Heiner & Dietzel - Monk Family Organization

Martin became very active in civic and church activities. In August 20, 1870,
Martin was appointed as a city councilman on the second city council of Morgan City
with William Eddington as Mayor, Richard Fry, Robert Hogg, Charles Turner, and W.
M. Parker as the other councilors. The City Council experienced the usual difficulties in
regulating, restraining etc. the sale of spirituous and fermented liquor. On March 9,
1872, they took the business entirely into their own hands by appointing Mayor
Eddington and Councilor Fry their agents to buy and sell intoxicating drinks. Also, the
same date, with a laudable spirit of public improvement, they appointed a committee to
superintend the planting of shade trees.
On August of that same year, the council ordered a survey of land within the
corporate limits, for the purpose of determining what land would be necessary to enter
under the townsite law, and also to determine the limits of private owners.
After the election in 1872, Martin was again elected to the third city council. On
December 12, 1872, further arrangements were made to perfect the townsite entry, and it
was finally consummated in 1874. Early in 1873, small pox appeared in town and
quarantine was established. The disease was checked after the loss of five citizens.
Daniel married Martha Stevens on March 31, 1873 and at the same time took for
his wife the widow of his brother John, Sarah Jane Coulam Heiner. He built a house on
the right side of his father, Martin. Anthony also built a rock house on the opposite side
of the street from the Martin home.
On June 15, 1874, an agreement was made between Morgan City and Morgan
County to build a courthouse, city hall, and jail together. The building was to be 38x46
feet with a rock basement, containing five cells for prisoners, and two stories of brick
above the basement.
Martin also served on the fourth city council, which was organized 28 October
1874. He also served as a school trustee. During the summer of 1877, there was a heavy
loss of crops due to the depredations of grasshoppers. The following year the city council
ordered that no tax should be assessed.
Martin served as a High Councilman and on May 15, 1893, and was ordained a
patriarch by Francis M. Lyman. He gave many patriarchal blessings to his grandchildren
and others.
In 1902, the Heiner Brothers, built a reservoir and with the help of other people in
the town, laid a pipeline down to the country road. From here every man laid his pipe to
his own home. They also laid a line to the cemetery.
The Martin Heiner home was always cheerful, bright and full of inspiration. He
always had a word of good cheer for everyone who visited them. Martin was very exact
in all things and always kept his promise. He had a mild temperament and always
honored the Priesthood. As a father he was all that could be asked. His advice was