Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p. 1620
Surnames: HEBNER, STEIGER, HEPNER, HOFFMAN, BORKEY, HAMSCHER,
BEHLER, CROLL, SCHLENKER, MERKEL, STOYER
Samuel S. Hebner, a well-known resident of Windsor township, who
is living retired on the old Hebner homestead, was born Feb. 8,
1838, on this farm, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Steiger) Hebner,
and grandson of Christian Hebner, the first of the name to settle
in the Windsor township. When Samuel S. Hebner was a youth
attending school in an old stone building that stood opposite the
St. John's Church in Hamburg, the teacher convinced him that his
name, if changed to Hepner, would be more easily pronounced. The
boy therefore substituted the "p" for the "b", and persuaded his
father also to adopt it, so that on the death of his grandfather,
the tombstone cutter spelled the name Hepner. In later years,
however, Samuel S. recognized the error, and has gone back to the
old German way of spelling the name.
Christian Hebner was born Sept. 16, 1775, and
died May 25, 1856. He married Anna Maria Hoffman, born Sept. 5,
1781, who died Nov. 9, 1861, and to them were born these children:
William m. Hannah Steiger; Jacob; Samuel m. Sally Borkey; and Eliza
m. Samuel Hamscher. Christian Hebner was a farmer all of his life,
and a most highly esteemed and prominent citizen of his district.
Jacob Hebner was born March 28, 1814, and died
March 2, 1890, having spent all of his life in Windsor township.
When a youth he was employed on the farm, later learning the trade
of stone mason, at which he worked for the railroad company for
about forty years, building the breastworks of the large Blue
Mountain dam, which has stood the storms and freshets of more than
a quarter of a century. He was an excellent mechanic and a man of
very good judgment. In politics he was a democrat, and served his
district as school director. In 1837 Mr. Hebner was married to
Elizabeth Steiger (or Stoyer), daughter of Samuel, and to this
union there were born Samuel S., Jacob, Alfred, Christian, Henry,
and Joseph, who is a prominent man of Hamburg, Pa. Jacob, Alfred,
Christian and Henry all died of cholera morbus within a period of
six weeks. The mother of these children, who was born Oct. 25,
1817, died aged eighty years, five months, twenty-five days.
Samuel S. Hebner worked on the farm of his
father until twenty-three years old, and then for a time hired out
to other farmers of the district. In the spring of 1863 he began
tending the Five Locks, below Hamburg, remaining there for five
years, when he began operations on his father's farm. In later
years he purchased this property, which consists of ninety-five
acres of good land. On it he built, in 1890, a substantial Swiss
barn 40 x 76 feet, to replace a smaller barn built by his
grandfather in 1814. Mr. Hebner also owns another tract of eighty
acres, known as the Major Miller farm, this property being
tenanted. The old homestead, on which Mr. Hebner resides, is now
tenanted by his son-in-law, Melvin R. Merkel. Mr. Hebner and his
family are members of Zion's Union Church. Politically he is
independent.
Mr. Hebner was married to Hettie Behler,
daughter of Jacob and Addie (Croll) Behler, and to this union there
were born two daughters: Lillie L., born in Topeka, Kans., Sept.
27, 1880, married Irwin Schlenker, and they have three children, -
Hettie A., Ralph E., and Samuel I.; and Lizzie S., born, born Dec.
16, 1883, married Melvin R. Merkel, by whom she has had three
children, - Samuel W. and George Kermit, both of whom died in
infancy, and Adam.
Mr. Hebner is fond of travel, and in 1880 he and
his wife took a trip through the West, visiting various places of
interest, and remaining one and one-half years. In his latter years
Mr. Hebner has done much reading, and his library is an extensive
one. He is a pleasing conversationalist, and can recollect many
interesting reminiscences of earlier days in the township. He has a
number of valuable old heirlooms of the family, one of these being
the table knife of his grandfather, which he uses daily. At the
time of his daughters' marriages, he presented each with a
twenty-dollar gold piece, a complete line of household goods, and a
farm stock worth $1,300. He is highly esteemed in his community,
and may be recorded among the good, substantial residents of Berks
county.
p. 428
Surnames: HECHLER, HECKLER, KISSLING, RITTER, SNYDER, SPAYD, COHEE,
KLOPP, RISHEL, WENRICH, MATTES, HUNTER, SUNDAY, WAGNER, ADAMS
William F, Hechler, one of the leading citizens of West Reading,
Pa., who is serving as one of the first councilmen of the new
borough, was born Aug. 22, 1850, in Penn township, Berks county,
son of Amos and Elizabeth (Kissling) Hechler.
Rudolph Heckler (Hechler), the founder of this
numerous family in America, came to this country from the
Fatherland prior to 1741, and settled in Exeter township, where he
became the owner of considerable land. In 1759 he was one of the
heaviest tax payers of the district, paying twenty-two pounds, and
he was considered a leading citizen of his locality.
Daniel Hechler, the grandfather of William F.,
was a cabinet-maker by trade, an occupation which he followed in
Exeter township, where he died at the age of eighty-seven years. He
married a Miss Ritter, who reached the age of seventy-three years,
the latter being buried in the Ritter cemetery in Exeter township,
and Mr. Hechler at Alsace Church. They had children as follows:
Elam, a hatter, settled in Reading; Amos; Laurence died in
Schuylkill county; Elizabeth died single; and Mrs. Joseph
Snyder.
Amos Hechler, father of William F., was born in
Exeter township, but as a young man removed to Penn township, where
he worked first at farm work, and later at blacksmithing. He also
learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for upward of
thirty years, then engaging in the saw mill business in Luzerne
county, Pa., and later at Reading. He next went to Caroline county,
Md., where he died in 1873. at the age of forty-eight years. Mr.
