John Howard Heavin
John Howard
Heavin
Born
Aug. 11, 1854
Died
Aug.9, 1898
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Biography
The gravestone and early records of the Bay View Association report that John Howard Heavin was born on August 11, 1854 in Hendricks County, Indiana and died on August 9, 1898—only two days away from his 44th birthday. The Heavins of Hendricks County are an old family in that area. The “History of Hendricks County†published by the Hendricks County Historical Society has a section on the family. According to the family’s oral tradition, their ancestor John Heavin Sr. immigrated to America and initially settled in Maryland in the early 1700s. They were of Scotch Irish descent and their history claimed that they dated back to the Scotch Clan of MacBeth. The family then moved to Virginia in the mid-1700s, settling on what was to become known as the Wilderness Trail from Virginia and the Carolinas into Kentucky and Indiana. Most documents indicate that the Heavin family lived primarily in Montgomery County, Virginia. John and William Heavin Sr. built and operated what was known as the Lovely Mount Tavern for travelers. It was supposedly William and his descendents who first moved to Indiana in covered wagons and settled at least initially in Putman County. Some records seem to indicate that William Heavin relative John (1788-1853) remained in Radford, Montgomery County, Virginia with the Tavern. However, other family records list his last children including son Rufus as born in Indiana. At any rate in his will executed upon his death in 1853 he left 100 acres of land to each of his six sons. James, John, Joel, and Rufus Heavin received land in Hendricks County while Howard and Elijah Heavin received land in Putnam County. John Howard Heavin’s ancestors are among these early pioneers of Indiana where he was born in August of 1854. John is listed under his second name “Howard†in the 1880 census records of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (p. 615C). His family name is spelled “Havens†in this particular census. He is listed with a wife named Sarah (25 year old native of Indiana) and sons Oscar (5 years old) and Arthur (3 years old). His sister Minerva E. Heavin (23 years old) is also with him in this census. His occupation is that of “printer†and this would remain his primary vocation for the rest of his life. It was for this purpose that he also came to Corpus Christi. An article from the Corpus Christi Caller (19 Sept. 1886, page 4 column 6) notes that he was at that time referred to as “J. H. Heavin of San Antonioâ€. However, he had been engaged by the Caller in the job department where the Caller Publishing company employed John Howard to do printing for those who sought the assistance of the publishing company. An article from a local paper (June of 1895) reports that John’s son, A. Heavin (Arthur), was a compositor working with the paper in Houston. He had come down to Corpus Christi to visit his parents. After the death of John Howard it appears that his widow returned to Indiana to visit her old home (Caller of 30 June 1899, page 8 col. 1) only to return and find her son Arthur sick in San Antonio. By the next month Arthur was back at work and found time to leave his work with the Post in Houston long enough to visit his mother for a week (Caller of 7 July 1899, page 4 col. 3). Arthur married Miss Carrie M. Cummings in Houston at the residence of Mr. Cumming, 1610 Dallas Avenue in February of 1900. The article noted that Arthur had been living with Ben Culmore of Houston and that the couple left by the Southern Pacific for a honeymoon in Mexico before returning to his work with the Post in Houston (Caller of 23 February 1900, page 4 col. 5). It is unclear what became of Mrs. John Howard Heavin. In the 1880 census she is listed as “Sarahâ€, but there is no Sarah Heavin listed in the 1900 or later census records of this area or anywhere in Texas. It may be that she remarried or that she returned to Indiana permanently or that she died relatively soon after the turn of the century. There is the record in the death index of Texas of the death of an “Edna May Heavin†in Nueces County on October 31, 1918. This was during part of the influenza epidemic when there are few obits in the paper because so many were afflicted. Moreover, this was too later for her to be included in the listing of burials kept by the Bayview Cemetery Association so it is unclear whether she is also buried in Old Bayview or not. At any rate Arthur Heavin is found with his wife Carrie and daughter Carrabelle (born about 1906) in the 1920 census of Harris County (E.D. 54, page 8, line 70ff), living on Crawford Street. Arthur died April 16, 1962 in Houston. His obituary noted that he had followed the vocation of his father John Howard Heavin as he had been a member of the Houston Typographical Union for 60 years. The article (from the Houston Post) states that he was born in Noblesville, Indiana (apparently prior to his mother’s move to the south). His wife had preceded him in death, but he was survived by his daughter, Mrs. William Lawson of Port Arthur, and three grandchildren—William H. Lawson, Carolyn Lawson, and Douglass Lawson.
