Papa Heil and Franziska

Ste. Genevieve Herald, January 2, 1886

On Saturday, January 2, 1886, Mrs. John Heyl departed this life in the 83rd year of her age, at the residence of her husband, Mr. John Heyl, in this city. She was born in Durback, Germany on St. Valentine's day, February 14th, 1803.  In 1821 she was married to Martin Huber.  They came to this country in 1855, where Mr. Huber died three years later.  After his death she returned to her former home in Louisville, KY.  There she married Mr. John Heyl, who survives her, in 1866.  After this
marriage she returned to St. Genevieve county in 1868 and has remained here ever since.  The product of her union with Mr. Huber was six children, of whom one is Mr. Paul Huber, a farmer and resident of this county. 

Mr. and Mrs. Heyl have resided in St. Genevieve for a number of years, in a small brick house in which they held a life estate just one block north of the Fair Play office.  Mrs. Heyl and her aged husband were a frugal and industrious pair who by the industry of their hands and constant labor, managed to maintain themselves in the comfort and lay by a little pittance for their old age.  That hope and stay of their declining years was swept away in the failure of our banks leaving the old couple penniless.  It was this that made the failure so hard to endure and which aroused such indignation among our people.  Had only the little savings of these and others like them been sparred from the wreck, our people might have looked upon the situation philosphically, if not resignedly.  It was indeed a wicked and grievous wrong, but fortunately this meek and gentle sufferer is beyond
the reach of want or the vicissitudes of fortune.  Her sufferings and resignation have earned her rest and she at least attained it. 

Ste. Genevieve Herald,  Jan 16, 1886

"Papa Heyl" has followed the partner of his declining years. Only nine days after the "meek and gentle sufferer" had passed "beyond the reach of want and the vicissitudes of fortune," yea, beyond the hearing of those who would scoff at her and add insult to injury, the bereaved husband, too, passes away to join her, with whom he had lived a life of contentment, such as only frugal and industrious habits can afford. Our readers well know the last distressing calamity that befell this poor man. It was a "wicked and grievous wrong," but, fortunately, the poor aged couple had fortitude enough to face want rather than endure the humiliation of going to the county farm. Broken-hearted by the loss sustained last winter in the bank failure, and now by the loss of the partner of his joys and sorrows. Mr. Heyl lay down on his humble bed with the expressed wish to die, and death, often more merciful than man, heard his prayer and released him from his misery. On Monday evening he died at the age of about 82 years and 10 months. The earthly remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery on Wednesday May eternal peace be his portion. . ."

 

Heil House was our first Ste. Genevieve hideaway. It sold in 2022 when we bought the Hubardeau. It is presently an AirB&B.