Heber, Edward W.

Born at Belleville, IL; deafened at 12 from scarlet fever and diphtheria. Continued in hearing schools into high school, but switched to the Illinois School for the deaf in 1892, graduating 1893. Flunked the entrance exam for Gallaudet College, and entered the shoemaking trade. Learned bookkeeping in his spare time, then took a course-by-mail in advertising, starting a part-time home-based advertising business.