Johan “John” Heimann, 1839–1893

Johan “John” Heimann was born in April 1839 in Neustädtlein, Kulmbach, Oberfranken, Bavaria, to Eberhard Heimann and Catherine Schmidt. After departing Bremen with his family, the group arrived on 4 June 1852, at the Port of New Orleans, then moved on to St. Louis, Missouri.

Annie Theresa Bauer was born on 28 February 1842 in Kotzmannsreuth, Pegnitz, Oberfranken, Bavaria, to Johan and Catherine Bauer. She departed Bremerhaven with her family arriving on 13 December 1843 at the Port of New Orleans and then on to St. Louis, Missouri.

Annie and John married on 3 June 1860 in Zion Lutheran Church. They originally settled in the central business district, later moving to Old North St. Louis in the vicinity of Broadway and Wright, and they also spent a short time in Alton, Illinois. John’s profession was a cigar maker/tobacconist while Annie maintained their home. Their children were Katherine, William, Anna Margaretha, Minnie, John, Annie, Joseph, Edward, and August with six who died as infants or very young.

In August 1861, John Heimann enlisted in the Civil War in Company B, U.S. Telegraph Corps and then with Company I, 40th Missouri Infantry Volunteers. As a member of the Telegraph Corps, he strung wire on posts to communicate with front line troops, and this was the beginning of the Army Signal Corps. He injured his hip after falling from the top of a telegraph pole, which later would qualify him for a disability pension.

As an infantryman in the 40th Missouri Regiment, he participated in battles at Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and in pursuit of General Hood to the Tennessee River. His unit moved through Eastport and Vicksburg, Mississippi, then to New Orleans, Louisiana, followed by Lakeport and Mobile Bay, Alabama. He went to battle in the campaign against Mobile, siege of Spanish Fort, and the assault and capture of Fort Blakely.

The Heimann/Bauer families were close as Conrad Heimann married Margaretha Bauer, who lived next door at 2905 N. Broadway in the same building as his brother, John Bauer and his family with John Heimann’s sister, Elisabeth Strobel and her family a few doors down.

Because the families were close, tragedy fell upon the family on 18 March 1880 when Conrad Heimann was drinking, and he stabbed to death his wife, Margaretha, who was holding baby daughter Maggie. Margaretha died immediately with Maggie passing a month later. The coroner’s inquest revealed by testimony of his sister, Elisabeth that Conrad had suffered from hallucinations since childhood, which was made worse by drinking. Conrad was convicted of second-degree murder in a trial in October 1880, but in February 1881 a judge dismissed all charges because it was determined Conrad was insane at the time.

John Heimann passed away on 23 June 1893 of chronic bronchitis, and is buried at St. John’s Cemetery, Bellefontaine Neighbors. Annie Bauer Heimann supported herself doing day labor jobs, living with the youngest children, including my grandfather, August George Heimann, in a small apartment at 814 Wright Street. Annie Heimann passed away from bronchitis on 15 March 1909 with burial at St. John’s Cemetery with her husband and children August, Annie, Joseph, and Edward.

Written by Scot Heimann
February 2021

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Last Modified: 27-Jun-2021 15:17