Representative John S. Heffner View All Years

JOHN S. HEFFNER

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable John S. Heffner, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

John S. Heffner, widely known Hamilton County farmer, banker, educator and former State Representative from that county, passed away at his farm home near Blairsburg, Iowa, August 6, 1953, at the age of 70 years, 6 months and 26 days. He was born on January 11, 1883, on a farm near Duncombe in Webster County, Iowa, the eldest son of the late Dr. Samuel Heffner, who came to Iowa in 1855.

Mr. Heffner received his early education in the rural schools, attended Tobin College, at Fort Dodge, Iowa, and was graduated in the class of 1900. He taught rural schools for a time and later attended classes at the University of Iowa.

On April 9, 1909, he was united in marriage to Catherine Barr of Osawatomie, Kansas, and to this union one son was born. His wife and child, however, died the day the baby was born.

He spent 12 years engaged in the banking business with the State Bank of Williams, Duncombe Savings Bank and First National Bank of Fort Dodge. He taught school and served on the Hamilton County Board of Education, also on the Blairsburg Consolidated School Board eight years, the last four of which he served as its president. Mr. Heffner was a member of the Board of Trustees and affiliated with the First Congregational Church of Webster City.

On June 16, 1915, he married Iva Mae Bartlett of Webster City, Iowa, and the couple resided at Duncombe for five years. Five children were born to this union, one son, John Samuel, Jr., who preceded his father in death, and four daughters, Charlotte, Dorothy, Ramona, and Beth.

The Heffners moved to a farm home near Blairsburg in March, 1920, and he maintained his residence there until his death.

He served in five sessions of the Iowa General Assembly as Representative from Hamilton County, and as president of the Iowa Taxpayers Association. He was active in many Hamilton County organizations such as the U.S.O. and the Old Settler’s Association, which he served as president for several terms.

Survivors include his wife, four daughters, four grandchildren, one sister and three brothers.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Fifty-sixth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable John S. Heffner, the state has lost an honored citizen and a faithful, useful servant, and the House, by this resolution, would express its appreciation of his service and tender its sympathy to the members of his family.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

ROBERT W. NADEN,

CARL H. RINGGENBERG,

PAUL M. WALTER,

Committee.