IowaJones/Biographies/E. J. Head

E. J. Head–M. Heisey

Edward Jackson Head
Born August 22, 1852

Edward Jackson Head, a progressive and enterprising agriculturist of Cass township, Jones county, where he owns and operates a good farm of one hundred and forty acres, was born in Clinton county, Iowa, on the 22d of August, 1852. He is a son of W. A. and Ann Head, both natives of England, where the former was born in 1812 and the latter in 1818. They were married across the waters and came to Iowa in 1850, locating in Clinton. The father was a carpenter, cabinet-maker and upholsterer, and followed that line of activity after his arrival in this country, while be also devoted some time to farming. He and his wife both passed away in Jackson county, Iowa, his death occurring when he had reached the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey, while his wife was called to her final rest at about the same age. Their family consisted of eight children, namely: Ann Gregory, of Dewitt, Iowa; Ellen, who married Walter Johnson and resides in Rock Island, Illinois; W. A., deceased, who served for two years in the Civil war as a member of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry; George, who has also passed away; Martha, of Welton, Clinton county, Iowa; Edward Jackson, of this review; John, who makes his home in Jackson county; and Frank, also of that county.

Edward Jackson Head was but a small lad when he removed with his parents to Jackson county, the family home being established near Fulton, and within the borders of that county he was reared to manhood. He acquired his education in the district schools and at the same time assisted his father in the work of the fields, thus acquiring a good knowledge of the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He remained under the parental roof until 1880, in which year he came to Jones county and for one year was engaged as a farm hand by the month. He then carried on agricultural pursuits as a renter for a similar period, at the expiration of which time he purchased eighty acres of his present farm, located on section 1. Later he added another eighty-acre tract on section 2 and then sold twenty acres, so that his property today consists of one hundred and forty acres. The soil is naturally rich and productive, and under his careful management has been brought to a high state of cultivation. He has made many improvements upon the place and everything about it indicates that he keeps in touch with the modern spirit of progress.

Mr. Head was united in marriage in 1881¹ to Miss Sarah Mahala Mayberry, a daughter of Alexander and Jane (Walker) Mayberry, natives of Pennsylvania. She was born in Jackson county, Iowa, in 1856, and passed away in 1900, her loss being mourned by a large number of warm friends. By her marriage with Mr. Head she had become the mother of two children, namely: Nettie Jane, the wife of W. I. Darrow, of Adair county, Iowa, by whom she has one son, Edward; and Mamie Ann, who resides at home with her father.

In politics Mr. Head is a republican, giving stalwart support to the principles of that party, while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Monticello. He has gained an extensive circle of friends during the period of his residence in Cass township, his genuine personal worth commending him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 518.
¹NOTE: Marriage date is 23 Feb 1881. Thanks to Barb Mayberry

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Thomas W. Heaney
Born March 2, 1840

Thomas W. Heaney, who for more than twenty years has been a member of the agricultural community of Richland township, was born in Onondaga county, New York, March 2, 1840. His parents were John and Mary (Hussey) Heaney, both natives of the town of Ballymore, Ireland, where they were married. In 1832, as their wedding trip, they embarked on their journey to the United States and after thirteen weeks and three days upon the water landed in New York. They went to Utica, that state, where they remained a short time going next to Onondaga county, where John Heaney obtained employment as foreman in a stone, quarry. In 1855, they came to Iowa, locating first in East Dubuque, where the father and a brother worked for a stone contractor, and then in 1857 coming to Jones county, for Mr. Heaney had bought eighty acres of land in Richland township upon coming to the state. On this he established his family and spent the few years of life that remained for him. He passed away March 21, 1865, but his wife lived until May 8, 1891, when she too died, having attained an advanced age.

Thomas W. Heaney was reared at home and acquired his practical training for the responsibilities of life in the common schools. He remained with Ills father on the farm until his twenty-second year, when he married and started to make his own way in the world. For one year he worked for his father-in-law and then renting a piece of land engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself. After one year's experience as a tenant lie bought a tract in Whitewater, Dubuque county, on which he lived but one year, when his father's death compelled his return to his old home. In 1866 he took up a different line of work, going west as one of the men who were employed upon the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. For three years he worked for that concern and the Central Pacific Railroad, and then went to Maryville, Missouri. where he remained but three months, when be came to Jones county and took up his residence in Monticello, living there from the fall of 1869 to July, 1871. At that latter date he removed to Cascade, where for ten years he was engaged in the grocery and liquor business. Then, again he took up agricultural pursuits, moving in 1882 to a farm in Richland township, which he and his brother John operated in conjunction for about five years. In 1887 Mr. Heaney purchased the Robert Reed place, his present home, to which he has since devoted his energies. It is a tract embracing one hundred and sixty acres, well unproved and cultivated, on which he pursues general farming.

