West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-03-30
Hon. Francis HecrmanS Celebrates
at His Home in Morgantown last
Friday the Eightieth Anniversary
of His Birth-Was Resident OF
Kinswood for Many Years

| hceImans. Although now a resident
OF Morgantown, MIR. Hoermans' name
viii always be associated with the
founding and development of King
wood, whore he spent so many years
OF useful and successful life. lie
Will be remembered aud loved by
young and old alike. From the Nor
gantown Post-Chronicle we publish
the following sketch of the career OF
Mr.. Heermans and an account OF the
celebration OF his eightieth birthday.
which glad event occurred last Fri
day, March "a.
Francis Heormans, Esq, at 5O4
Grand street. South Park, ia today
celebrating his sOth birthday anniver-
sary. There is quite difference be-
tween the eighth and the eightieth
birthday party, and while MIR. Heor-
mans. who is widely known both in
Preston and Monongalia counties. Is
not celebrating this anniversary as he
probably did his eighth, no has about
him several grandchildren to help
make the event lively one.
Mr.. Heermans was born March "a.
1886. at Hyde Park, Luzzorno county.
Pa, and is the son OF John and Mary
Pepper Heermans. There is an Incl
dent In his life which his children like
TO relate-some OF them always with
Just IA little fun-making doubt in these
modern times OF automobiles and
many extravaganza which perhaps
better than anything else indicates the
success OF this Morgantown man dur
ing HIS long and interesting career.
AT the age OF 13 years ho removed
to Fellowsyille, Preston county, with
his fathers family, and at the age OF
10, in October, 1851, he secured n posi-
ton in the store OF tho lato Hon.
James G. McGrew, at Kingwood. Mr..
Heermans' father gave him dollar TO
pay his stage fare TO the county seat
on the morning he was to start out In
the world alone, and the boy Heer-
mans pocketed the dollar and walked
the long distance to take up his new
work I'm his new home. This first evil
dence OF rational economy has been
the watchword of this self-made man
careful, but never ponurious, his
friends say. From the youthful age
OF l3 until few years ago when he
moved to Morgantown, Mr. Heermans
resided in Preston county where he is
known to be honored by all, and where
during his active life he was many
times honored with public positions
and identified in private life with all
that was good and elevating.
IF a thing is worth doing at all, It
Is worth doing well" has been the life
motto OF this man whose career, while
a modest one, is an example nt to be
emulated by all men. His temporal
success was built upon the foundation
OF his rule to every year save part OF
his earnings. His moral and spiritual
triumph that has made him respected
by his fellow men, was founded upon
the rules OF strict sobriety. honesty to
his fellows In all dealings. and gen
erous giving 70 tho cause OF church,
charity and temperance. He remained
for three years as store boy I'm the
employ OF James G. McGrew. saving
his earnings. He returned 10 Fellows
Vile in 1854 10 take charge OF tile
general country store owned by his
uncle. Joseph Fellows. In 1868. be-
cause OF his frugality. he was able 10
buy this store, paying down his earn
ings as first payment. afterward wlp-
ing out what seemed TO him TO have
been huge responsibility OF debt, be
fore the last note matured.
IN 1862. Mr. Heermans sold his store
and became a candidate for sheriff Of
the county tie was elected by
large majority and managed his Office
with success and general approval IL
was on The birthday Of the state Of
West Virginia that Mr.. Hcermans re-
moved 10 KinRwood June goth. 1863.
and 900 1866 was elected 20 the House
Of Delegates OF the State Legislature.
and served twice after that. making
three terms In that body. lie served
as chairman OF the committee ON taxa
ton and finance and during tho SUM
mer Of 1869 sat with tho committee az
Wheeling that prepared the law code
Of 1869
Mr. Heermans had married August
2oth, 1857, Miss Mary Jackson, daugh-
ter OF Samuel Jackson, and afterward
foster daughter Of the late william C..
Brown, sr one child, Mrs. william
Ware Wright wife Of a Cleveland. o..
merchant, survived this union. the be-
loved wife and mother dying at the
age Of 30 years. January 1st. 1867. A
/ tinge OF romance in the career OF Mr..
Heermans was bis later woolng and
winning the daughter Of his FIRST en-
ployor as his second wife. the present
Mrs. Heermans. who gracos his home
az South Park. He married Sarah
Martha McGsaw. only daughter in the
family and sister 10 Major w. Q. Nc
Grew Of this city, September Ord. 1858
Mrs. James Russell Trotter OF Nor
gautown, and Edward M. Heermans. a
newspaper writer, now IN the west,
ere children Of this happy marriage.
n 1870 Mr. Heermans was chosen