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Rock County, Wisconsin

Biographies

"Edward Burton Heimstreet"

EDWARD BURTON HEIMSTREET, the leading druggist of Janesville, established business in
this city in 1868, and has carried it on continuously since with marked success. His stock comprises a full line of drugs, patent medicines, paints, oils, glass and artists' materials, and in the last mentioned class of goods he does both a retail and wholesale business. His establishment is one of the largest and finest drug houses in the State, and four clerks are employed.
Mr. HEIMSTREET is a native of New York, and was born in Lansingburg, Rensselaer County,
on the 3rd day of January, 1848. His father, Stephen HEIMSTREET, was born in New York, Nov. 24, 1813, and was a well known druggist of Lansingburg. His mother, whose maiden name was Emeline SPICER, was born at Charlotte, Vt., and was descended from an old New England family, her father, the Rev. Tobins SPICER, being a prominent Methodist itinerant minister, of New England. In January, 1867, his parents became residents of Janesville, where they made their home until October, 1886, at which time they returned to the East on a visit. The death of the father occurred at Troy, N.Y., in January, 1887, at the age of seventy-four years. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His mother is still living in Troy, N.Y.
The subject of this sketch received a liberal education, attending the Methodist Episcopal College
of Poultney, Vt., and subsequently became a student of Jonesville Academy, at Jonesville, N.Y.; later of Mechanicsville Academy. He then studied medicine under Dr. H. B. WHITON of Troy, N.Y., for two years, also attending Albany Medical College.
After several vain attempts to enlist in the volunteer service of the late war, in January, 1865, be
succeeded in being enrolled as a private of Company F, of the 14th Regiment, United States Regulars, and served until August, following the close of the war, when through the influence of his father, who had been trying to induce him to leave the service since he had entered it, he was honorably discharged.
Mr. HEIMSTREET was employed in his father's drug store from early boyhood and became
thoroughly instructed in the business. In 1867, he removed to Janesville, Wis., intending to perfect himself in the study of medicine, but finding an opportunity to buy a drug store at a good advantage, he did so and has carried on the business continuously since.
On the 14th day of January, 1868, Mr. HEIMSTREET was married at Janesville, Miss Stelle
HOWARD, daughter of William H. HOWARD, then Sheriff of Rock County, becoming his wife. The lady was born at Shullsburg, Grant Co., Wis., where her parents were among the early settlers. Two children have been born of their union, Alice M., and Charles S., both born at Janesville.
Mr. HEIMSTREET has been identified with the leading interests of Rock County, since becoming
one of its residents. He was one of the foremost movers in securing the State Pharmacy law and worked long and faithfully to secure its passage. He is credited with being the founder of the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Association, of which he is the present secretary, and is also secretary of the State Board of Pharmacy, in which position he has served for seven years. He has also served as secretary of the Janesville City Hospital since its establishment in 1888, for three years was secretary of the Rock County Agricultural Society, for ten years served as secretary of the Janesville Horticultural Society, for thirteen years held the office of secretary of the Janesville Fire Police, and five years was collector of the Janesville Fire Department. He is also adjutant of the W. H. Sergeant Post, No. 20, G.A.R.; a member and Past Chancellor of Oriental Lodge, No.22, K. of P.; P.G. of Wisconsin Lodge, No. 14, I.O.O.F., and Sachem of the order of Red Men. Mr. HEIMSTREET and his family attend Christ Church (Episcopal), of which Miss Alice is a communicant.
Mrs. HEIMSTREET, a bright, active and highly intelligent woman, renders her husband valuable
assistance in his business correspondence, and in the clerical duties of the various society secretaryships which he holds, and without her cheerfully rendered services it would be impossible for him to successfully discharge the various duties imposed upon him without neglecting his private business. Mr. HEIMSTREET is recognized as one of the wide-awake, progressive business men of Janesville. Public-spirited, broad in his views, of unquestioned integrity and always up with the times, his interest and efforts in the cause of wholesome laws in regard to pharmacy, have won him distinction throughout the state.
 
Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 504-505.
 
Courtesy of Carol

This page last updated May 15, 2002
 
©2002 WIBiographies-Rock County
 
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