- CORNELIUS HEESACKER A representative, valued and honored citizen of Platte county was Cornelius
Heesacker, who for a considerable period followed farming and in his later years
lived retired in Humphrey. He was born in Brown county, Wisconsin, January
21, 1851, a son of Martin and Lomberdina (Theisen) Heesacker, who were natives
of Holland. In early life they came to the new world and settled in Wisconsin,
where their remaining days were passed, the father devoting his attention to general
agricultural pursuits. He died March 27, 1898, having long survived his wife,
who passed away in 1857.
The youthful days of Cornelius Heesacker were spent in Wisconsin and his
education was acquired in the public schools. He remained at home until he reached
the age of twenty-two years, when he was married and came to Nebraska, taking
up a homestead in Grand Prairie township, Platte county. Not a furrow had
been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy
he began its development and converted it into productive fields, which he carefully
cultivated until 1900, when he retired from active life and removed to Humphrey,
there residing until his death, which occurred in October, 1909.
On the 11th of February, 1876, Mr. Heesacker had wedded Miss Johanna
Minten, a daughter of Mathias and Minnie (Burgass) Minten, who were natives
of Holland. The father was a farmer and came to America in 1868, at which
time he made his way to Wisconsin. Eight years passed and in 1876 he came to
Nebraska, where he secured a homestead in Grand Prairie township, cultivating
tliat tract for many years. He afterward removed to Sheridan county, Nebraska,
wlicre he purchased land and engaged in farming throughout his remaining days,
his death occurring in March, 1891. His wife died in Holland in 1861 and it was
in that country that Mrs. Heesacker was born in November, 1854. By her marriage
she became the mother of four children: Minnie, born November 21, 1876,
and now at home with her mother; Lambert, who was born August 12, 1878, and
is cultivating the old homestead farm; Mary, who was born April 9, 1880, and is
a member of the Franciscan Sisters at Omaha ; and Elizabeth, who was born August
4, 1882, and died ten days later.
The family adhere to the Catholic faith, of which Mr. Heesacker was a loyal
representative. He belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters and took a helpful
interest in promoting the cause of his church and lodge. In politics he was a
democrat and served as county supervisor in Platte county for one term. He also
served as postmaster in Grand Prairie township, at St. Mary, and was appointed
to the position of postmaster of Humphrey after his removal to that city. He likewise
did duty as a member of the school board and was interested in all that pertained
to the political, intellectual, social and moral progress of the district with
which he was allied. He displayed many sterling traits of character, not the least
of which was his capacity for warm friendships. He was always true to those
to whom he gave his confidence and regard and he enjoyed to the full the companionship
of his friends. Mrs. Heesacker still makes her home in Humphrey,
where she owns a good business block, and she also has farm lands in this county.
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1854 - 1909 (55 years)
1885 State Census
