A biography of Herman Heinecke appears in "History of
Sheboygan County Wisconsin", Vol. II. Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Publishing
Co. 1912.
"On the list of
Sheboygan county's honored dead appears the name of Herman Heinecke, who was
not only a reliable and trustworthy business man but also a recognized leader
in republican circles, appreciation of his good qualities on the part of his
fellow townsmen and of his progressive citizenship leading to his election to the
state legislature. The worth of his service in public connections was widely
acknowledged and made him one of the valued residents of his city. He was born
November 14, 1859, in Sheboygan. His father, Gustave Heinecke, a native of
Germany, settled in this city on coming to the new world and here followed the
tanner's trade, being the pioneer in that branch of business in this city. He
died November 19, 1905, at the age of seventy-five years, his birth having
occurred on the 7th of July, 1830. His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Wilhelmina Weisse, was, like her husband, a native of Saxony, Germany, born
November 16, 1836. She was a daughter of Frederick and Theresa Weisse, who on
crossing the ocean established their home at Lake Superior. Later they became
residents of Milwaukee and thence came to Sheboygan. The Weisse family were in
charge of the first toll-gate on what is now called Calumet road.
Herman Heinecke, reared in Sheboygan, acquired his education
in the schools here and afterward clerked in a store managed by his father for
one year, and later learned the painter's trade in Sheboygan Falls, to which
place he walked from his home once each week. In 1881 he left Wisconsin for
Iowa, where he followed the carriage painter's trade for three years. Subsequently
he located at Hancock, Michigan, where he spent two years, and in 1884 he came
again to this city, where he was engaged in the butchering business to the time
of his death. He made a creditable record as an industrious, energetic and persevering
business man and his honorable dealing was a feature in his success.
On the 23rd of January, 1884, Mr. Heinecke was married to
Miss Augusta Kaufmann, who was born September 24, 1858, in Sheboygan, a
daughter of Frederick Kaufmann, who came to America in 1857...
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heinecke have been born six children:
Ernst, who is proprietor of a meat market and married Lydia Guehldorf, by whom
he has three children, Edna, Herman, and Gertrude; Otto, a partner in the meat
market, who married Emma Littman, and has one child, Hildegard; Gustave, who
died when three years of age; and Walter, Frederick, and Carl, all of whom are
in school. Mrs. Heinecke holds membership in the Frauen Verein of the German
Lutheran church, to which she belongs. Mr. Heinecke was a prominent figure in
political circles, giving stanch support to the republican party. He was
elected alderman from his ward and in 1903 was chosen to represent his district
in the state legislature. He was one of the most prominent citizens of
Sheboygan county, well fitted for leadership, and thus he took active part in
political affairs as well as in business life. To know him was to esteem and
honor him, for he was ever diligent, determined, reliable and progressive. He
died on September 11, 1906."
Furthermore, Herman
Heinecke's obituary appeared in the local Sheboygan newspaper on 12 Sep 1906:
"Assemblyman Herman Heinecke of the First District, former alderman of the
Fourth Ward and proprietor of the meat market at 805 Indiana avenue, died at 7
o'clock last evening at his home, 822 Kentucky avenue, after a prolonged
illness during which several operations were performed to no avail.
Mr. Heinecke had been apparently healthy until last June,
when he was taken ill, and grew constantly worse. He had been confined to his
bed for the past four weeks. Death was brought on by a weak heart.
Mr. Heinecke was born in Sheboygan in 1849 and had resided
here all his life. He was a respected citizen, and made friends everywhere, and
in hi (sic) ward, the Fourth, he was elected its representative in the council,
holding the office for two years.
Two years ago he was elected assemblyman of the First
District, on the republican ticket. His term of office at Madison would not
expire until January 1, 1907. He had refused to accept renomination and Ulrich
Moeckli will succeed him.
It is now twenty-one years since Mr. Heinecke opened the
meat market at 805 Indiana avenue. His business prospered there, and the
proprietor worked in the interest of the city and community at the same time. He
is survived by a wife and five children, Ernest, Otto, Walter, Fredrich and
Carl all of whom are at home and by a brother, the Rev. Edward Heinecke of Michigan, and Mrs. August Dorow,
a sister, at Marquette.
Mrs. G. Heinecke, mother of Assemblyman Heinecke, died five
years ago, and G. Heinecke, his father, last November.
The funeral will take place Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock,
with services at the Bethlehem Lutheran church and interment at Wildwood. The
Rev. William Wambsgans will officiate."