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell (April 2006)
2. News Item
The older Callers are quoted in later editions of the Corpus Christi Caller during the 20th century. Among the articles are the following:
The first refers to J. H. Heavin and notes his participation in the local baseball team. In an article from the Caller of 22 September 1888, the paper notes that the Corpus Christi team played the Rockport team in Rockport and lost. They traveled by train, had breakfast and went to Church on Sunday in Rockport and stayed in a new $50,000 hotel in Rockport. The game began promptly at 3:30pm Sunday afternoon, and it was noted that there were no fights. J. J. Boerum acted as umpire. Others on the Corpus Christi team included: W. Gravett, H. Sutherland, Wm Silverton, W. Gollihar, H. Ellis, F Neal, A. Ellis, and H. Luter.
The second article from the Corpus Christi Caller-Times (Sunday edition) of 26 March 1933 quotes from an issue of the Caller of 21 April 1893 (no such issue is found in the microfilm copies of the Caller). This article reports on Oscar Heavin (presumably a relative/possibly son) of John Howard Heavin since he has the same last name and also works for the newspaper as does Mr. Heavin. The story says that Oscar, Heavin, one of the carrier boys, failed to show up on Sunday morning, suddenly growing tired of the classic shade of Corpus Christi, and leaving without saying goodbye. “The desire to roam over the broad and beautiful country was too much for him, so he shook the dust of the Bluff City from his pedal extremities and started out to see the sights of that great world that is not kissed by the balmy breezes fresh from Old Neptune’s salt wash. His departure was as sudden as it was unexpected. He did not linger to bid us an affectionate good-bye, but like the Arab of song and story folded his tent and stole silently away. It is said that he is headed for the World’s Fair. Whether he reached there or not, he will always have the Caller’s kindest wishes because he had always proven himself an honest, hard-working boy. But, like many other youths of his age, his nature is tinctured with a small amount of romance, which only time and experience will eradicate.â€
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
3. Obituary
IN MEMORIAM
It is with much regret that the editor of The Sun chronicles the death of his old-time friend and former business associate, John Howard Heavin. For several months past Mr. Heavin had been temporarily residing in Beeville. Two weeks ago his health began to rapidly decline, and he returned to his home in Corpus Christi, hoping that the invigorating sea breeze and the careful nursing of a devoted wife would at least temporarily stay the remorseless hand of that grim destroyer, consumption. But his hopes were in vain. The icy hand of Death had touched his brow, and one by one the sand of life were dropping on Eternity’s Mysterious Strand. He bore his sufferings patiently, heroically, and up to the end did not despair. Tuesday, August 9th, at 4 a.m., he was seized with a violent paroxyism of coughing, and while seated in a chair, supported by his sorrowing wife, the soul of John Howard Heavin left its earthly tenement of clay to return to its Creator. Tuesday afternoon at 5 o’clock the funeral services took place from the Baptist church, and were conducted by Rev. John A. Arbuckle. Shortly before sundown, amid the gentle weepings of Nature and the sorrowing of wife, children and friends, the remains were consigned to their last resting place in Bayview Cemetery. Knowing Mr. Heavin as we did, and being cognizant of his many sterling qualities as a man, a business associate and a friend, his loss is deeply deplored, and it is needless to add our kindest sympathy is extended to his wife and two children, Oscar and Arthur.
Biographical. John Howard Heavin was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, and at the time of his death, lacked only two days of being 44 years old. At one time he was Master Mason of the Indianapolis Masonic Fraternity. His calling was that of a job printer, and by the excellence of his work he held a number of important positions in some of the largest printing establishments of the country. In 1884 he attended as a delegate from Indianapolis the International Typographical Convention at New Orleans, and from there came to Texas. He worked in Galveston and San Antonio, and in 1886 moved from the latter place to Corpus Christi, where he had ever since made his home. Mr. Heavin was a man of quiet, unassuming demeanor, but his innate courtesy, kindly disposition, and genuine frankness made and retained for him many friends in this city who deeply regret his demise.
