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First Death Here From Infant Plague
by Gina Bivins, Trustee, GRHS
Lawrence Heinbeck was born on June 13, 1894 and died September 19, 1916 at the tender age of 22, from what is today known as polio. Lawrence is my maternal great-uncle. The article follows here:
First Death Here From Infant Plague Lawrence Heinbeck, Twenty-two, Dies Tuesday; Six Cases Now Pending.
Infantile paralysis has claimed its first victim here this year. Early Tuesday Lawrence Heinbeck, twenty-two years old, 711 Chatham street, N.W., succumbed. He was ill less than a week and his case was reported Monday.
Lawrence as a teenager with his sister Genevieve
Heinbeck was a clerk in the Grand Trunk railway freight offices. He first complained of being sick Saturday morning, and Dr. Stephen A. Whinery was called. On Sunday Heinbeck’s left arm was paralyze and he had a pain in the back. Monday the paralysis spread to his legs. Monday night his lungs were so weak a pulmotor was used to assist breathing.
Heinbeck was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Branch No. 48. C.M.B A. and St. Joseph’s society of St. James’ parish. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Heinbeck. Funeral Services will be private, and will be held at 9 o’clock Wednesday morning at the residence. Interment will be in Mount Calvary cemetery.
Two other cases were reported to the board of health, making six positive cases now on record. Brooks Cowing, eighteen years old, 1517 College avenue N.E., and Henry Vertrigt, three years old, 1147 Sherman street S.E., are new victims. Dr. C. C. Slemons is investigating one suspicious case.
The following day this article appeared in the Grand Rapids Press September 21,1916.
Pay Last Respects Filing Past Window More Than 200 View Body of Joseph Lawrence Heinbeck, Paralysis Victim
Lawrence Heinbeck as a child with his parents (seated), Daniel and Catherine, and his sister Genevieve
Though the house where Joseph Lawrence Heinbeck died of infantile paralysis is quarantined Inspector Stanley Lewicke, to gratify the insistent associates of the dead man, obtained permission to place the coffin at a window. Tuesday more than 200 passed, viewed the body and paid their last respects.
From the moment news of the young man’s death was given out the Heinbeck home was besieged with callers, but the rigid quarantine could not be broken. With the aid of family members, Lewicke wheeled the coffin to the window Tuesday and removing the cover gratified the wish of friends. Representatives of the five societies in which Lawrence Heinbeck held membership were among the visitors.
Lawrence, as a young man, with his parents, Daniel and Catherine Heinbeck
The saddest feature of the services, however, occurred Wednesday morning when at 9 o’clock private funeral services were held at the residence, 711 Chatham street N.W., and the body carried by board of health employees, was taken from the home. Burial was made at Mount Calvary cemetery. Thursday morning solemn funeral mass will be conducted at St. James church on Bridge street N.W.
First Death Here From Infant Plague
headline from article in the Grand Rapids Press, September 20, 1916
