Heisserer Genealogy

Coming to America

Because of the wars, Alsace-Lorraine, France was taken over by Germany and they had to speak German.
Anton Heisserer and his family decide to immigrate to America. On August 15, 1847, Anton and his wife,
Katharine along with their 5 sons and 2 daughters left Alsace, and crossed France to the Port of LeHarve
where they boarded the ship JOHN CADMUS, which was at sea for 56 days. The Captain was pretty
hard on these people. Everyone that was able to work had to do something, even the children had to do hard labor.
They landed at New Orleans on October 20th, 1847. From New Orleans they took a steamboat up the Mississippi river, passing Cape Girardeau on Nov. 1st. Their destination was Benton when they had left their native land, but they first
went to St. Louis not knowing just where Benton was. They were informed they had gone 165 miles too far, so they
asked the captain of the boat to take them down the Father of Waters and let them off at Commerce.

(On the check list of passengers on board the ship JOHN CADMUS, the names were listed as Antoine Hauserer (37), his wife Anna Katharina (37) and their seven children: Regina (9), Vincent (8), Jean (French for John-7), Simon (5), Barbara (4), Clemens (2), and Charles (3/4). Along with them came Anna Katharina's sister, Josephine Hahn (23).)

Settling Down

Antony bought land near New Hamburg, Missouri. Clearing land, building a cabin and homesteading on this acreage.
There two more children were born to them: Rosina and Nicholas. He also applied for citizenship in 1853.

Tragedy

Antony lost his eyesight when he was only 50 yrs old and had only been in the country 2 years.
The native Missourians were very hostile to immigrants especially if they were Catholics. Anton and many of the
immigrants worked as lumberjacks during the winter months, cutting timber on one of the islands in the
Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau to fuel the boats going up the river to St. Louis. One winter cholera
broke out and most of the men were seriously ill and many died. Antony's eyes were affected and when a doctor
from the mainland finally was sent for, he poured an acid directly into his eyes which caused the fluid to drain out
and Antony was blind from that day on. The men were horrified and tried to get the doctor, but he had such a
fast horse that no one could catch up with him, which probably saved his life. With such a large family and Anton
being blind made it necessary for young Vincent to get out and work and help support the family.

A Little About Vincent

(Information in the records of the county court of Scott County)
Dram shop license to Vincent Heisserer, Commerce, July Term, 1869.

Vincent Heisserer's saloon building was erected about 1867. After about 1875 it was used as a Masonic hall.
(Note: picture to come.)

(Taken from the pages of the April 6, 1867 edition of the "Dispatch".)
"FARMER'S HOME SALOON, Vincent Heisserer, Prop., Water Street. Commodious stable is to be found
in the rear of the saloon, where farmers and others are at liberty to feed their stock. WITHOUT CHARGE.
Horses kept and well taken care of on the most reasonable terms. The best of hay & corn furnished."

(Taken from "Assessor's List of Values and Owners of Town Lots of Commerce In 1870")
(4 ft.) S, part Lot 5 Vincent Heisserer............$15
N1/2 of N1/2 Lot 6 Vincent Heisserer..........$900
Lot 73, E1/2, Vincent Heisserer..................$500
Lot 74, E1/2, Vincent Heisserer...................$50
Lot 76, Vincent Heisserer............................$10

He was a Union soldier for the Moreland Township
Vincent Heisserer, Pvt., E, 18th Ill. Inf., 1861 - June 11, 1864

In 1880, according to "Campbell's Gazetteer," Benton, Missouri had Charles F. Bonnefon's establishment,
"Charles' Extenuate and Billiard Hall;" The Benton Express, published by Marshall Arnold; Vincent's Heisserer's store;
Dr. C.C. Harris' drug store, located in his home; D.H. Leedy's carpenter shop, and Wm. M. Reeder's general
merchandise store. The post office was located in Reeder's store at the time.

(The Early History Of Sikeston)

Note: The information that I have obtained has either been noted by my family and by two books
"Pioneer Families of Scott County" and "The History of Scott County, Missouri" both by Edison Shrum.
For your own copies of these wonderful books - see the Commerce Historical Society

John Heisserer Family            John Heisserer Stories

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This page was made on June 4, 1998        Last updated December 15, 1998

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