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Heisey’s
Heisey’s
Monroe “Dutch” Heisey was born April 7, 1880 at Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania to Henry and Annie Brubaker Heisey.
Monroe died June, 2 1963 at Geneva, Nebraska
Buried at Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Nebraska
Married August 16 1905 to Laura Bender at Strang, Nebraska
They were the parents of two children, Kenneth and Leta
In 1900 Census, Monroe was living and working in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but by the spring of 1902 was working for the telephone company
In the fall of 1907, Dutch left his job as trouble man for the telephone company and moved his family to University Place where he was employed in the electric light plant.
Mr. Heisey fell from a 30 foot electric light pole in March 1908. Unbeknownst to him, his safety belt became unbuckled and he fell backwards off the pole. As he fell, his body got caught on a wire which changed the direction of his fall. He landed on his feet on the sidewalk below breaking bones in both his feet and ankles. A crippling accident, but a narrow escape from death.
In November 1908, Dutch moved back to Geneva with his family and purchased the Sheldon news stand at 130 North 9th Street. Over the years, the family business was moved several times. The first relocation was in 1911 to 924 G Street, followed by a move in 1916 to 918 G Street, and to the final location at 972 G Street in 1941. Heisey remained here until 1971. At that time the store was closed, but Dutch’s daughter Leta Ritchey continued to do business on a smaller scale at the Ritchey Station and in her home at 13th and G Streets.
In November 1958, the M. Heisey Store observed 50 years in business. Mrs. Harvey (Viola M. Bender) Garrett, a sister-in-law of Monroe had been employed in the store for 49 years. Monroe’s son Kenneth also worked in the store after graduating from high school with the exception of a several years while he was in military service.
Monroe Heisey was a member of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, the Masonic Lodge and the Congregational Church.
At the time of his death, Dutch was the Lincoln Journal’s oldest dealer. He was the first person in Geneva to obtain a franchise from the Eastman Kodak Co. and also the first merchant to sell Hallmark greeting cards.
Kenneth Monroe Heisey was the oldest child of Monroe and Laura Bender Heisey as he was born December 10, 1906 at Geneva.
Kenneth died June 12, 1970 at his home at Carleton, Nebraska
Ken was buried in the family plot at the Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Nebraska
In 1957, Ken married Lela Mills Walker of Carleton, Nebraska, they had no children.
Ken graduated from GHS in 1926 and went on to attend the Lincoln School of Commerce.
He was a veteran of WWII, a member of the Congregational Church and sang in the choir. He also served on the city council as well as numerous civic and masonic organizations.
Kenneth served as a substitute mail carrier for the postal service.
After Kenneth was discharged from the service, he rejoined his father in business.
Leta Heisey Ritchey was born August 27 1908 in Geneva, Nebraska to Monroe and Laura Bender Heisey.
Leta died April 13, 1992 at Geneva, Nebraska
Leta was buried on the family plot in the Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Nebraska
After the death of her father Monroe, Leta worked alongside her brother at the store.
Later in life, Leta married Everett Ritchey. Everett died in 1986
After the Heisey store on G street was sold in 1971 to settle the estate of her brother, she continued her subscription business at Ritchey’s Station and later at her home near the corner of 13th & G.
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