My Genealogy Hound

Joseph H. Heath, editor and proprietor of the Lamar Leader. Among all classes and in every condition of life are those who excel in whatever they undertake, whether of a professional agricultural or commercial nature, and no matter how disagreeable the outlook on starting, they are sure to eventually reach the front and receive a share of the honor and credit due them Among those whose early life was one of hardship and privation stands the name of Mr. Heath, who was left motherless at an early age, and whose educational advantages were very meager He was born in Columbus, Ohio, September 21, 1848, and is the son of Hiram and Margaret (Taylor) Heath, natives of Ohio, where they grew up and were married. The mother died in 1857 in the prime of life, and left two children, Joseph H. and Lewis R. The father was a blacksmith, and followed this trade in Ohio for many years. Later he moved to Iowa, but is now living in Missouri. He served in the Union army, during the late war. In 1861 Joseph H. Heath came to Iowa with an aunt, but in 1863, he went on to Denver, Colo., where he served an apprenticeship in the office of the Rocky Mountain News, and where he received the principal part of his education. Previous to leaving there he had charge of the press-room. October 25, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Baldwin a native of Canada, and the daughter of Charles Baldwin, the great stockman of Colorado. After leaving Denver he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he worked on the Ohio Statesman a time and then started a job office. Three years later he went to Burlington, worked on the Burlington Hawkeye for over a year, and then moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where he worked on the Gate City until 1877. He then bought the Clark County Gazette, which he ran until 1883, when he bought the Golden City Herald. This he continued running until 1888, when he came to Lamar and purchased the Lamar Leader, of which he is now editor and proprietor. To his marriage have been born five children, three sons and two daughters. He has always been a stanch Democrat in his political views.