David J. Heaton,Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, the oldest funeral home in the State of Missouri and the oldest business firm in the City of St. Joseph, was founded in 1842 by David J. Heaton at Sparta, Missouri, the former county seat of Buchanan County. St. Joseph was originally a trading post settlement know as Black Snake Landing, located on the banks of the Missouri River. It was a supply and starting point for westbound wagon trains. Mr. Heaton, primarily a cabinet maker, also built caskets and served as arranger and director of funerals. With the arrival of Joseph Robidoux, a French-Canadian Settler to the Landing, the community began to expand. Robidoux and his family were aggressive and by 1843, the growing settlement was incorporated and named for St. Joseph, after his patron saint. Mr. Heaton moved into the immediate area of the city and established a cabinet shop/funeral home on First Street. Through the years, it moved and expanded in several locations to meet the...
