Henry H. Heimann
Sept. 26, 1891-Sept. 12, 1958
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 13, 1958, page 1, col. 6-7, continued page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library (copy also submitted by family member)
Headed National Credit Group
Henry Heimann Dies Unexpectedly at 66
Henry H. Heimann, 66, of 1219 Cedar street, executive manager of the National Association of Credit Men at New York City for 27 years, died unexpectedly Friday at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where he was attending a western conference of credit association members.
Mr. Heimann left a post as vice president and treasurer of the Kawneer Co. in 1931 to accept the top post in the credit field. He was known throughout the country's financial circles and had served in federal government advisory capacities in the 1930's.
Born Sept. 26, 1891, in Aviston, Ill., he came to Niles 41 years ago from Denver, Colo.
Survivors are his wife, Florentine, who resides at the Cedar Street address; one daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Hamburger of Effingham, Ill., two grandchildren and one sister, Miss Martha Heimann of Clayton, Mo.
Friends may call beginning Monday at the Pifer Funeral Home where the Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Monday. Funeral services will be conducted at St. Mark Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Tuesday by the Rev. Francis E. Timmons, pastor. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Mr. Heimann was a member of many organizations in Niles and New York City.
Upon completion of his grammar and high school education, he attended St. Mary's College in Kansas and St. Louis University where he studied business administration. He later was graduated from the St. Louis University's School of Law and admitted the Missouri State Bar.
Coming to Niles in 1917, he first was employed as an accountant by the Kawneer Co. He was promoted to other various posts until resigning as vice president and treasurer in 1931 to become executive manager of the credit association.
During his residence in Niles he served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce and was the first chairman of the Safety Board. He served as chairman of the Michigan State Central Democratic Committee in 1929 and year before was a delegate-at-large from Michigan to the national Democratic convention at Houston, Tex.
Before his appointment as executive manager of the credit association, Mr. Heimann had served as vice president and president of the association.
In 1934, he was drafted to head the Shipping Board Bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce. After his reorganization plans for the American merchant marine were instituted, he returned to the credit post.
Mr. Heilmann was offered appointments as second and first assistants to the secretary of commerce in 1935 during the administration of President Roosevelt. However, he declined both appointments. He also was mentioned as a successor to Daniel C. Roper as secretary of commerce in 1938.
Also in 1935 he became chairman of the causes and remedies committee of the Accident Prevention conference named by Secretary Roper to cut down on the traffic death toll.
When the National Recovery Program was organized, Mr. Heimann was selected a member and later named the vice chairman of the Industry Advisory Board. He also was named to the long-range business and advisory planning group of the Department of Commerce and later served on the department's executive council.
As executive manager of the National Association of Credit Men, he traveled throughout the country supervising activities of the organization of more than 25,000.
He returned to Niles and other Michigan cities many times to address chambers of commerce, service clubs and similar groups on the status of the country's business and financial conditions.