Hechler was married to Elizabeth Kissling, daughter of John and
Catherine (Spayd) Kissling, of Penn township. She died in Caroline
county, Md. at the age of forty-four years, seven weeks after the
death of her husband. Both are buried at Bern Church in Penn
township. Mr. and Mrs. Hechler had these children: William F.;
Leander m, M. H. Cohee, of Caroline county, Md., and died in 1875;
Charles W. is of Wilmington, Del.; and Rosanna m. Irwin D. Klopp,
of West Reading, Pennsylvania.
William F. Hechler attended the schools of Penn
township and his first work was on the farm, where he continued
until nineteen years of age. He then learned the cabinet-making
trade, which he followed for nine years, after which he took, up
carpentering, an occupation at which he was engaged for a like
period, after which he was for sixteen years employed at the old
West Reading Planing Mill. In 1902 Mr. Hechler engaged with
Schrader & Kline, of Penn street, working at cabinet making.
Mr. Hechler came to West Reading in 1889, and in 1895 built his
home at No. 516 Penn avenue. He is a Democrat in politics and has
become very prominent in public matters, for three years he served
as a member of the school board of Spring township, and while in
office, in 1899, assisted in building the large schoolhouse now
located in the borough of West Reading. On May 7, 1907, he was
elected to the council of West Reading, as one of the first members
of that body. He is a member of St. James Reformed Church of West
Reading, for three years served in the consistory, and for several
years was also a teacher in the Sunday-school. Fraternally he is
connected with the Royal Arcanum, the Brotherhood of America, and
the Sr. 0. U. A. M.
Mr. Hechler married Rebecca Rishel, daughter of
William and Maria (Wenrich) Rishel. To them there have been born
children as follows: Annie m. William H. Mattes; Evan W. m. Annie
Hunter; Paul H., of Coatesville, Pa., m. Annie Sunday; Rosie m.
Morris Wagner; Katie m. Edward Adams; William, single: Miss Sallie
and Adam, twins, of whom the latter died at the age of eight
months; and May Edna died when twenty-three days old.
p. 950
Surnames: HECHT, ZIEGLER, HELMUTH, SCHMIDT, SHUNK, SEBRING, HENRY,
GROSS, MILLER, KEMERER, COLLIER, YAEGER, COHEN, MCCARTNEY, REARDON,
DIEHL, RUTH, WILHELM, EVANS, DAVIS, BYERS, HAUG
One of the leading industries of Reading, Pa., is that of paint
manufacturing and in this connection may be mentioned the late
Edward C. Hecht, a prominent business man of the city, whose death
occurred Dec. 21, 1893. Mr. Hecht was born in January 1831, in
Easton, Pa., son of Rev. John Peter and Mary (Ziegler) Hecht.
"Rev. John Peter Hecht was born in Bucks county,
Pa., Feb. 28, 1790. Bereft of his father in infancy, he was taken
charge of by kind friends connected with the German Lutheran Church
in Philadelphia, who perceiving the germ that sparkled in the
little casket, began the process of development, with the view of
making a preacher out of him. So successful were they that at three
years of age he began to read, and the promise of a Bible, to be
all his own, if at the end of two more years he would read any
chapter that might be designated, operated as it was intended to
do, upon him, and the years that should have been spent in getting
his little hands and face dirty with mud pies and kindred
employments were passed in hard laborious study. He gained the
Bible and the applause of his admiring friends, but sealed his own
fate against any physical culture or mental rest. Forthwith began
uninterrupted schooling and drilling. At ten years of age he had
advanced in mathematics to surveying, and the boy of sixteen stood
up on Sabbath in the church, corner Fourth and Cherry streets, in
Philadelphia, to preach. Tremblingly he turned to his preceptors,
Drs. Helmuth and Schmidt, and said: "I cannot preach to-night."
Without a sign of the pity they felt for him, they both said: "you
must." Knowing that it would be useless to offer further
resistance, he stammered through a few sentences, but found his
fearfulness passing away as he proceeded, until towards the close
he was perfectly calm. He was well repaid when those who had
carefully watched him so many years, congratulated him and bade him
God-speed in his studies.
At eighteen years of age he had charge of two
congregations near the Trappe, Montgomery Co., Pa. His mother and
sister were to live with him, and having completed the arrangements
of the parsonage on the Saturday afternoon before his regular
services were to begin, these three were resting under the shade
trees in front of the house. Reluctantly the mother said, after
considerable anxiety about it: " Well, John, our house is now all
ready and very comfortable, but there is not a thing in the house
to eat." Without a moment's hesitation, her son answered: "Mother,
the Lord will provide."
But a few minutes afterwards a carriage was
before the gate and a man asked where the "new preacher" was. The
preacher approaching and announcing himself met with the
salutation: "Why you are only a boy." "Well," said the preacher, "
I can't help that; I was sent here, and I suppose I am the one you
mean." The man studied a minute, and then blurted out: "Well, well,
come Betsy. We want to be married, and if you are the new preacher,
why I guess you can marry us." The fee provided for them over their
first Sabbath. It was during his stay at the Trappe that he became
acquainted with the school teacher, Francis R. Shunk, and a
friendship formed between them that continued during life.
"From the Trappe he was called to Carlisle, Pa.
