Linn County, IA<dd>Biographies

Linn County, IA Biographies

BENJAMIN F. HEINS
Among the worthy German citizens of Cedar Rapids Benjamin F. Heins was numbered and is yet kindly remembered by many friends who knew him while he was yet an active factor in the world's work. A native of Germany, he was born September 12, 1849, and was the son of B. K. Heins. He was only about six weeks old when his parents bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for America. After reaching the shores of the new world they made their way westward to Linn county, Iowa, so that Benjamin F. Heins spent his entire life in this county. After completing his English education, whereby he gained a good knowledge of all the common branches of learning, he took up the study of law and in due time was admitted to the bar. Thereafter his attention was given to practice as an attorney and counselor and for a time he was associated with a Mr. Craft, while he joined his brother Lewis, who was also an attorney, and the firm of Heins Brothers attained a prominent place at the Cedar Rapids bar. Benjamin F. Heins was widely known for the precision and care with which he prepared his cases, and his cause was always presented in a clear, forcible and logical manner that never failed to impress the court or Jury and seldom failed to win the verdict which he desired.

In 1888 Mr. Heins was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary (Emerson) Chase, who was born in Ohio, July 26, 1848, and was the daughter of D. W. and Hulda (Flint) Emerson. Her parents were natives of New Hampshire and Vermont respectively and on leaving New England became residents of Wayne Co, Iowa (Ohio), but subsequently chose Cedar Rapids as the place of their residence and remained here until called to their final rest, the father passing away in 1888, while the mother died in 1892(1892). In their family were 13 children, including their daughter Mary, who in 1869 gave her hand in marriage to Lewis Chase. She lived in Ohio for a time and in 1897 removed to Cedar Rapids. Here Mr. Chase remained until his death, which occurred in 1884. There was one daughter by that marriage, Grace Emerson Chase, Now the Wife of S. R. Palmer, of Cedar Rapids. Following the death of her first husband Mrs. Chase became the wife of B. F. Heins in 1888 and they traveled life's journey happily together for sixteen years. When, in May, 1904, Mr. Heins was called to his final rest. Mrs. Heins still makes her home in this city and is the owner of two fine residences on North Seventh Street, from which she derives a substantial income. She has many Friends in this city and enjoys in large measure the esteem of those with whom social relations have brought her in contact.

Death of B. F. Heins

Death came peacefully to B. F. Heins, the well known attorney, Sunday morning, while he slept. He had arisen in his usual health at an early hour, and then laid down and entered the sleep of death, the end came at about 7 o'clock. Mr. Heins had been in ill health for about three years. The funeral will be from the residence 126 North Seventh Street, tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Walk and Dr. Burkhalrter will conduct the services. Interment will be at Kenwood.

B. F. Heins was born in Germany, September 12, 1848, when six weeks of age he came with his parents to the United States, The family located in Linn county, and Cedar Rapids and vicinity has been the home of Mr. Heins since infancy. Mr. Heins was married to Mrs. M. E. Chase of this city in 1889. Bereaved by this death are the wife, two brothers, Lewis and John; two sisters, Mrs. Ferguson of Clay county, and Mrs. William Johnson of this city.