Biographical Sketch of Hon. William Heren - Andrew County, Missouri >From "History of Missouri, Andrew & DeKalb County" Published 1888 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mo/mofiles.htm ************************************************ Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com) ********************************************************************** Hon. William Heren was born in Zanesville, Muskingum County, OH., on November 15, 1825. His father, Robert Heren a native of the "Old Dominion", when quite young immigrated to Ohio with his parents. He married Henrietta Denny, a native of Maryland, who had also come to Ohio when young. They lived near Zanesville until about 1825, when they removed to Highland County, where they resided till the fall of 1845. They then came to Andrew County, MO., traveling the entire distance in wagons. They spent the winter of 1843-44 on the prairie near what is now known as the David Laney farm, but having little faith in the future of the prairie, in the spring of 1844 Mr. Heren purchased a partly timbered claim, about three miles southwest of Rosendale. As the father was not physically strong, the care and support of the family fell largely upon William, who was the eldest child. He was thus deprived of all educational advantages except such as the early common schools afforded. He was a great lover of books, however, and after his day's work was finished he spent his time in poring over such books as he could borrow, or his scanty means would buy. He also took an active part in the country debating societies. In the winter of 1845-46, at the instance of his neighbors, he taught a three months' school, in which he met with marked success. The following spring he began another school in Platte Township, where he taught the greater part of the time for two years. During this period he resolved upon the law as his future profession, and chancing to mention his future aspirations to Judge P.L. Hudgens, that gentleman encouraged him by his advice and by throwing his library open to him. Having thus obtained the means of prosecuting his studies, he continued to teach school and read law until the spring of 1849. He then devoted all his time to study until the following fall, when he was licensed to practice by Judge Solomon Leonard. At this juncture, however, he found his health so impaired by confinement and over study that he was compelled to change his manner of living. He went to work on a farm, and the next spring broke up forty acres of prairie land. After teaching school the following winter, he was married, on April 27, 1851, to Miriam Small, who had been one of the pupils at his first school. The next five years he spent in farming and reading law. In the spring of 1857 he removed to Savannah, and opened an office. He was thoroughly equipped for the practice of his profession, and by untiring energy he soon built up a splended practice, extending into all the surrounding counties. Prior to the campaign of 1860 he took but little part in politics, but in that great contest he made several speeches for Douglas, and the integrity of the Union. After the election of Lincoln, however, he yeilded him a hearty support, and during the exciting times succeeding the attack upon Fort Sumter he made several eloquent and powerful addresses in opposition to disunion. He closed his office, and turned his attention to organizing the Union men of Andrew County. He went to the camp of Col. Cranor, then in Worth County, MO., when he joined the Union forces. A short time after, while at St. Joseph, he was elected colonel of the Forty-first Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, in which capacity he served until the fall of 1862. Col. Heren was then elected to the State Senate, where he served with distinction. After his return home he was commissioned colonel of the Fifth Regiment Provisional Militia. In that capacity he did much to preserve order, and quell disturbance in the counties of Northwest Missouri. In June, 1863, Gen. Hall in command of the Military District of Northern Missouri, was called to the State convention, and Col Heren by order of Gen. Schofield was placed in command. This position, during Gen. Hall's absence, he filled with great credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of his subordinates. Soon after the return of Gen. Hall he was nominated for judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, and at the succeeding election was chosen by a decided majority over Judge Woodson, who was on the bench at that time. He entered upon the arduous and responsible duties of the office in March, 1864, and discharged them with characteristic ability and fidelity. At the end of his term in January, 1869, Judge Heren left the bench, followed by the best wishes and kindest regards of the entire bar of his circuit. He then resumed his practice in partner- ship with Hon. David Rea. On February 20, 1869, he lost his wife, who died after a lingering illness, leaving a family of three sons, and three daughters, the youngest in her seventh year. On March 5, 1874, Judge Heren was united in marriage with Mrs. Louisa Smithern, a widow residing near Fillmore. They lived happily together until her death on August 31, 1887. All of the Judge's children are married except the two youngest daughters. Besides his own family he has reared and educated three children of his wife's sister, the eldest of whom, when they came into his care, was only six years of age. He has a comfort- able home, and while he has never given his attention to accumulating property he has a competency to support him in his declining years. His partnership with David Rea continued until the latter's election to Congress in 1874, since which time he has remained alone. Judge Heren has always been strictly temperate in his habits; has never used either whisky or tobacco in any shape. He is a fine example of the self-made man, and his life is worthy of emulation.