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Note: THE HEINZ FAMILY OF KICKAPOO TOWNSHIP Material Furnished by Max J. Heinz, 1928
Ancestors of this large family were Henry Heinz and Katherine, his wife, of Nausdorf, Hesse Cassel, Germany. They never came to America, but five of their children came, as follows:
1. George Heinz, Sr., born March 28, 1813, died Aug. 22, 1890; married Katherine Henline, who was born July 20, 1813, died 1895 This couple landed in the United States in 1839, after an ocean trip of something more than ninety days by sail ship. Going from New York probably by canal and lake boats to Chicago, they came down the Illinois River, by tow boat which was drawn with long rope of some kind, by mule or oxen.
Landing at Peoria, Mr. Heinz worked for "Captain Moss" at present site of Rome. His first year he received $5.00 in cash: and the second year, a cow and support of his family. Later he farmed right at Peoria, then purchased a small farm on Sec. 16, Kickapoo Township (now or formerly Wm. Cramer's) and at time of his death owned 360 acres of fertile land.
All furniture was hand made, all cloth was hand spun. The first house was a log cabin, and in later years, a brick house. Mr. Heinz' first plow was a wooden mouldboard cutting 20 inches wide, drawn by oxen. His first wagons were hewed out of logs, and not a nail or iron of any kind used in their making. The wheels were sawed out of a log about three feet across; were eight or ten inches wide, with hole for axle in the wheel, drilled with a stone. For axle grease, soft soap. With these wagons trips were made to Chicago and back, with grain or dressed hogs to get money, as Peoria was only a trading post at that time. The trip to Chicago and back required six weeks time. Wagons went in trains, and by the end of the journey, or before, many wagons would be worn out, and some of the oxen perished on the way. There were no roads, only trails, and no bridges for crossing the streams.
For lamps, a tin pan with grease or tallow, and a rag or some kind of cord sticking out at one end as a wick, served the purpose. There were no stoves for cooking, baking or heating, only the open fireplace.
To this union were born five boys:
Henry, born Sept. 26, 1840, died Aug. 22, 1881.
Frank, born Oct. 19, 1842, died Oct. 22, 1922.
George, born March 10, 1845.
Andrew, born Sept. 25. 1847.
John, born Dec. 30, 1849.
2. Andrew Heinz, Sr., born Feb. 16, 1823, died ���� �, ��; landed at New York in 1848, and came to Peoria by way of the lakes to Chicago and Illinois River. He worked for his brother George, also in brickyard, cut wood and hauled it to Peoria for 75c a load, and also worked for C. B. & Q. railroad. Married Christina Reed in Kickapoo Township, who was also a native of Germany, a daughter of Morris Reed. There were seven children of this marriage: Fred, Henry, Andrew, George, Katie, Anna, and Theresa.
3. Frederick Heinz, Sr., born May 19, 1827, died ���� �, ��; landed in America 1848, and came direct to Kickapoo Township, where he joined his brother George. He married Eva Seibert from Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, who had come to America alone to live with her sister in Kickapoo Township. She died July 6, 1894. Mr. Heinz first purchased 80 acres of land, mostly timber, on Sec. 16, for $500. He cleared off the timber and built a log cabin, which was later replaced with a brick house. Mr. Heinz at different times served as Supervisor, Road Commissioner and School Treasurer of his Township. One child was born of this union, Anna M., who married John Brutcher.
4. Wendel Heinz, landed in America 1848, worked for his brother George. He had team of horses, harness and wagon; then went to St. Louis to get some more things, but never returned and no word ever heard from him.
5. Anna Margaret Heinz, born May 1. 1810, died March 11, 1895; married William Berckler, first husband, of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, who was born in 1797; married Nicholas Hoffman, second husband, of Scharchbach, Germany, who was born Jan. 1, 1800 and died Nov. 30, 1868. Landed in America July 3, 1853, and to this union were born five children: John Hoffman, Maroa, Illinois; Nicholas Hoffman, Pottstown, Illinois; Peter Hoffman, Iowa; Fred Hoffman, Maroa, Illinois; Eva Hoffman Laszell, Maroa, Illinois.
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