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The house was built around 1913 by Elda’s grandfather, Henry Knippenberg who built it for the love of his life, his wife, Wilhemina Louisa. Mrs. Knippenberg passed away in 1932. After Mr. Knippenberg died in 1943, the house went to the Knippenberg’s only daughter and her family.

Fred C. and Matlida (Tillie) Heintze moved into the house in 1943 along with their three children, Elda, Fred and Jean. 1943 was the year of the dry flood. Most who have lived around Beardstown for many years remember the dry flood. It wasn’t too long after moving in that the warnings of flood were everywhere. The Heintzes after just moving everything in were now worried they might have to move everything up to their attic to survive the flood. But as we know now, there was no flood.

Fred C. (Dick) Heintze was employed by the railroad and was superintendent of the Water Department. Tillie was a homemaker. Dick passed away in 1962 and Tillie passed away in 2000 at the age of 104.

Their daughter, Elda, who has remained in the family home, graduated from Beardstown High School in 1936. She has for many, many years enjoyed hosting parties for her class’s reunions. In 1937 she was hired by The Beardstown Savings and Loan Association as a teller-bookkeeper-stenographer. By 1971 she had worked her way up to executive vice president and secretary and retired in 1985. Many in Beardstown will tell you that Elda worked out a loan for them when no one else would and they and wouldn’t have made it without her help. She was the first woman to be appointed manager and serve on the Board of Directors. Elda has served as an officer for many organizations including: The Beardstown Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Illinois Federation of B.P.W. clubs, The Eastern Star, The United Way, The Cass County Cancer Society and what she loved the most; the Board of Directors of the Beardstown Library.

Elda is a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Beardstown. Elda traveled abroad and throughout North America for her vacations visiting; Italy, France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Greece, Spain and Mexico. Elda has always been interested in preserving her family history and the history of Beardstown. She has saved many photos, paper clippings, documents, memorabilia and souvenirs.