Here he became acquainted with Mary Ziegler of Harrisburg, Pa.,
whom he married, and in whom he had a faithful wife through all his
pastoral labors. Removing to Easton, Pa., with their infant
daughter, Eliza (later the wife of Judge W. L. Sebring), Mr. Hecht
commenced his labors in St. John's Lutheran and Reformed
congregations jointly owned and worshipped in the present Reformed
Church on North Third street. Did our space permit, a volume of
incidents and personals might be written, which would illustrate
the pains and pleasures of a thirty-year´s pastorate. Let
it suffice, for the present, to say that Mr. Hecht´s
labors were perhaps more severe than any other pastor in Easton has
even been called upon to perform. Preaching in German and English
three sermons each Sabbath, one German and one English lecture
during the week, and attending innumerable funerals, sometimes as
many as fifteen in a week, at all of which custom demanded a sermon
and regular service in the church. For many years St. James Church
in Phillipsburg, N. J., was attached to St. John's Easton. This
church is now under Rev. S. Henry's charge. "Mr. Hecht's reputation
as a scholar and pulpit orator induced many young men to place
themselves under his instruction during his earlier years. Among
these was the world´s greatest surgeon, Prof. Samuel D.
Gross, M. D., LL. D., D. C. L. Oxon. Rev. Joseph B. Gross, a
brother of the learned professor, was also a pupil of Mr. Hecht's.
He studied theology with him, was many years a faithful and
successful pastor, and is spending the declining years of his life
in writing and publishing the results of careful and sanctified
meditation upon the great truths of our holy religion. The Rev.
Henry S. Miller, one of his earlier disciples, still lives in
peaceful retirement at Phoenixville, Pa. "Some have fallen asleep"
who fed their minds from John P. Hecht's instructions, not however
before they had faithfully imparted to others that which they had
received. Among these were Rev. W. B. Kemerer, Rev. Richard Collier
and Rev. Nathan Yaeger.
"Mr. Hecht's interest in the public schools
induced him to accept the office of director, at a time when such a
position was by no means as popular as at present. The board at one
time elected him superintendent of the schools in the hope that
order might be brought out of confusion and want of system
prevailing. This, however, required too much of his time and
attention, and he had to resign. "During all these years the
records of the grand "old mother Synod" of Pennsylvania (Luther
Church) show that either as secretary or president, or chairman of
the talents and qualifications were in constant requisition, and
while in the Synod of New York, to which he appears to have been
frequently delegated, he was always received with distinguishing
marks of respect and esteem. "Notwithstanding all these duties, his
work among the poor, the sick and prisoners, received his most
cheerful attention. Often when he found that fear of contagion
deprived some one of proper care, Mr. Hecht became almost nurse and
physician to him, always manifesting the same faith in Diving
Providence for himself and his own numerous family that he
exhibited when as a boy (in years) he began his ministry. Busy "in
season and out of season" with his Master's work, he yet found time
for much study and research. He was especially fond of the
languages, and his Hebrew Bible, in the possession of his son, is a
monument of his diligence and patient toil. Rabbi Cohen, himself a
distinguished linguist, pronounced him the best Hebrew scholar he
ever knew. The late Hon. Washington McCartney and he would often
study their Latin and Greek together. He was completely "at home"
with the German, and his sermons and addresses in that language
often started the inquiry as to his fatherland. He was for some
time professor in German in Lafayette College. Of this institution
he was also a trustee.
"In the effort to summarize the business of
thirty-nine years, we are amazed at the magnitude and diversity of
labors performed by this man. And when it is remembered that not
one year of his life was given to the strengthening of his physical
being, but for over fifty years his mind and brains were on a
continued strain, the wonder is that the whole man did not give way
before. Loved and respected by his people, as well as the entire
community, many of whom he had married, whose bereaved hearts he
had comforted with the promises of a loving Saviour, whom he
baptized and laid his hands upon in confirmation, with the most
confiding nature in all mankind that anyone ever possessed, he
moved in a sort of home circle everywhere, with a kind word for
everyone, and receiving from all the affectionate tribute of love
and respect.
"As if jealous of such a peaceful relationship,
some evil spirit suddenly injected the question of party politics
into the congregation of St. John's, and is a very short time the
worst passions ruled, and the one quiet and contented became mad
and unreasonable. The shock that the pastor then experienced
utterly overcame him, and in May 1845, he resigned his charge. In
vain did his people beg of him to recall his resignation. Other and
more zealous counsels prevailed with him, and from his life of toil
and constant employment he fell into one of listless melancholy.
The "heart bowed down" he would gather his children about him on
the Sabbath and expound some portion of the Holy Word, when the old
familiar hymns would be sung, passers-by would stop to listen, and
at last asked permission to unite in these services. The doors
opened, the house was crowded with those who had not lost their
love for the enfeebled pastor. The young men made benches and
placed them where they could be distributed through the house, in
order to seat the throngs who came. At length it was proposed to
rent the Armory on Second street and hold services there. This Mr.
Hecht thought might look like an effort to form a new congregation.
Indeed it was already charged that such was his purpose, but very
unjustly. He decided that he would lecture on Sabbath afternoons to
a congregation of Christian worshippers, which was to be
independent of all denominations. Such services were held for a few
weeks, at which Mr. Hecht repeated some of the sermons he had
formerly delivered at St. John's and other churches. These
manuscripts are in the hands of his son, and are marked by the
author in a trembling hand. These services were very abruptly
brought to a close, however, when Mr. Hecht learned that they were
to be perverted from their original purpose. This closed his
attempts at a public ministry. The infirmities of a premature old
age were crowding fast upon him; the unwise course pursued with him
in his early live was bearing its bitter fruit now. The precocious
preacher, at the age when mind and body ought to be, and is when
properly educated, at its perfection, was a feeble, decrepit old
man, and to-day there are men who saw him in the last years of his
life, who can scarcely believe that he was but fifty-eight years
old. "In less than three years after his resignation of St. John's,
Mr. Hecht was taken away to "rest from his labors". The month of
January 1849, saw him wasting away very fast. Repeated attacks of
paralysis prevented distinct articulation, while his helpless body
relied upon kind hands that never wearied in administering to him.
