Frederick Heitmeier, an influential and successful business man of Carlyle, was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, October 25, 1830. He is the son of Henry and Mary Heitmeier, the former of whom was a shoemaker in the Fatherland. Believing that the New World offered better opportunities for his own advancement, as well as the prosperity of his children, he emigrated to America in 1845, accompanied by his wife, their son Frederick and six daughters. The family comprised ten children, of whom three sons and one daughter are now living.

Upon landing in the United States Henry HEITMEIER proceeded direct to St. Louis, and in that city made his home with his son Henry until his death, at the age of eighty-seven. He had long been a widower, his wife having died of the cholera in St. Louis in 1849. At the time of emigrating to America Frederick was a lad of fifteen years, energetic, industrious and anxious to achieve success. In St. Louis he served a four years’ apprenticeship to the trade of a shoemaker, and in 1854 came to Carlyle, where he embarked in the boot and shoe business. For more than forty years he has been thus engaged in this city, and such has been the integrity of his actions and the uprightness of his business transactions that he has won the confidence of the people throughout the county.

In St. Louis, in 1854, Frederick Heitmeier was united in marriage with Miss Mina MACKFESSEL, who was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America at the age of sixteen years, accompanying her father, Frederick MACKFESSEL, likewise a native of Hanover. At her home in Carlyle Mrs. Heitmeier passed away in August, 1882. She was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. The second marriage of Mr. Heitmeier occurred in 1883 and united him with Mrs. Mary ROBERTS. This estimable lady was born in Hanover, whence she came to America in 1854, and in St. Louis was married to John Roberts, who died in 1879. By that union she became the mother of nine children, of whom the only survivors are Henry and Joseph, now residents of St. Louis. Mrs. Heitmeier is a daughter of Casper Henry WALKING, who was born in Hanover and emigrated to the United States, where his death occurred.

By his first marriage Mr. Heitmeier had nine children, two of whom are deceased, viz.: Minnie, who died at the age of twenty-two, and Louis, whose death occurred at the age of five years. The others are: Henry, who is working at the saddler’s trade in Carlyle; Frank, who is in business in St. Louis; Edward, a shoemaker by trade and his father’s assistant; Vernie, an employee of the Simmons Hardware Company, of St. Louis; Julia, the wife of T. F. BRINK, of Nashville, Washington County, Ill., he being a prominent merchant of that place; Walter, a grocery clerk in St. Louis; and Samuel, who is engaged with a grocery firm in St. Louis.

In his political affiliations Mr. Heitmeier is a Democrat, and while not solicitous of official honors, has been chosen to serve in various positions of trust. For two years he served as Alderman, and for the same period was a member of the County Board of Supervisors. In educational affairs he is always interested, and for two years was a member of the Board of Education. In religious connections he is identified with the Lutheran Church at Carlyle. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois, 1894, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, IL

Submitted by: Connie Albers

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