Name/Title
Heaton, Heaton-BeGole Undertakers, Heaton-BeGole & BowmanEntry/Object ID
2020.25.1021Description
Circa 1843
DAVID J HEATON FUNERAL HOME
First Street
Circa 1844
D E HEATON & COMPANY
6th & Francis Street
Circa 1875
HEATON-BeGOLE UNDERTAKING COMPANY
109-111 South 7th Street
Circa 1876
HEATON-BEGOLE UNDERTAKERS
207 North 6th Street
Circa 1921
HEATON-BeGOLE & BOWMAN FUNERAL HOME
319 South 10th Street
ELK'S 40 CLUB
319 South 10th Street
David J. Heaton began the oldest funeral home in the State of Missouri and the oldest business firm in the City of St. Joseph
David J. Heaton Funeral Home was founded in 1842 in Sparta, Missouri
St. Joseph was originally a trading post settlement known as Black Snake Landing, a starting point for westbound wagon trains.
Mr. Heaton, was primarily a cabinet maker who also built caskets and served as arranger and director of funerals.
With the arrival of Joseph Robidoux, a French-Canadian Settler to the Landing, the community began to expand.
By 1843, the growing settlement was incorporated and named for St. Joseph, a saint.
Mr. Heaton moved into the immediate area of the city and established a cabinet shop/funeral home on First Street.
In 1844, the business moved to the corner of Sixth and Francis Streets and remained there until 1859
From 1852-54, Mr. Heaton served as city Coroner and was the city Fire Marshall.
In 1875, the firm moved to 109-111 South 7th Street, when David E. Heaton( son of the founder) joined his father
He did two-thirds of the undertaking in the city and conducted between 600-800 funerals annually.
He was up-to-date in everything that pertained to embalming and caring for the dead.
He manufactured his own goods, turning upwards of 1000 caskets per year out of his plant.
The manufacturing was entirely under the supervision of George J. BeGole
In 1876, the firm became known as D.J. Heaton & Company and moved to 207 North 6th Street.
In 1881, David E. Heaton purchased the firm from his father
The funeral home moved to 707 Edmond under the name D.E. Heaton and Company.
In 1896, David J. Heaton was declared the first licensed undertaker in the United States
Upon his death in 1898, he was buried in Mt. Mora Cemetery.
In 1913 David E. Heaton merged with George J. BeGole forming Heaton-BeGole Undertaking Company.
For the first time, ambulance service complemented the range of services provided by Heaton-BeGole
In 1921, David E. Heaton died. George J. BeGole became president/manager and the firm moved to 319 South 10th
. This new location had been originally built as a residence, served as a boarding home and the city public library.
In 1927, Heaton-BeGole & Bowman Inc. was formed. George J. BeGole died in 1942.
In 1942, Frank A. Bowman, then acting manager, headed the new company, Heaton-Bowman Funeral Home.
https://www.stjosephmemorylane.com/7thstreet/south7th.htmlPhotograph Details
Subject
Photographs, AdvertisementsSubject Person or Organization
Heaton, D. J, George J. Begole, Heaton Funeral Home, St. Joseph, MO