His last night on earth, however, saw a remarkable change.
Awakening from what was feared was his death sleep; he asked to be
helped to his chair. His family gathered around and hung tenderly
upon his words, now to their surprise as clear as when he proudly
stood up before his audience to preach Christ crucified. Once again
he was permitted to testify for his Lord and Master, and for an
hour and a half, perhaps, he spoke to each one present in such
tender, loving words as only a pure, true Christian, and a tender,
loving father knows to utter. Many circumstances he recalled that
some of the family had forgotten, showing the complete return of
all his faculties, it may be, for the opportunity of confessing his
Saviour once more. Acknowledging his own sins, he had yet only joy
in the assurance that all were borne away by the sacrifice on
Calvary. With a final farewell and a loving message to three of his
daughters absent, he calmly asked to be helped to bed. Having
fallen into the last heavy sleep of the dying, one of his daughters
vainly attempted to arouse him. She had just reached his bedside,
and in her agony she declared that she wanted but a word of
recognition before he died. She whispered in his ear, "Jesus," and
instantly the heavy breathing ceased and raising his hands he said:
"O yes! I know Him and I love Him." Only this, and he at once
relapsed into the same comatose condition until he ceased to
breathe. This state lasted for several hours, and many kind friends
visited the chamber where their old pastor was dying. Chief among
the mourners was the Rev. Thomas Reardon, pastor of St. Bernard's
Catholic Church. He, too, wished to look once again in the face of
the man who had met him as a Christian brother, and when a stranger
in Easton had called upon and encouraged him. Mr. Reardon said, in
speaking of the death of his friend: "That solemn deathbed scene is
indelibly impressed on my memory. I retain a vivid recollection of
the sacred stillness of that supreme hour in which amidst the tears
and prayers of all the members of his numerous and most
affectionately attached family and a few steadfast and devoted
friends, he calmly yielded up his spirit to that Divine Master to
whose services he had consecrated the best years of his life, and
through whose atoning mercy he humbly hoped to be admitted to the
enjoyment of a blissful immortality."
"The funeral services were conducted by the Rev.
George Diehl, then pastor of Christ Lutheran Church. The body was
laid in St. John's graveyard, whence it was removed to the Easton
cemetery, then just begun. His widow, whose memory is enshrined in
the hearts of all the older members of community, died in 1858.
Their eleven children were: Eliza, Sophia, Louisa, Henrietta,
Caroline, Anna, Amanda, Emma, Matilda, Edward and Mary Z."
Edward C. Hecht was educated in the schools of
Easton, and at an early age entered the dry goods store of his
cousin, Mr. Gross, with whom he remained for some time, and then
returned to his home place and clerked in a dry goods store until
he engaged in the drug business, continuing therein for some years,
and then turning his attention to the manufacture of paint at
Easton, where he continued until 1881. He then came to Reading and
for four years was identified with A. Wilhelm in the same business.
From that time until his death, in company with B. Frank Ruth, he
conducted the Lehicton Paint Mills, located on the Bushkill Creek,
which furnished ample water-power for many factories in the
district. Their structure, a substantial three-story building, 30 x
50 feet, had a capacity of 1000 tons of paint annually, these being
of all varieties, colors and grades. The specialties of these mills
were the "French Parlor Paint," which became very popular on
account of its superior glossy appearance and snowy whiteness, and
a special paint used for railroad cars, made from the best mineral
colors. A fine article of coach and car "filling" was also
manufactured, this being for the purpose of filling the pores of
the wood, to create a high polish. In addition to these mills, Mr.
Hecht was the proprietor of a large talc or soapstone quarry,
covering about sixty-five acres. He was a shrewd and capable
business man, and any enterprise with which he was connected was
bound to prove successful. A consistent member of the Lutheran
Church, he was active in church work, and was a director of the
Lutheran cemetery at Gettysburg, Pa. In politics he was a
Republican, and while at Easton served as a notary. Fraternally he
was a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of Mt. Penn Council,
Royal Arcanum.
In 1855 Mr. Hecht married Matilda Evans,
daughter of Lewis and Margaret (Davis) Evans, and to them were born
these children: John P., M.D., of Summerville, N. J.; Leila, wife
of Joseph A. Byers, of Reading, Pa.; Herbert T., superintendent of
the Reading Iron Company´s mill at Danville, Pa.; Edward
C. of Massachusetts; and Mary Z., who married Charles W. Haug, and
has one child Charles Edward.
p.
1464
Surnames: HECKLER, MILLER, ADAMS, HIGH, SCHMEHL, MASSENO
Charles T. Heckler, late of Reading, was born June 29, 1872, in
West Reading, son of William A. and Emma (Miller) Heckler, and
grandson of Jacob Heckler.
Jacob Heckler was of Scottish descent. When a
young man he came to Berks county from Chester county, Pa. He had
learned the milling business, and upon locating to this locality he
opened the old Schwartz mill, near the Pennsylvania bridge on the
Schuylkill river. He operated the mill for several years, and later
removed to Spring township, where he operated a farm for some time,
dying in that township. His wife's maiden name was Adams. They were
the parents of the following children: Charles, Augustus, William
A., Henry, Anna, Thomas, and one that died in infancy. They were
members of the Reformed Church.
William A. Heckler was born in West Reading, but
received his education in the schools of Spring township. He
followed farming practically all his life, although in young
manhood he had learned the cigar-maker's trade. His farm was
located where Wyomissing is now situated. Mr. Heckler now lives
retired, looking after his valuable real estate interests. He and
his wife became the parents of four children, as follows: Cora M.,
married to Charles High, a coal dealer at Reading: Charles T.;
Laura; and Alice. Mrs. Heckler died in 1885, aged thirty-eight
years. The family belonged to the Reformed Church. Mr. Heckler is a
member of the K. G. E. In politics he is a Republican, and has held
minor offices.
