A. F. Heineman, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of A. F. Heineman
A. F. HEINEMAN. Prominently identified with the leading interests of Valparaiso, A. F. Heineman is a fine representative, not only of the native-born residents of this city, but of its active, enterprising and progressive business men, being one of the leading druggists of this part of Porter county.
His father, Valentine Heineman, was born in Germany four score or more years ago. Coming to America at a comparatively early age, he was a pioneer settler of Valparaiso, locating here in 1856. He learned the trade of a paper hanger, but for several years after coming to Indiana traveled extensively, repairing clocks thorughout the country. For many years he has been especially interested in bee culture, and as a bee raiser and dealer has been quite successful, being considered an authority on all subjects pertaining to that industry. He married Marguerite Urbahns, who came to Valparaiso from Germany with her parents when small, and here spent the greater part of her life, dying at the age of seventy-four years. They reared three children, two sons and a daughter, namely: A. F., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned; Theodore; and Emma. All were born in Valparaiso, the birth of A. F. occurring December 16, 1861.
Obtaining his early education in Valparaiso, A. F. Heineman attended the common and high schools, completing his early studies at the Valparaiso University. He gained his first knowledge of the drug business in the very store in which he is now located, from 1870 until 1882, having been employed as a clerk by Mr. W. P. Wilcox, then the proprietor of the establishment. Going to Chicago in 1882, Mr. Heineman was for five years employed in the wholesale drug house of Fuller & Fuller. Returning to Valparaiso in 1887, he resumed his old position with Mr. Wilcox. Buying out his employer in 1888, Mr. Heineman conducted the business alone for three years, when, in 1891, he admitted to partnership E. E. White. Selling out to Mr. White in 1894, Mr. Heineman traveled in the interests of the drug trade for six years, as a commercial salesman being well patronized by local druggists. Forming a partnership with John F. Sievers in 1900, Mr. Heineman bought out the store in which he gained his first knowledge and experience as a druggist, and as senior member of the firm of Heineman & Sievers is carrying on a substantial business.
Mr. Heineman is identified with other enterprises of importance. In 1880 he assumed charge of the old Academy of Music, and in it furnished the people with many entertainments, from comic opera and Haverley's Minstrels to lectures and musical entertainments of a high order, among the celebrities that appeared under his management having been Clara Louise Kellogg, De Witt Talmage and Robert G. Ingersoll. For several years he managed the old Grand Opera House, likewise bringing to the city many literary and musical attractions. He is now manager of the Memorial Opera House, and each season offers to the public many of the attractions of note in the dramatic and musical world.
For two years Mr. Heineman was secretary of the State Board of Pharmacy, and he is still a member of that organization, and belongs also to the American and State Pharmacy Associations. He was at one time city councillor, and takes great interest in municipal affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias; of Valparaiso Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 500; and the Foresters Lodge.
Mr. Heineman married, in March, 1885, Etta Brown, a daughter of Samuel Brown, of Willoughby, Ohio, and they are the parents of two children, Dorothy and Leila.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 804-805
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook