Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Heathman, John M. January 20, 1853 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net August 3, 2006, 3:53 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons

Page 402, 403

JOHN M. HEATHMAN
	It is with pleasure that we are enabled to give here a review of the 
career of the esteemed gentleman whose name appears above, being a man of 
excellent worth and commendable integrity, which has been fully displayed in 
the various capacities in which he has wrought since his migration to this 
county, and in ever manifesting those qualities which make the genuine 
American and the substantial and capable citizen. 
	His birth occurred on a farm near the town of Paris, in the state of 
Kentucky, on January 20, 1853.  Before his swaddling clothes were doffed his 
parents took him to the state of Missouri, settling on a farm near the town of 
Paris, and here were passed the days of his youth and the scenes of his 
childhood are laid in this spot.  He was favored with a good education in the 
country schools and was occupied in the art of agriculture.  It was in the 
year 1882 that they became enamoured with the favored country of eastern 
Oregon, through the reports conveyed from this region, and they purposed to 
remove from the old home place and seek a home in Umatilla county.  This they 
did in that year, making the entire trip with teams and wagon from Paris, 
Missouri, to Pendleton, Oregon, coming over the old route that was so popular 
in the earlier part of the century.  He first engaged here as clerk in the 
establishment of Harper & Ralston, general merchants, where he stayed for a 
number of months.  After this service he accepted a position with Houser & 
Hendricks in the same business, proving himself an efficient salesman behind 
their counters for six years.  At this time, 1892, he deemed it advisable to 
embark in business for himself, and accordingly did so, continuing therein for 
five years with very gratifying success, when the people of the city asked him 
to serve in the capacity of chief of police.  He accepted the office and has 
rendered such effective and conscientious service in that capacity that he was 
constantly been kept in this position.  His faithfulness in the discharge of 
the duties incumbent upon him in this responsible position and his rare 
ability manifested in the same have won for him the confidence and esteem of 
the entire population of the city, while his worth as an individual rank him 
with the leading and prominent citizens of the county.
	Mr. Heathman was married to Miss Melvina, daughter of Samuel and Mary 
(Totton) Henninger, in the state of Missouri, on February 16, 1872.  They are 
the parents of six children:  Jennie, cashier at the Peoples’ Warehouse, in 
Pendleton; Elizabeth, wife of Frederick Langever, of this city; Ruth, wife of 
J. W. McLyman, of Pendleton; Bertha; Harry; Floyd.  Our subject affiliates 
with the Redmen, The Pioneers of the Pacific, the Woodmen of the World and the 
Eagles, all in Pendleton.  He owns a fine residence at 307 Willow street.


Additional Comments:
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.


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