The subject of this biography is a native of Dauphin County, Pa., and was born in 1822. He is the son of Jost and Mary E. (Schneider) Heckart, both natives of Dauphin County, Pa. The former served as a soldier during the War of 1812, and departed this life in 1858. The mother of our subject survived the partner of her youth for a period of twenty-three years, and folded her hands for her final rest in January, 1882, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, having made her residence with our subject during the latter part of her life. Jost Heckart was a farmer and millwright, and carried on these joint occupations successfully and profitably. Both parents were connected with the Presbyterian Church, and were highly esteemed members of society.
Michael Heckart, at the age of sixteen years, in 1838, moved with his parents to Ralls County, Mo., where the father purchased a farm. He was an enterprising and ambitious youth, and had been trained to habits of industry by his careful and conscientious parents, consequently he was well fitted, even at that early age, to begin the struggle of life for himself. He at once engaged at carpenter work, at which he served a thorough apprenticeship, and when not occupied at his trade accepted employment at farming pursuits. He remained in Missouri for a period of twelve years, and then went up North into Iowa, making his location in Green Township, Wapello County, which has been his home since that time.
April 6, 1848, while living in Ralls County, Mo., Mr. Heckart was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Moyer, a daughter of Adam Moyer, a native of Pennsylvania, where Mrs. H. was also born, April 7, 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Heckart became the parents of eleven children, the record of whom is as follows: John A. is a carpenter by trade and a resident of Adams Township; he married Sadie Spangler; Frances became the wife of Frank Price, and after his death she married J. Sproal Randolph, of Adams County, Iowa; Mattie E. is at home; Libbie married Marion Higdon, of Colorado; Mollie became the wife of Charles Richey, also of that State; William is engaged as a carpenter and farmer in Nebraska; he married Carrie Howk; Rebecca is the wife of Charles Reinhard, of this county; Joseph is also a resident of this county; Adala and Charles are at home. Mrs. Mary Heckart departed this life May 14, 1883, lamented by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and her remains are interred in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.
For his second wife Mr. Heckart, in September, 1884, married Miss Rosa, daughter of F. L. Backman, of Green Township, and of their union there has been born one child, a daughter--Ruth. Mr. Heckart is a member of the Presbyterian, his wife of the Protestant Methodist Church, to the support of which they contribute liberally and cheerfully. Mr. H. is a Democrat in politics. In addition to his general farming operations he is devoting considerable attention to the breeding of fine stock, which includes horses, cattle and hogs. He has two fine stallions. "Temberline" and "Blackhawk," which are models of symmetry and beauty, and all his animals are high grade, among them being some of the finest and most valuable exhibited by any stock-breeder in this section of the Hawkeye State.
"Both Mary Eve Schneider Heckart (Michael's mother) and Sarah Hutchison Moyer (Mary's mother) resided in the household of Michael Heckart. Sarah stayed there even after her daughter had passed away and Michael had re-married. It was a large household. Michael and Mary Moyer Heckart had 10 children (my great-grandfather Joseph Elder was one of them); Michael and Rosa Backman Heckart would have 6 more.
Michael's older brother Joseph was taken prisoner during the civil war and sent to Andersonville prison. His wife, Mary "Polly" Brashear Heckart, and her 7 children lived adjacent to Michael. When Joseph did not return from the war, Michael served as the patriarch for that family as well. His brother Henry was wounded, and later died from his injuries, during the battle of Lone Jack, near Lexington, MO. His wife died two weeks before he was wounded, leaving their 4 children without parents. Michael took in two of these children and his sister Lucy took in the other two."
