Fred Heinz Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. To view the picture of Fred Heinz that accompanies this biography, please go to the main Scott county, Iowa page at: http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ and click on Pictures/ Documents section. Surnames: Heinz, Trenkenshuh, Claussen, Heinz, Hirschel, Fisher, Steffan. The name of Fred Heinz appears on the roll of Davenport's honored dead. He figured for many years as one of the eminent members of the Iowa bar and, moreover, wielded a wide influence in public thought and action. He was closely associated with many interests bearing upon municipal progress and as mayor of the city gave to Davenport an administration that was characterized by various practical reforms and improvements which constituted tangible evidence of his interest in and loyalty to the city. He was born in St. Louis, May 8, 1852, a son of Bonaventura and Margueretta (Trenkenshuh) Heinz, the former a native of Baden, Germany, and the latter of Bavaria. The father came to the United States in 1845 and took up his abode in St. Louis. Soon afterward he enlisted for service in the Mexican war and following the close of hostilities returned to St. Louis, where he remained until 1855, when he made his way up the river to Davenport on the Golden Era. From that time until he re! tired at an advanced age, he was wharf master and also was connected with river transportation. He was like wise active in public affairs and was influential among all classes. He came to be known as a man whose word could be implicitly relied upon and his keen insight made his judgment such as awakened public confidence. His death occurred in 1899, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. In St. Louis he married Margueretta Trenkenshuh and their children were: Fred, of this review; Carried, who died in 1901 as the result of an operation; Henry, who is now the publisher of the Muscatine (Iowa) Tribune; and John, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Fred Heinz was a small boy when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Davenport. He afterward assisted his father in discharging the duties of wharf master but developed an inclination for the study of law, and with a desire to enter the professional filed, he began reading in the office and under the direction of Ernst Claussen, at one time mayor of Davenport and a prominent lawyer here. His ability was soon recognized and following his admission to the bar he was admitted to partnership by his preceptor, the firm of Claussen & Heinz being thus formed. This relation was maintained from 1875 until 1881, after which Mr. Heinz practiced alone until 1886. In that year he became associated with A. J. Hirschel, now one of leading members of the Chicago bar. They practiced under the firm style of Heinz and Hirschel until 1890 and in July, 1891 Mr. Heinz became associated with L. M. Fisher in the firm of Heinz & Fisher, which partnership continued until the death of Mr. H! einz in 1904. They were the most prominent representatives of the profession in Davenport in the department of settling and handling estates. In other fields of practice their clientage was also extensive and Mr. Heinz with comprehensive knowledge of the law became one of the most distinguished, honored and successful members of the Davenport bar. He attained to a position of prominence because of the wise use which he made of the talents with which nature had endowed him and his careful utilization of the opportunities that offered. He was always a close and discriminating student of legal principles and in the presentation of a cause before the courts was a strong, logical advocate, never at fault in the application of a legal principle. He also became recognized as a leading factor in financial Bank, of which he was elected the first president. For a number of years he was also vice president for Iowa of the National Bankers convention and each year was selected chairman ! of the Iowa committee. It was not alone his business and professional interests, however, that entitled Fred Heinz to classification with the leading citizens of Davenport. His public service was of a most important character, characterized by the utmost devotion to the general good and by tangible efforts in behalf of the city at large. In his earlier hears he was accounted one of the leaders of the democratic party in Iowa and for twenty years was chairman of the county and city democratic committees. At length, on account of the attitude of his party toward the money question, he became allied with the gold wing of the democracy and ultimately affiliated with the republican party. On the democratic ticket he was elected to the offices of county and city attorney for several terms and in that position carefully conserved the legal interests of the people at large. In 1884 he was elected to the offices of county and city attorney for several terms and in that position carefully conserved the leg! al interests of the people at large. In 1884 he was elected district judge but in the contest was counted out. In 1900 he was elected mayor of the city upon the republican ticket and entered upon the duties of the office for a two years' term. His administration was marked by the inauguration of many public movements for the interests and welfare of the city. He introduced and championed the movement which resulted in the city council passing an act dispensing with the poll tax. He also inaugurated the present sinking fund. It was likewise during his term that the Carnegie library fund was secured and an important move was made in the elevation of the Rock Island tracks in the city and the erection of a new depot. While serving a chief executive he was instrumental in securing a city ambulance and many other evidences could be given of the fact that he was a practical idealist, working ever along progressive lines but as wisely utilizing the practical means at hand for the a! ccomplishment of his purpose. On the 21st of September, 1878, Mr. Heinz was married to Miss Hermina Steffen, a daughter of Claus and Margueretta Steffen. Her father came from the north of Germany in pioneer times and engaged in the cooperage business in Davenport. At his death Mr. Heinz left a family of four daughters: Alice M., Flora F., Zella F. and Norma. He was always a home man, finding his greatest happiness at his own fireside, yet he had appreciation for social interests as represented in different organizations. He belonged to the Davenport Turner Society, the Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association and to the Knights of Pythias. He was likewise a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor. Progress and patriotism might well be termed the keynote of his character, for in all things, whether of a public or business nature, he mad substantial advancement and in his relations to the city was actuated by a most earnest desire for the public good. Honored and respected by all, no man occupied a more enviabl! e position in the regard of his fellow townsmen than did Fred Heinz, who passed away July 10, 1904. In those circles where the leading men of Davenport are wont to gather he has since been sorely missed. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES