David J. Heaton

As printed in 1881

DAVID J. HEATON, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December i6th, 1808, and with his parents moved to Butler County, Ohio. When ten years of age he lost his mother by death, and was then apprenticed to learn the cabinet trade in Maysville, Kentucky, and served seven years. After working for five years in different places, he located in Jipley, Ohio, and remained three years. He married Emily Donovan, of Augusta, Kentucky, July 31, 1832. They had seven children, three of whom are living: Mary Ann, Augusta C, and Elizabeth H. In the fall of 1834, Mr. H. went to Mississippi, and remained there until the spring of 1845, dt which time he came to this city, and started a cabinet shop. St. Joseph at that time contained about three hundred inhabitants. He commenced here very poor, but immediately started a good business, but by the signing of a sheriff's bond had $3,000 to pay. In 1857, he lost a. warehouse by fire, losing $6,000. He kept at work enlarging his business and was very successful. He was the first undertaker in the city,, and continued in the business until 1881, when he sold out to his son, David E. He was the first City Marshal, and in 1858 and 1859 was elected City Councilman from the Third Ward, and was chairman of that body. In 1876, he commenced keeping a boarding-house, and in 1877 he built additions to his house, and opened the Heaton House, on Sixth Street, now the St. James. Mr. Heaton has always been a Democrat, but when the rebellion broke out he was a strong Union man and assisted in every way to do his duty as a loyal citizen. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1839. In 1849, his wife died, and in 185 1 he married Miss Lucinda King, of Boone County, Missouri. They had five children, four of whom are living: Laura, David E., Bell and Melsonia.

As printed in The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.