Charles T.
Heckler was educated in the public schools in his native locality
and of Spring township, and also attended Brunner's Business
College and night school at Reading. He learned the machinist's
trade with Elias Schmehl, and followed it for five years. On May 6,
1896, he began the bicycle business on Fourth street, near Penn,
later removing to Penn near Seventh, and for seven years was at No.
222 Penn street, his late location. He was successful from the
start, and besides bicycles sold motor cycles, phonographs, gas
fixtures and mantles, and electrical goods. He handled the Reading,
Pierce, Columbia, Iver Johnson and Packer bicycles.
On Oct. 13, 1898, Mr. Heckler married Miss
Lizzie Masseno, daughter of William Masseno. Socially he was a
well-known Mason, holding membership in Reading Lodge, No. 549, F.
& A. M.; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M.; Reading
Commandery, No. 42, K. T.; Reading Lodge of Perfection; Reading
Consistory; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. In politics he was
a Republican, but never sought office. Mr. Heckler died Sept. 13,
1908, and was laid to rest in Charles Evans cemetery with Masonic
rites.
p. 1539
Surnames: HECKMAN, MASSER, HAMM, SCHMECK, SHADE, BETZ, NOLL,
WESSNER, REBER, DUNKEL, ALTHOUSE, MAUGER, RITTER, RAHN, GIFT,
FLICKER, SANDS, RUPPERT, EGOLF
Adam M. Heckman, a farmer in Douglass township, Berks county, was
born in Alsace township, this county, Jan. 11, 1861, son of Joseph
and Louisa (Masser) Heckman, and a descendant from a Hessian
soldier of King George's army.
(I) Johan George Heckman, the pioneer ancestor of the Heckman
family, was born Jan. 6, 1748, in Hessen Cassel, Germany, and came
to America during the Revolution as a soldier in King George's
army. After the war with many of his countrymen he settled in the
Alsatian hills in Alsace township, Berks county. He engaged in
farming three miles from Temple in Alsace township, and there owned
the farm later the property of his grandson Abraham. Here is
married a woman of foreign birth, Maria Magdelena Hamm, born Aug.
16, 1755, died July 6, 1832, who had accompanied her parents to
America when quite young, and for many years she lived in a Quaker
family. When she had grown to womanhood she adopted the Quaker
style of dress. Johan George Heckman was assessed in 1780 with 100
acres of land. In 1790 the Federal census reports him the head of a
family of thirteen children: Samuel (born Oct. 6, 1783, died Aug.
19, 1851), Peter (1777-1857, is buried at Zion's Church in Perry
township), George, Adam, John, Daniel, Jacob, William, Magdalena
(m. Henry Schmeck), Susanna (m. John Schmeck), Catherine (m. John
Shade), Elizabeth (m. Peter Betz) and Mrs. Nicholas Wagner.
(II) Daniel Heckman, son of Johan George, was born on his father's
farm in Alsace township Jan. 23, 1790, and died March 25, 1848. He
was a farmer and his son Abraham succeeded him in the ownership of
the home farm. Daniel Heckman and his wife were both Lutherans, and
are buried at Alsace church. She was, in her maidenhood, Esther
Noll, and was born in 1803, and died in 1890. They were the parents
of twelve children: Kate, m. to George Wessner; Abraham, deceased;
Joseph; Adam, 1830-1846; Charles, Sophia, m. to Levi Reber; Sarah,
m. to Solomon Dunkel; Mary, m. to Paris Althouse; Lucetta and
Rebecca, who died young; and two who died in infancy.
(III) Joseph Heckman, son of Daniel H., was born Nov. 8, 1827, in
Alsace township, and was reared to farming, an occupation he
followed until his retirement in 1907. He lived in Ontelaunee
township a number of years, and there in 1870, his wife, Louisa
Masser, died, and was buried at Alsace church. She was born in
1830. Their children were: Charles, who lives upon the homestead in
Earl; Adam M.; John; Daniel and Thomas, deceased; Emma, m. to
Daniel Ritter; Kate, m. to Jacob Mauger, Sarah, m. to Jacob Rahn;
Louisa, m. to Birt Gift; Ellen, m. to Nicholas Flicker; and
Angelina, who died small. In 1883 Joseph Heckman came to Earl
township, and bought a farm of 126 acres which he still owns, but
which is tenanted by his son Charles. He, himself, is well
preserved and active, and is found daily at work about his home.
(IV) Adam M. Heckman, son of Joseph, received his education in the
local schools at Blandon, Oley Line, Quaker Meeting and Berkley. He
worked for his father on the farm until he was twenty, when he was
employed at regular wages by his father, remaining there for two
years, after which he drove a milk route in Reading for one year.
In 1887 he located in Douglass township, where his first work was
driving a team at the stone quarry where he continued for nearly
two years. The next five years found him employed at the Glasgow
rolling mills, and one year more in a steel mill. During 1894 he
again drove a milk route in Reading, and in 1895 he began farming
in Douglass township, a vocation in which he has since continued.
He owns the J. Sands farm at the Montgomery county line consisting
of seventy-nine acres. The Colebrookdale railroad runs through his
place. The stone house was built about the time of the American
Revolution. He is industrious, and every thing about this place
betokens the careful and progressive farmer. In religious faith he
is a Lutheran and he and his family belong to Alsace Church in
Muhlenberg township.
In 1887, Mr. Heckman married (first) Clara
Ruppert, daughter of John Ruppert, and she died in the
twenty-second year of her age, leaving no children. He married
(second) Clara Egolf, daughter of Mahlon Egolf, a farmer of
Douglass, and three children have been born of this union: Sarah
M., Killian A. and Mary.
p. 1112
Surnames: HECKMAN, ALBRIGHT, HAMM, SCHMECK, SHADE, BETZ, WAGNER,
HEFFNER, HUEY, ROTHENBERGER, DEVSHER, SEIDEL, SCHMEHL, FIES,
ROTHERMEL, WANNER, HOCH, MILLER, OSMAN, NOLL, BERNHART, DEISHER,
BUSH, LUTZ, HARTMAN, WESSNER, REBER, DUNKEL, ALTHOUSE, STRICKER,
OLDT, LILLY, SHOEMAKER, BURNS, GULDIN, YEAGER, GERBER, HAFER,
ROEDER
Harry A. Heckman, who was the building inspector of the city of
Reading from 1902 to 1908, is of German-English ancestry. He was
born in Reading Jan. 12, 1857, son of Henry and Rebecca (Albright)
Heckman.
(I) Johann George Heckman, the pioneer ancestor of the Heckman
family, was born Jan. 6, 1748, in Hessen-Cassel, Germany, and came
to America during the Revolution as a soldier in King George's
army. After the close of the war, with others of his countrymen, he
settled in the Alsatian hills in Alsace township, Berks Co., Pa. He
became a farmer, his property lying three miles from Temple; it is
now owned by his grandson Abraham. In 1780 he was assessed with 100
acres of land. He married a woman of foreign birth, Maria Magdalena
Hamm, born Aug. 16, 1755, died July 6, 1832, who had accompanied
her parents to America when quite young. For many years she lived
in a Quaker family, and when she was grown to womanhood she adopted
the Quaker style of dress. In 1790 the Federal census reports
Johann George Heckman the head of a family of thirteen children:
George; Peter, 1777-1857, is buried at Zion's Church in Perry
township; Samuel, born Oct. 6, 1783, died Aug. 19, 1851; John;
Adam; Daniel; Jacob; William; Magdalena m. Henry Schmeck; Susanna
m. John Schmeck; Catharine m. John Shade; Elizabeth m. Peter Betz;
and Mrs. Nicholas Wagner. The father of these children died March
22, 1835.
(II) Adam Heckman, son of Johann George, born July 29, 1789,
married, July 30, 1815, Catharine Heffner, and they lived on their
farm above Temple. Their children were: William m. Angelina Huey;
Adam, born May 15, 1823, died March 31, 1863, m. Isabella
Rothenberger (1830-1904); Jacob m. Abbie Devsher; John m. Susan
Seidel; George m. Kittie Seidel; Elizabeth (Schmehl); Catharine
(Fies); Hannah (Schmeck); and Lena (Rothermel). Adam Heckman died
Dec. 16, 1863. At the time of his death he had forty-five
grandchildren.
(II) George Heckman, son of Johann George, was a tanner. He is
buried in the Dunkards' graveyard at Pricetown, Pa. His wife was
Esther Wanner, and they were the parents of children as follows:
(1) Peter moved to Ohio. He had a son who became colonel in the
Union army during the Civil war, and was killed at the battle of
Gettysburg, where a monument was erected to his memory. (2) George
(1803-1891) located in Minersville, Schuylkill county, where both
he and his wife died. He married Sophia Hoch, daughter of Daniel
Hoch, of Berks county, and she died in 1894, aged eighty-six years,
after a married life of sixty-two years. They had six children:
Daniel H., born at Pricetown, Feb. 12, 1831, who accompanied his
parents in 1846 to Minersville, where he has become a wealthy
tobacconist (he m. Magdalena Miller, of Berks county, and has two
children, Willard T. and Susan E.); Susanna, who died in infancy;
Amelia (Osman); George W., a merchant at Minersville; Sally Ann and
Elizabeth Catherine, who both died young. (3) Aaron died in
Pricetown. (4) Esther married Daniel Miller.
(II) John (Johannes) Heckman, son of George, was born on the
homestead in Alsace township, March 21, 1787, and died at the old
homestead in Frush valley, April 23, 1859, aged seventy-two years,
one month two days. By trade he was a carpenter, and this he
followed in connection with farming in Alsace township. He owned a
forty-acre farm in Frush Valley. He married Magdalena Noll, who was
born Sept. 17, 1795, and died Dec. 15, 1886, aged ninety-one years,
two months, twenty-eight days, and was buried in the Heckman lot in
the cemetery at Alsace Church. Mr. Heckman was first buried in the
old Alsace graveyard, and later removed to the lot of Henry Heckman
at Alsace church, of which the family were Lutheran members. Of the
fourteen children born to John and Magdalena Heckman, four died
young. The other were: Henry is mentioned below; Nicholas died in
infancy; Nicholas (2) m. Hannah Bernhart, and died at Pricetown
March 11, 1904, in his eighty-second year, (was born in 1822).
Magdalena m. Samuel Rothenberger; Samuel m. Elizabeth Deisher, died
at Philadelphia, and is buried at Allentown; Francis m. Lucy Bush,
of Pricetown, and is now (1909) seventy-eight years old, living at
Pricetown; Lewis m. Susan Lutz, and died in Frush Valley; Amelia m.
Amos Schmeck; Sarah m. Francis Hartman; and Catharine died young.
All, including the respective husbands and wives, are deceased,
with the exception of Francis and Amelia.
