Henry Heesch was born in Germany March 18, 1824. He grew to manhood in his native land and was married to Miss Marie Fischer of Germany to which union were born two sons and two daughters. The sons preceded their father to that other world from which there is no return. The daughters survive and are Mrs. Gus Breitkreutz of Swift Current, Canada, and Mrs. Dora Mergele of Manning, Iowa. His married life was brief covering a period of but ten years. His wife was laid away in Germany. At the age of thirty years he removed to the United States, settling near Renville, Minnesota. Here he lived for several years, when he concluded to try his fortune in the farther west and took a government claim near Minot, North Dakota.

Here he lived until his infirmities of age rendered an active life impossible. He then came to Manning and spent the rest of his days with his daughter, Mrs. Mergele. That was about eleven years ago when he arrived in Manning. He was confirmed in the Lutheran Church, when a young man, and to that faith he adhered during his life. His life was much longer than the usual allotment. But few attain to such years. He is or was perhaps the oldest citizen in the community, the oldest in the county, and very few older in the state. He was an upright citizen, very genial, and social in his manner, and was highly respected and esteemed by those who knew him. Arriving in Manning when he was over four score years old, his age naturally compelled him to lead a quiet life, so that opportunities of a large acquaintance were not possible, yet he always proved a companionable neighbor and acquaintance. He was a man of reasonable good health to the last within forty-eight hours of his death he sat up in his chair reading the current news of the day. Thus he cometh to his grave in a full age, like as a stock of corn cometh in his season. His age at death December 21, 1918, was 94 years, 9 months, and 3 days. The immediate relatives who survive to mourn his death are his two daughters mentioned above, 15 grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren, together with a nephew in Minnesota.

A private funeral was held at the home of Mrs. Mergele, his daughter, December 24, 1918, at 1 p.m. after which the remains were laid away in the Manning Cemetery. Rev. A.T. Aller officiating.