My Genealogy Hound

MELART HECK, proprietor of the Heck Hotel and the Ruma Creamery, is a native of Germany, having been born in Prussia in 1843. He is a son of Anton and Catherine Heck, both of whom died in their native land, Germany. In the family there were five sons and one daughter. Three sons emigrated to the United States, while two sons and a daughter still reside in the Old Country. The subject of this sketch crossed the ocean in his twenty-third year, after having received a fair education in the schools of Germany, and also served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith’s trade there.

Coming to Randolph County, Ill., in 1867, Mr. Heck worked upon his brother’s farm for three months, after which he secured employment in a blacksmith shop at Red Bud, remaining there about one year. Later he opened a shop in Evansville, and continued in that business until 1874, when he moved to Ruma and embarked in the same business at this place. A few years afterward he closed his blacksmith shop and engaged in the hotel business and in farming. He was an extensive and successful agriculturist, and raised from two thousand to twenty-five hundred bushels of wheat per annum.

In 1893, Mr. Heck rented his farm, and has since devoted his attention to the hotel business. In 1890, he started a new enterprise, the Ruma Creamery, which is now actively superintended by his two sons. His first Presidential vote was cast for General Grant, but he has since affiliated with the Democratic party; however, he votes for principle rather than party, and supports the candidate whom he deems best qualified for office. For six years he has filled the position of School Director, and has held other local offices of trust.

In the spring of 1868, Mr. Heck married Miss Mary Heagly, who was born near Centreville, Ill. They are the parents of six living children, namely: Carrie, Lulu, John, Max, Katie and Mary. The religious home of the family is in the Catholic Church.