(II) Daniel Heckman, son of Johann George, was born Jan. 23, 1790,
and lived on a farm in Alsace (now Muhlenberg) township, adjoining
that of his brother Adam. He married Hettie (Esther) Noll (sister
to Magdalena, wife of his brother Johannes), and they had twelve
children: Catharine, or Kate, m. to George Wessner; Abraham,
deceased; Joseph; Adam, 1830-1846; Charles; Sophia, m. to Levi
Reber; Sarah, m. to Solomon Dunkel; Mary m. to Paris Althouse;
Lucetta and Rebecca, who died small; and two who died in infancy.
(II) Jacob Heckman, son of Johann George, was born in Alsace
township, and prior to 1808 settled in Windsor township, Berks
county. He died during the Civil war, at the age of eighty-four
years. He was a stone mason and farmer, and left a large estate to
his family. He married a Miss Stricker, and their children were:
Samuel, Daniel, Benjamin, Adam S., John, Isaac, Jared, Elias,
Charles, Polly (m. Charles Oldt), Kate (m. Charles Wessner),
Susanna (m. Aaron Miller), Sarah (m. John Lilly, of Union county).
All are deceased.
(III) Henry Heckman, son of
John and Magdalena (Noll), was born Aug. 16, 1820. He was one of
the leading and active contractors and builders for a period of
over thirty-five years, having erected some of the best buildings
in the city, whose architecture differed not widely from that of
the present day, more particularly in the construction of
high-class residences. He ranked among the best builders of the
city. He led a retired life for over thirty years, and died Sept.
16, 1905, aged eighty-five years, one month, ten days. He married
Rebecca Albright, who was born Jan. 26, 1824, daughter of George
and Catharine (Burns) Albright. The father was born in Germany July
14, 1795, and died in his fifty-ninth year. Mrs. Catharine (Burns)
Albright, born Dec. 10, 1798, daughter of Richard Burns, a native
of Scotland, died in her thirty-third year. To Henry and Rebecca
(Albright) Heckman were born eight children: Daniel A., born April
29, 1844, is a foreman in the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
Company's service; George A., born Aug. 22, 1845, is a real estate
dealer; Rebecca A., born June 7, 1847, died July 6, 1850, aged
three years and twenty-nine days; Amanda A. was born Dec. 28, 1850;
Susan A., born Oct. 21, 1852, died Dec. 28, 1856, aged four years,
two months; Harry A. was born Jan. 12, 1857; Catharine A., born
March 8, 1860, died Oct. 19, 1861; Alice A. was born May 16, 1865.
(IV) Harry A. Heckman was educated in the high schools of Reading.
At the age of seventeen he entered his father's employ, and served
a four years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's and builder's
trade. In those days much of the work was done by hand, and the
young man received the old-time thorough training in every detail,
thus perfecting himself for a most successful career. When the
father retired, Mr. Heckman entered the employ of the Philadelphia
& Reading Railway Company, and spent seven years, working in
every department, in both the building of rolling stock and in the
erection of different buildings, for the company. At the end of
that time he engaged in house carpentering, his original
occupation, and then for twelve years carried on the contracting
and building business, winning a high reputation for honest and
efficient work in the hundreds of buildings he erected in Reading.
At the February election of 1891 Mr. Heckman was
elected a member of the Reading school board from the Ninth ward,
and during his term of office there were two schoolhouses built in
the upper section of the ward, where persistent efforts had been
made to get school facilities for almost twenty years. This was due
largely to the untiring work and interest of Mr. Heckman, who
served on some of the most important committees, and was chairman
of the building committee for a number of years. In May, 1899, he
resigned, moving into the Eighth ward, where he spent five years,
and then moved into the Sixteenth ward, where with Cyrus Q. Guldin
he erected their beautiful homes at Sixteenth and Mineral Spring
Road, Mr. Heckman now living at No. 1604.
In 1902, when the Hon. Edward Yeager, mayor of
Reading, wished to appoint a building inspector whose knowledge of
the builder's art would lend weight to his inspections and insure
the elevation of the office to the useful plane it was intended to
occupy, he chose Mr. Heckman, and that his choice was justified by
results was shown at the end of the three years' term, when the
Hon. Edward R. Gerber, succeeding to the office of mayor,
re-appointed Mr. Heckman, to the very great satisfaction of the
public. Mr. Heckman as building inspector introduced a number of
reforms and advanced the dignity of the office. During his career,
one of great importance, came the investigating of the different
opera houses and public buildings and halls after the destruction
of the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago, and the revising of the
building ordinance. All this was additional work entailed upon the
office. In the year 1905 there were 1,094 buildings erected--the
highest record ever made in the history of Reading for one year's
building operations. Mr. Heckman after his induction into office
brought such a standard of excellence into this department that it
is not only one of the most important, but one of the most
systematic. It has become a bureau of general information, and is,
indeed, now able to bear the burden of being directly responsible
for the safety of the people so far as the construction of
buildings is concerned.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Heckman has
been prominently identified with the order of Odd Fellowship, of
which he has made a deep study. He is also connected with a number
of other secret institutions. He was one of the founders of the
Philomathean Literary Society, a prominent organization in its day.
He is also a member of the Board of Trade and is active in
Sunday-school and church work, having served as a vestryman of
Trinity Lutheran Church for a number of years, for a long time was
a teacher in the Sunday-school, and at present is one of the
librarians.
Mr. Heckman has been very prominently identified
in the adjusting and appraising of fire losses for the last
twenty-five years and has settled the bulk of losses on the most
important buildings in the city damaged by fire in years gone by,
up to the present time, his ripe experience having made his
services to be felt with the middle department of the underwriters
association and the assured throughout the whole State of
Pennsylvania.
On Dec. 30, 1879, Mr. Heckman was united in
marriage with Hannah E. Hafer, daughter of the late Daniel H.
Hafer, who formerly was a hat manufacturer in this city. Mrs.