On the 9th of February 1862, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Heaney to Miss Hannah O'Brien. She is a Slaughter of Dennis O'Brien, who came to this country from Ireland in 1847 and after residing in New Jersey for a time came in 1856 or 1857 to Jones county. He located in Richland township, where he followed farming throughout his active years. No children have been born to the couple, but they have reared three. Clarence was legally adopted. Nettie Hughes is now the wife of David Lahey, of Imogene, Fremont county, Iowa, Lizzie, the third child who shared their home and who was known by the name of her foster parents, married Archibald Farrell, of Ryan, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Heaney are consistent members of the Catholic church, while politically he has allied himself with the democratic party.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 318.

Alexander M. Heasty
Born 1838

ALEXANDER M. HEASTY, farmer, Wayne Twp., Sec, 24; P.O. Scotch Grove; born in Ohio in 1838; came to Jones Co. in 1865; wife's maiden name was Margaret Nelson, a native of Ohio. They were married in 1866; have had seven children, five are living—Carrie, Mary E., Jasper, William E. and Francis. Mr. Heasty owns 119 acres in Wayne, and twenty acres in Scotch Grove, of timber; he gave one acre for the cemetery in Wayne Township, near this place. He was a soldier in the war of the rebellion, a member of the 2d I.V.C., Co. M, Capt. McConnel. He enlisted in the fall of 1861; was discharged in the fall of 1861; was in the battles of Corinth, Miss., and also Iuka; was in the company that took Col. Price (nephew of Gen. Sterling Price) prisoner in Mississippi, south of Coldwater. In one engagement, Mr. Heasty had bullet-holes put through his rubber coat. The man that captured Col. Price was John Beard. Mr. Heasty and wife are members of the U.P. Church. He is a Republican.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 626.

John C. Heasty
Born 1836

JOHN C. HEASTY, farmer, Wayne Twp., Sec. 24; P.O. Scotch Grove; born in Ohio in 1836; came to Jones Co. in 1853, and located land, and, in 1868, came to live. permanently. Wife's maiden name was McCandless, a native of Ohio also. They were married February 3, 1858; have seven children—Charles L., Robert M,, John Grant, Olive Mary, James W., Ida Josephine and Arthur Francis. Mr. Heasty owns 120 acres; he was a soldier during the late civil war; a member of the 2d I.V.I., Co. C; enlisted September 27, 1864; was discharged July 4, 1865; was taken prisoner near Clinton, Ga., by Gen. Wheeler; was kept a prisoner about five and a half months; was in Macon four months, and in Andersonville about one and a half months. Mr. Heasty is one of the Trustees of his town. He and his wife and three of his children are members of the U.P. Church. He is a Republican.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 626.

R. M. Heasty
Born 1848

R. M. HEASTY, farmer, See. 16; P.O. Langworthy; born in Ohio in 1848; came to Jones Co. in 1866, with his parents. Wife's maiden name was Elizabeth J. Kaims, a native of Canada. They were married in 1869; have four children—John, Francis, Mary Agnes, Isaac Russel and William Joseph. Mr. Heasty and his wife are members of the U.P. Church. Mr. Heasty has been Town Constable for two terms, and was Road Supervisor for three or four terms; he is a Republican; owns eighty acres.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 626.

Martin Heisey
Born February 24, 1817

MARTIN HEISEY, proprietor of stone quarries, Anamosa; is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born February 24, 1817; he grew up to manhood in Union Co., and learned the milling business; he emigrated from Perry Co., Penn., and came to Iowa; arrived in Burlington May 3, 1846, wheu Iowa was yet a Territory; he was engaged in the milling business for many years. In 1861, he was elected Sheriff of Des Moines Co., and was re-elected in 1863, and held the office until January 1, 1866; he was elected Warden of the State Penitentiary at Port Madison by the General Bssembly, and held that office from April 1, 1866, until April 1, 1872; he was elected one of the Commissioners to locate the Additional Penitentiary at Anamosa, and removed here in May, 1872; he afterward received the appointment of warden, and served until April, 1876, since then he has been operating stone quarries. Mr. Heisey has been married three times; his first wife was Elizabeth Jacobs, of Pennsylvania; married in 1837; she died in December, 1854, leaving three children, only two of whom survive-John W. and Mary E. His second wife was Susan Messick, of Ohio; she died January 1, 1866, leaving one son, Martin E. He married his present wife, Anna Hull, a native of England, in 1867; they have two children—Grace Darling and Vallie M.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 559.