Source: The Texas Sun, August 12, 1898
Research by: William Heavin Lawson
Transcription by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Heavin—In this city, Tuesday, August 9, 1898, at 4:30 a.m., Mr. John Howard Heavin, a native of Hendricks county, Indiana, aged 43 years, 11 months, and 28 days. The many friends of Mr. Heavin, the well known popular job printer, heard with sorrow this week the news of his untimely demise. His death, however, was not entirely unexpected. Mr. Heavin was forced to come south from his Indiana home about fourteen years ago on account of lung trouble. In 1886 he came from San Antonio to Corpus Christi, with his wife and two sons, to accept a position in the Caller job office. Some years later he gave up his position with the Caller and opened a job office of his own. Reverses overtook him a few years after and he sought employment in other parts of the state, leaving his family at Corpus Christi. His health began to fail again, the dreaded disease, consumption, getting a firm hold on him finally, when last week he had to leave his job in the Atchley printing office near Beeville and come home. He was conscious up to the last, dying in a sitting position, resting his head in the window. Mr. Heavin leaves to mourn his loss besides his devoted wife and two sons, Messrs. Oscar and Arthur Heavin, three sisters in the north. His funeral took place Tuesday from the Baptist church, the services being held there by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Arbuckle. To the afflicted family the Caller joins others in extending its heartfelt sympathy.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, August 12, 1898
Research by: William Heavin Lawson
Transcription by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
J. H. Heavin died in Corpus Christi last Tuesday morning and was buried in the cemetery of that city Tuesday evening. Mr. Heavin was one of the best known and finest job printers in the country. From the last December until war was declared between Spain and the United States he presided over the mechanical department of the Picayune office. When volunteers were called for he enlisted and went to Austin with the Kenedy Rifles of Corpus Christi. Failing to pass the examination he returned to Beeville, but was taken sick the following day and never recovered. He leaves a wife and two sons, besides a host of friends, to mourn his loss. He was kind hearted and charitable and if all those who have been the recipients of some kind act at his hand were to lay a wreath of flowers on his grave he would rest beneath a perfumed mountain of blossoms. If “to live in hearts behind is not to die†Howard Heavin is no more dead than we who are sad because his cheerful presence is no longer among us.
Source: Beeville Picayune, August 12, 1898
Research by: William Heavin Lawson
Transcription by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
The sad intelligence of the sudden demise of Mr. J. H. Heavin was received with much sorrow. Mr. Heavin had many warm friends in the company, he having joined us at Beeville, while on our way to Austin, but failing to pass the physical examination, was rejected. Finding that he could not serve his country, it was with much reluctance that he bid us his last farewell.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller Correspondent with Company E, 1st Texas Volunteers Regiment, at Jacksonville, Fla.
Research by: William Heavin Lawson
Transcription by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
4. Family History
The original document was hand written by the sister of John Howard Heavin. She was visited in 1948 by John’s son Arthur and Arthur’s grandson, William Heavin Lawson. This document is copied as written without correction of spelling or grammar.
In the latter part of the sixteenth century King James the Ist of England on account of political differences deported to Ireland a large number of Scotch people. Among them was the Heavin family which lived in Ireland until about 1720 then emigrated from that country to this. John Heavin was among some members of the family who first went to England and then emigrated to this. The exact date of his coming is not known but public record show that he was living in Maryland as early as 1734. Between the years 1734-1739 he signed his name to three different wills. At that time there were but two counties comprising Maryland. He always spelled his name Heavin. John Heavin is said to have been a member of the Scottish tribe of Macbeth. Macbeth son of Tinley Mac-Rory was born 1005 accended the throne of Scotland 1057. He ruled at the same time of Edward the Confessor of England. John Heavin who was born many years after this was said to possess a coat of arms presented by the King of England for his bravery in battle. He was born about 1700 and was married in 1725 to Sarah whose family name is not known. Just when he moved to Montgomery Co. Virginia I do not know. He had two sons John and Howard our ancestor. John Heavin married Mary whose family name is not known. They had several children. He died in 1782 in Montgomery Co. Va. I do not known whether his descendants live in Va. or not. I have no record of that.
Howard Heavin our ancestor had 2 sons and 3 daughters.
William our ancestor
John married Mary Pepper.
Elizabeth married Col. James Bane.
Mary “ a Mr. Brom (or Brown).
Nancy “ Major Howe (or Horne).
The girls all remained in Virginia and their descendents still live there. I meet a member of the Howe/Horne family when I was in Virginia last time.
