Henry Heppner

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Birth: Mar. 25, 1831, Germany Death: Feb. 16, 1905 Heppner Morrow County Oregon, USA

Henry was a German Jew who was born in Germany in 1843 and came to America in 1858 through New York City.

He then traveled to San Francisco by way of Cape Horn in 1860. From there he eventually started his own Mercantile business in Shasta, California.

Henry later moved on to Corvallis, Oregon where he transferred his business and ran it for two years. However, he wasn't happy there so he moved on to The Dallas, Oregon were he was very successful for 6 years.

During the Civil War Time and the time of the mines in Idaho opening, Mr. Heppner saw the opportunity to transfer his business again. However, this wouldn't be an easy task for Henry and his employees as the Indians of Upper Columbia River became toublesome making it very difficult to conduct a freighting business.

However, Henry was able to run a pack train for over two years in the "Canyon City" route but not without the Indians partaking in making it difficult. Once such incident was when they drove off the mules in one direction and the five men in charge escaped in a different direction. The mules weren't found but it wasn't a great loss of merchandise as they were on a return trip so there wasn't anything in the packs. However, new mules did have to be purchased so the freighting business could continue. There were times where the men where shot at but nobody was hurt. During those days this was a common occurence.

Mr. Heppner discontinued his freighting business in 1872. He than meant Captain Morrow in La Grande and he persuaded Henry to join him in entering into a mercantile business on Stansbury Flat in a part of Umatilla County. This area later became to be known as Morrow County.

In later years he became a business partner with Frank Maddock. From there he went into business with Henry Blackman. They established a forwarding and commission business in Arlington, Oregon and named it "Alkali."

Henry was involved in the accomplishments of first school, newspaper, hotel and other developments.

The towns people felt it fitting to name the town after Henry Heppner for two reasons. He was the person who had been instrumental in the founding of the town and he had never married or had children so there wasn't a way to perpetuate his family surname.

I have also found information that he was born March 25, 1831 in Prussia. The cemetery has conferred he is buried here close to Philip Heppner. They inform me the records state he was born 1831.

Henry Heppner passed away in the Heppner Hospital referred to as the Sanatorium at the time. He had been having sinking spells from heart problems and wasn't wishing to go to the hospital according to his obituary notice.

His siblings are as follows:

Philip Heppner Fannie Heppner (Blackman)

His obituary notice lists more siblings and half-siblings.

This family information is contributed by Michele Ball.