Schuyler Counties, Missouri published in 1888 by Goodspeed Publishing Co.
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B. F. HEINY was born in Carroll County, Indiana, September 15, 1845. Lived on a farm in that county until 22 years of age.
Enlisted in Co. B. 142 Indiana Infantry, at Lockport. Indiana in 1864, and served until the close of the war. After returning home from the army he attended school in Idaville, Indiana, for two years, and in the fall of 1867 he came to Kirkville with Profs. Joseph Baldwin and F. L. Ferris and entered what is now the Kirksville State Normal School, September 1st, 1867, being one of the first students to enter the school. He attended the Normal a portion of the time during 1867, 1868, 1869, teaching three terms of school, and doing some writing in the County Clerk's office. He accepted the position of Deputy County Clerk in 1869 and held that position until January 1st, 1875, when he entered on the duties as Clerk, having been nominated and elected without opposition. At the close of his term of office January 1st, 1879 he bought what is now known as the Normal Book Store and soon after bought an interest in the Kirksville Journal and took editorial charge of the paper. The Journal and Book Store were managed by him until 1891 when he sold both properties to accept the Cashiership of the Union Bank, now The National Bank which P.C. Mills and he organized. He remained with the bank as Cashier for 16 years and in January 1908 retired from the bank and on the 1st of March of the same year accepted the position of Secretary of the Kirksville Trust Co. and in April 19[illegible] was elected President and assumed the management of the Company. He is a member of the Board of Education and was for a number of years President of the Board. He has been three times Treasurer of the Board of Regents of the Kirkville State Normal School. He is President of the Journal Printing Co. of Kirbville, and is one of its largest stock holders.
He is a republican, a Presbyterian, a Mason, a K. of P. and a member of Corporal Dix Post No. 22, G.A.R.
History of Adair County, 1911
By Eugene Morrow Violette
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Benjamin Franklin Heiny, Jr. was the son of Benjamin Franklin Heiny, Sr. (1800-1861) and Elizabeth Lantz (1811-1880), both natives of Pennsylvania. He was the 9th out of 11 known children.
B. F. Heiny, Jr. first came to Missouri upon the encouragement of a friend, Frank L. Ferris. Mr. Ferris and his wife were teaching in private schools in Indiana where B. F. Heiny lived. A man named Joseph Baldwin formed the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris and was highly pleased with their work as teachers. He told them of his plans to start a normal school in northeast Missouri and made a conditional arrangement with them to assist him in this work if it came about. The Ferris' moved to Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri, in 1867 and taught in President Baldwin's new school. They also assisted in recruiting new students. Professor Ferris interested two of his young friends in Indiana to come to this school. One of these was B. F. Heiny who came to Kirksville around this same time and spent the rest of his life there, becoming a successful businessman. [Taken from History of the First District State Normal School, Kirksville, Missouri, by Eugene Morrow Violette.]
B. F. Heiny married Sarah Isabel "Bella" Boyd on July 28, 1870 in Adair County, Missouri. They had the following known children:
Elizabeth Blanche Heiny 1872-1960
Margaret/Maggie Boyd Heiny 1874-1879
Lenora Louise Heiny 1876-1973
Frank Roy Heiny 1877-1964 [died in NC]
John Dale Heiny 1879-1970 [died in CA]
Mary Agnes (Heiny) Mills 1883-
B. F. Heiny and P. C. Mills organized the Union Bank in Kirksville which opened in 1891 on the northwest corner of the city square. It became the National Bank in 1898. B. F. Heiny was cashier and president of this bank. This bank is still in this location in 2013, although in a newer building. Mr. Heiny was also part owner of the Kirksville Journal newspaper and later Board President of Journal Printing Company. B. F. Heiny also served as a clerk of the County Court of Adair County, Missouri. He and his wife owned a magnificent home at 703 N. Franklin Street (corner of Franklin and Cottonwood Streets) in Kirksville, Missouri, which was build in 1880. This home still stands today in 2013, although in deteriorating condition.
Photo donated by Larry and Susan Olson
Contributed on 10/23/19
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Record #: 822854