George Heinz II (b1845) Kickapoo Township

George Heinz, who owned the farm, was a prosperous farmer and invented the first potato planter and the first potato bug catcher. He raised many potatoes in his early farming and raised and fed many hogs each year. He was a church director for several terms and a staunch Democrat all his life. He was the Township road maintenance overseer for many years. He was also Township Commissioner for two terms. He put the first gravel on the highway in Illinois for a pavement. Then came the State gravel road, then the State concrete road. His first drain on his land was four boards nailed in a square to drain off surplus water on his land. The box-like drain was laid underground so he could farm over it. It was successful.

George Heinz owned 1,410 acres of land at his death.