Biographical Sketch of David J. Heaton, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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David J. Heaton, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 16,
1808, and with his parents moved to Butler County, Ohio.  When ten
years of age he lost his mother by death, and was then apprenticed
to learn the cabinet trade in Maysville, Kentucky, and served seven
years.  After working for five years in different places, he located
in Ripley, Ohio, and remained three years.  He married Emily Donovan,
of Augusta, Kentucky, July 31, 1832.  They had seven children, three
of whom are living: Mary Ann, Augusta C. and Elizabeth H.  In the
fall of 1834, Mr. Heaton went to Mississippi, and remained there un-
til the spring of 1845, at which time he came to this city, and 
started a cabinet shop.  St. Joseph at that time contained about
three hundred inhabitants.  He commenced here very poor, but immed-
iately started a good business, but by the signing of a sheriff's
bond had $3,000 to pay.  In 1857, he lost a warehouse by fire, losing
$6,000.  He kept at work enlarging his business and was very success-
ful.  He was the first undertaker in the city, and continued in the
business until 1881, when he sold out to his son, David E.  He was
the first City Marshal, and in 1858 and 1859 was elected City Council-
man from the Third Ward, and was chairman of that body.  In 1876, he
commenced keeping a boarding house, and in 1877 he built additions
to his house, and opened the Heaton House, on Sixth Street, now the
St. James.  Mr. Heaton has always been a Domocrat, but when the re-
bellion broke out he was a strong Union man and assisted in every way
to do his duty as a loyal citizen.  He has been a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church since 1839.  In 1849, his wife died, and in 
1851 he married Miss Lucinda King, of Boone County, Missouri.  They
had five children, four of whom are living:  Laura, David E., Bell
and Melsonia.

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