Jacob Heinkey

JACOB HEINKEY, one of the most substantial and progressive farmers residing in Osage township, Labette county, Kansas, was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1837. He is a son of Jacob and Sophia (Frank) Heinkey.

Jacob Heinkey was born in Germany, and came to America in 1837. In 1841 he located in St. Joseph county, Indiana, where he lived until his son, Jacob, was about three years old. He then moved to Labette county, Kansas, where his death occurred, in 1894. His wife died in Indiana in 1873. They reared several children, four of whom, died while young. When Mr. Heinkey came over from Germany there was smallpox on the vessel, and he lost two children. The three children now living are: Sophia, a widow who lives at Mishawaka, Indiana; Malchus, a successful farmer who lives near Bremen, Marshall county, Indiana; and Jacob.

Jacob Heinkey, whose name heads this sketch, was reared and schooled in Indiana, where he remained until 1880. He carried on farming while there, and in 1880 removed to Labette county, Kansas. He settled in Osage township, where he bought, of Jarvis Martin, his first 160 acres, - the southwest quarter of section 2, township 31, range 17. Mr. Martin had lived on the claim eight years, and had acquired the title. Mr. Heinkey had but a shanty for a dwelling, and he at once began to make improvements on the place. He had considerable capital, and several head of horses, on locating in Labette county. In 1895 he built a fine barn, 40 by 60 feet in size, which was struck by lightning, and burned, four years later. At that time he was planning a new house, and had a large quantity of dimension stuff and finishing lumber stored in the barn. This also was destroyed. Nothing daunted, Mr. Heinkey at once had the old house torn to pieces, and while the family made themselves as comfortable as possible in a tent, he began the building of a two-story brick house, which was completed in 1900. The main part is 24 by 26 feet, in dimensions, and the addition is 18 by 28 feet. In 1901 he built a summer kitchen, 12 by 16 feet in size, of solid brick. He then built the present ample barn, measuring 40 by 68 feet, which is 31 feet to the gable. He also has a fine cave near the house. He set out an orchard, which is in vigorous condition. Corn and hay are the staple crops, although he carries on general farming and stock raising. He now owns about half of a section, 124 acres of which is near Brooks, Wilson county, Kansas. The railroad runs through Mr. Heinkey's farm, which is one of the finest in the county.

Mr. Heinkey was united in marriage with Mary Ann Smith, who was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, in 1843. Nine children were born to them, three of whom reached maturity, namely: Caroline (Coleman), who lives with her father, and has two children, - Esther, and John Edward; Henry, a successful grain buyer and business man, who is postmaster at Morehead; and Lydia, who died of consumption, at the age of nineteen years. Politically, Mr. Heinkey is a strong Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of the Evangelical Association, - the church being located in Montgomery county, on the same circuit as Dennis.

Mr. Heinkey is widely known in Labette county, where he takes an active interest in all measures which tend to benefit the county.