Peter Hegner
One of the best known men in Grant County, Indiana, is Peter Hegner. He has lived in this section for many years, and is now Trustee of Franklin Township. He has been engaged in various kinds of business here in the county and has also been a farmer for many years. Inheriting from his German ancestry the qualities of industry and thrift, he has succeeded in life where another man might have failed, for he began life with little save prospects. In his public duties he has carried on the work in accordance with the same high ideals that he has maintained in his private and business life and the respect and esteem which is accorded him is evidence of the satisfaction which he has given to those who elected him to office.
Peter Hegner was born in Peru, Indiana, on the 3rd of August, 186? (mark on page, could be 1865, 1868 or 1863?), the son of Paula and Catharine (Walters) Hegner. Both of his parents were born, reared and educated in their native land, Germany. When Paul Hegner came to the United States he first located in Michigan and later came to Peru, Indiana. Here he met his future wife, who had come here on landing after her trip from Germany. She was at the time working for a German family near Peru. After they were married the young couple went to live in Peru, residing there for four years, and they then moved to a farm near Bunker Hill, Indiana. Here Mr. Hegner bought forty acres of land, all timbered, and set to work to clear the land and get it under cultivation. This farm was in Deer Creek Township, and here they lived until Mrs. Hegner's death. Mr. Hegner married again in 1882 and after this he moved to Howard County, Indiana, where he lived until his death. Of his children by his first wife seven lived to maturity, and of these Peter Hegner was the next to the eldest.
Peter Hegner received his education in the district schools of Miami County, Indiana, attending school in the winter and working on the farm in summer. He had thus acquired a very fair education by the time he was ready to leave school and go to work. He did not leave his father's farm until he was nineteen years of age, and then went to work on a farm in Howard County. He worked there until he was twenty-three and then leaving the farm he went into the meat and grocery business at Kokomo, Indiana. He made considerable money in this business and was thus engaged until 1894.
It was in the latter year that he came to Marion, and locating in West Marion, he again engaged in the meat and grocery business. For six years he was one of the successful merchants of this place and then he was elected Trustee of Franklin Township, and sold out his business. After his term as Trustee expired in 1904, he went into the coal business in West Marion and was also engaged in farming in that vicinity. He continued in this way until 1908 when he was again elected Trustee of Franklin Township. He is now serving in this office and his term does not expire until 1915.
In his political beliefs Mr. Hegner affiliates with the Republican party and he ahs been active in party politics in local affairs. He was at one time candidate for the nomination of County Commissioner of Grant County. In the world of secret societies Mr. Hegner is a member of the Ben Hur and Neptune orders, having insurance in the first named. In religious matters both he and his family are members of the West Ninth Street Methodist Episcopal Church as well as being active in the work of the Sunday School.
Mr. Hegner was married in October, 1891, to Miss Jennie Foreman. She was born in Boone, Iowa on the 24th of January, 1871, and at the age of five years she was bereft of mother. she received her education in Ohio and in 1886 came to Kokomo, Indiana where she met and married Mr. Hegner. Three children have been born of this union, namely, Paul and Pauline, twins, who were born on August 5, 1892, and Elizabeth, who was born on November 25, 1897. Paul is a graduate of the common schools and of the Marion High School, and he has taught three terms of school. Pauline is a graduate of the grammar school and she is now at home, while Elizabeth, having completed the work of the grammar school is now a student in the high school at Marion.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.