Springfield-Greene
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of Many of the Representative Citizens
JAMES L. HECKENLIVELY. In reviewing the various professional interests of Greene county, the name of James L. Heckenlively cannot be ignored, for he has long been one of the most successful and best known architects in the Southwest. Although it is a known fact that, given the ordinary average education and good judgment, any man may make a success in the avenues of trade, yet in what are known as the fine arts, of which architecture is one, he must be endowed with superior natural attributes and have gone through years of careful study and training to be able to cope with the-brilliant minds which do honor to this vocation.
Mr. Heckenlively was born on August 18, 1863, in Gentry county, Missouri. He is a son of Jacob and Martha J. (Shisler) Heckenlively. The father was born in Crawford county, Ohio, May 9, 1838, and the mother was born in Meigs county, Ohio, in April, 1842. They grew to maturity in their native state; they were educated in the earl day schools.
The death of Mrs. Heckenlively occurred on March 28, 1914. Mr. Heckenlively has devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits, and is now living in St. Joseph, Missouri. His father, John Heckenlively, was born in April, 1799, in Germany, where he grew up, was educated and he became a Lutheran minister. He married Margaret Leffler, who was born, in 1803 in Germany. They immigrated to America in an early day, located in Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring on May 10, 1856. She died on March 24, 1852. Their children are all now deceased except Jacob, father of our subject, he being the youngest child. The family name was originally spelled in Germany as Heckenlaible. Jacob Heckenlively remained in Ohio until about he was about twenty years of age, when he removed to Iowa, where he resided until he came to Gentry county, Missouri, where he was married, in 1862. Barnabas Shisler, our subject's maternal grandfather, was born in Ohio. He was an early settler in Gentry county, Missouri. His wife, Susan Consolver, died near Warsaw, this state, as a result of a fall, when nearly one hundred years of age.
Politically, Jacob Heckenlively is a Republican. During the Civil war he enlisted from Gentry county in an infantry regiment, and served in the Federal army six months. His family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are still living, namely: James L., of this sketch; John B., born on November 8, 1865, lives in St. Joseph, Missouri; Delila J., born on February 2, 1868, lives in Colorado; Susan E., born on January 4, 1870, lives in Colorado City, Colorado; Della C., born on March 4, 1872, died at Lakin, Kansas, September 28, 1911; Lafayette H., born on October 11, 1874, lives in Columbus, Montana; Jefferson H., born on March 14, 1878, lives in Harrison county, Missouri; Orville, born on March 14, 1884, lives in El Paso, Texas.
James L. Heckenlively received part of his education in Gentry county, Missouri, and there he taught school for some time, later attending the Normal College at Stanberry, this state. He had a decided natural bent toward architecture, which manifested itself when he was a small boy, and when he left school he began the study of this profession with diligence and devotion, making rapid progress, serving an apprenticeship in an architect's office. He also learned the practical end of the business in Stanberry. Later he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he continued draughting, studying and carpenter work as well. He got his training by persistent hard work, close application, observation and practical experience. He began life for himself in 1893 at St. Joseph and Stanberry, and in 1894 came to Springfield and he has remained here ever since, and during this period of over twenty years his career has been marked by a steady growth, each year finding him further advanced than the preceding. He began on a small scale, but worked up to a large and lucrative business in a reasonably short time in general architecture, including not only all lines of the business, but also included civil engineering work. He has become widely known throughout this section of the state and his services have long been in good demand in other cities and towns besides Springfield. Among his more important jobs in Springfield may be mentioned the Carnegie Public Library, the high school, Masonic Temple, Grace Methodist Episcopal church, St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, South, St. John's Hospital, nearly all the ward school buildings and many others; also three buildings of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and Indian schools and dormitories at Wagoner, Oklahoma. He has attractive offices on the fifth floor of the Landers Building.
Mr. Heckenlively was married on June 5, 1889, in Albany, Gentry county, Missouri, to Leanora E. Campbell, who was born in Kentucky. She is a daughter of John P. and Amanda L. (Pelley) Campbell. This was a prominent old Kentucky family, members of which were noted in various walks of life. They emigrated here from the Blue Grass state in an early day and became well established in Missouri by their thrift and industry. Mrs. Heckenlively's father devoted his active life to general agricultural pursuits. She was given the advantages of an excellent education and is a lady of many admirable characteristics.
Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Mepha May died in infancy; Lura F., who is at home with her parents, Was educated in the public schools, the high school and Drury College, all of Springfield, and she made a fine record in all of them.
Politically, Mr. Heckenlively is a Republican, but he has never been an office-seeker, although taking much interest in general public affairs, especially as they affect the welfare of his county and state. His family attends the South Street Christian church. He has long been prominent in the Masonic order, his record in the same being as follows: He was made a Mason in Springfield in 1901. Since then he has been worshipful master of the lodge, high priest of the chapter for two terms, commander one term, thrice illustrious master two terms, grand master of the grand council, Royal and Select Masters, in 1914 and 1915; received the Shrine in Springfield in 1903 and served in all the offices but potentate; was deputy inspector of the Grand Commandery of the Second District in 1909; received the honorary Red Cross of Constantine in Joplin in 1910; was consecrated and anointed into the Order of High Priesthood in Springfield in 1908; is grand representative of the Grand Council of Arkansas and the Grand. Chapter of Arizona.
[1837-1839]
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