Bonaventura Heinz was born in Baden, present day Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1845.[3] He settled in St. Louis, Missouri before enlisting in the United States Army to fight in the war with Mexico. He returned to St. Louis where he married Margueretta Trenkenshuh. They eventually moved to Davenport, where they raised four children. He became the wharf manager and was connected to river transportation. He also took an active role in public affairs in Davenport. He died in 1899 at the age of 72.