James Heacock

DR. JAMES HEACOCK, president of the board of United States pension examiners, is a highly esteemed citizen of Parsons. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, July 29, 1842, and is a son of Willin Heacock, and grandson of Jacob Heacock, the latter a native of Philadelphia.

Willin Heacock was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and was reared a farmer. He followed farming and sheep raising until his death, which occurred in Meigs county, Ohio, at the age of thirty-five years. He married Maria Edmundson, both being of the Quakerfaith. She died in Kansas at the age of fifty-two years. They reared two sons: James H. and Howard P., a mining engineer of Spokane, Washington.

Dr. James Heacock received his elementary education in Meigs county, Ohio, and at the age of fourteen years began the study of medicine under Dr. Elben, of Pomeroy, Ohio. During the Civil war he enlisted in the 7th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., but the state's quota having been filled, that company was prevented from going to the front. After a period of three months, he re-enlisted in the 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was transferred to the 7th Ohio Battery of Light Artillery. He went out in 1863 and served two years and one month, being discharged August 11, 1865. He was in the First Division of the 17th Army Corps, and participated in the engagement at Island No. 10 and in the siege of Vicksburg. He was clerk of the battery during the entire period of his service. After the war, he engaged in the practice of his profession. He settled in Kansas in 1869, and on October 16th, of that year took up a claim in North township, Labette county, upon which claim he lived. In 1871 and 1872 he took a course of lectures in the St. Louis Homeopathic Medical College, and received a degree. He resided upon his farm in Labette county, which he improved, and engaged also in the practice of medicine until 1882, when he accepted a position with the Northern Pacific Railway Company, as surgeon. He remained with this company two and a half years, and then located in the city of Parsons. In 1885 he sold his farm of 320 acres, at that time the best improved farm in the county. He had a good orchard of 40 acres and a fine three-story brick house; the consideration of the sale was $20,000. The Doctor has since resided in Parsons, and enjoys a lucrative practice, in addition to his official position.

March 17, 1867, Dr. Heacock was united in marriage with Anna Gaston, of Meigs county, Ohio, and they have the following children: Eva M., wife of C. W. Ryan, of Parsons; Myrta M., wife of E. A. Wallon, of Parsons; Ida M., a teacher in the Parsons schools; Nina D., wife of Luther Ryan, of Parsons; and J. Howard, who attends the Parsons High School, and is a member of the class of 1902. Dr. Heacock is a member of Post No. 81, G. A. R., and is post surgeon. He is also a member of the Select Knights and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, - in both of which he is surgeon. In politics, he is a Republican, and has been president of the board of pension examiners since 1897. Mrs. Heacock established the Floral Park Greenhouse in 1895, and has since conducted it, - handling all kinds of flowers. She is possessed of exceptional business ability and has met with success in her undertaking. She edited the Searchlight, under the auspices of the W. R. C., for three years. It was a monthly journal devoted to the interest of the old soldiers and their widows.