1. James married three time had 1 son and 1 daughter. John married Lydia Stephenson. Ellen died without descendents. John’s descendents live around New Winchester and Greencastle Ind. You were at their home Arthur and perhaps remember of Oscar hurting his foot there. (Note that Arthur and Oscar are sons of John Howard Heavin, buried in Old Bayview Cemetery).
2. John second son of John Heavin and Sarah was my father and your grandfather. He married Phoebe Williams and you know who the children were.
3. Howard married Jane Wood. They had two boys and 3 girls. Two girls and one boy is living. All the children married but they have no descendents. The family live near Filmore (sic?) Ind.
4. Joel married Caroline---They have one son Thomas. He has a large family who live around Filmore Ind. And are very prosperous.
5. Elijah married Catherine---He had a large family but few descendents in this generation. They live near Filmore Ind.
6. Rufus died in the civil war.
Elizabeth never married. Sarah never married. Frances married Thomas Kinser. Her descendents live about Christainsburg Va. When our grandfather’s six sons were grown he went to Indiana and bought each son a hundred acres of land and they all went there and took possession of it. The daughter Frances was already married and remained in Virginia. I visited her daughter there two years ago and saw the old homestead where the Heavin family lived. It was a great thrill. My father’s home was near Indianapolis but he sold his place in 1872 and moved to Kansas. All his family except your father (John Howard Heavin) went with them within four years. Both parents died and the children all came back to Indiana. Sarah and Stephen (Colonel) died at 21. Your father followed then Ada and Minerva and I am left alone. I feel very lonely sometimes. John Heavins who married Mary Pepper had two daughters: Ruth who married a Mr. McClure their descendents live in and around Bristol Va. and Naomi the second daughter married Anderson Mathews. They had a large family. Along about 1820 (or 1830) John Heavin his wife and Anderson Mathews went to Putnam Co. Indiana. Their descendents live around that section now. He had many distinguished descendents among them Ridpath the historian. John Heavin was a very ingenious man six patents taken out by him are on record in the patent office in Washington. Howard Heavin married Ruth Hall and her brother Patrick Hall’s daughter Mary Ann Hall is the mother of Cyrus Hall McCormick the inventor of the reaper.
They were all friends and neighbors in Virginia and Cyrus Hall McCormick was a frequent visitor to the home of John Heavin and it is said he gave valuable assistance to the inventor of the reaper. William Heavin married Barbara Shell and they have five children. John married Sarah Wall. He and his family moved to Indiana about the same time his brother. John did all but his son John who remained on the old estate near Radford or Lonely Mount as it was then called. John was our ancestor. William who married Elizabeth Shell had eight children who all died before their parents. I visited their graves on my last visit to Indiana. The entire family is buried in a row. William and Barbara Shell our great-grandparents are buried in a family plot near by. Stones mark the grave. I have not the record with me of their daughters whose descendents live about Stylesville Putman Co. Our grandfather John who married Sarah Wall raised their family of nine children in Virginia. Six sons and three daughters.
Heavin ancestors and descendents of John Howard Heavin
1. John & Sarah Heavin—2 sons
2. John & Phoebe Heavin—6 sons/3 daughters
3. JOHN HOWARD HEAVIN & Sarah—2 sons: Arthur & Oscar
4. Arthur & Carried Heavin—1 daughter
5. Carriebelle Heavin & William Lawson—2 sons: William Heavin Lawson and Douglas Lawson
This document and genealogical information is submitted by William Heavin Lawson, great-grandson of John Howard Heavin who is buried in Old Bayview Cemetery.
Transcription by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
5. Photographs of Arthur Heavin
Christmas in Port Arthur, Early 50s
Submitted by: William Heavin Lawson
6. Photographs of Carrie Cumming Heavin
From the Photographic Studio of E.W. Shively, Decatur, IL
Submitted by: William Heavin Lawson
7. Photographs of Sadie Heavin Watts
Mrs. J.H. Heavin and sons, Oscar and Arthur. This picture was taken in Corpus Christi sometime in the 1890s.
Submitted by: William Heavin Lawson
8. Photographs of Heavin House
Built in 1901 by Arthur and Carrie Heavin. This house and one next door were at that time the last houses in Houston on Crawford St. The houses were demolished in 1963 after his death. Estimate picture was taken around 1910.
Looking north on Webster at 2203 Crawford
Submitted by: William Heavin Lawson