Heckman is a graduate of Reading high school, class of 1878. Seven
sons have blessed this union: William Burns died in infancy; Daniel
Warren was born July 4, 1882; Edwin Walter died in infancy; Harry
Raymond was born Dec. 11, 1886; Herbert Russell, born Nov. 5, 1889,
a graduate of the high school, class of 1909, is preparing himself
for the profession of civil engineer; George Albright was born Aug.
19, 1893, and Stewart Dale on May 3, 1896.
(V) Daniel Warren Heckman, son of Harry A., attended the Reading
schools until he was sixteen years of age, when he accepted a
position with the Reading Cycle Company, with whom he remained
nearly a year. He then spent nearly five years as a salesman for
Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart, and three years more as a clerk for
the Maurice E. Roeder Transfer Company. He took a course in
bookkeeping at Stoner's Interstate Commercial College and for three
years studied in the night high school. Having always been fond of
music, for five years, 1894 to 1899, he was a member of the Christ
Episcopal Church choir, and at present is a member of Trinity
Lutheran Church choir. In 1906-07 he took a course in pianoforte
and pipe organ tuning with the New England Conservatory of Music,
Boston, Mass., and graduated therefrom June 26, 1907. He is a
present engaged in the pianoforte and organ tuning business, with
his office at No. 1604 Mineral Spring Road, Reading. He is also
chorister of the Hinnershitz Union Church choir, Tuckerton, Pa. On
April 8, 1900, he became a communicant member of Trinity Lutheran
Church, and is active in its work, is president of the Luther
League, and teacher in the Sunday-school; and he is treasurer of
Trinity Lutheran Beneficial Brotherhood.
(V) Harry Raymond Heckman, son of Harry A., graduated from the
Reading high school in the class of 1905, and then entered the
office of Scholl & Maurer, architects. He conducted his
father's business when the latter was engaged in his duties as
building inspector, and the business is now carried on under the
name of H. Raymond Heckman & Co., architects and builders, the
father again connecting himself with the business. The office is at
room 508, Baer building. H. Raymond Heckman designed and
superintended the work of the beautiful homes at the southeast
corner of Sixteenth street and Mineral Spring Road erected by
Messrs. Heckman and Guldin, the design being so different from
others erected in Reading.
p.
1019
Surnames: HECKMAN, WHEELER, STRICKER, SEIDEL, HEIM, MERVINE, URFER,
REBER, WAGNER, MACHEMER, EPTING, DIETRICH, MOSER
Jeremiah W. Heckman, one of the leading manufacturers of Perry
township, whose business is established at Shoemakersville, was
born in that village, Jan. 14, 1860, son of Adam S. and Matilda
(Wheeler) Heckman.
Adam S. Heckman was born in Tilden township in
1838, son of Jacob Heckman and wife (whose maiden name was
Stricker), and engaged in carpentering in his native township all
of his life. He married Matilda Wheeler, born in 1840, in Windsor
(now Perry) township, daughter of Henry Wheeler. Seven children
were born to this union: Jeremiah W.; Mary is unmarried; Emma m.
James F. Seidel; Ida m. William Heim; Milton m. Susan Mervine;
Sallie m. Allen Urfer; Howard m. Lizzie Reber.
Jeremiah W. Heckman learned the trade of
carpenter with his father and carried on building operations in the
vicinity of his native town until 1900, in which latter year he
formed a co-partnership with Aaron S. Wagner, of the same village,
for the manufacture of seamless hosiery. The firm started with
twenty-four hands, but business so increased that they were
compelled to employ thirty-five, their production being 200 dozen
daily.
Shipments from this plant, which is one of the
most active industries of Shoemakersville, are made directly to all
parts of the country, where the product finds a ready market. The
partnership was dissolved April 1, 1907, Mr. Heckman buying out his
partner's interest, and he has since carried on the business alone.
In 1886 Mr. Heckman married (first) Emma
Machemer, daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Epting) Machemer, and
she died in 1889, leaving one son, Harvey M. In 1891 Mr. Heckman m.
(second) Emma Dietrich, daughter of Levi F. and Louisa (Moser)
Dietrich, prominent farming people of Centre township, Mr. Dietrich
having been for some time prothonotary of the county. To Mr.
Heckman's second marriage there were born four children: Ira D.;
William H.; Charles Adam, and Walter Leroy, the last named dying in
infancy.
In 1899 Mr. Heckman served as assessor of the
township, but resigned the office in 1900, on starting the hosiery
mill. In 1905 he was elected a school director, and he is still
serving in this term, acting as secretary of the board. Mr. Heckman
is a deacon of the Shoemakersville Lutheran Church, having served
in that office for nine years. He is fraternally affiliated with
the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Modern Woodmen of America.
p. 1019
Surnames: HECKMAN, USEMER, STRICKER, OLDT, WESSNER, MILLER, LILLY,
MOYER, KEIM, MARTIN, PETERS, LEWARS, STRASSER, REBER, RICKENBACH,
HINNERSHITZ, KUNKEL
Monroe Heckman, who resides on a beautiful and well located farm of
ninety acres on the Pike north of Shoemakersville, Perry township,
is a highly respected citizen of the county, and an honored veteran
of the great Civil war. He was born Feb. 19, 1840, in Windsor
township, Berks county, son of John and Rachel (Usemer) Heckman.
Jacob Heckman, son of George, was a farmer of
Windsor township, although a stone mason by trade, an occupation
which he followed for many years. He died during the Civil war at
the ripe age of eighty-four years. He and his wife, whose maiden
name was Stricker, had children as follows: Samuel, Daniel,
Benjamin, Adam S., John, Isaac, Jared, Elias, Charles, Polly (m.
Charles Oldt), Mrs. Charles Wessner, Susannah (m. Aaron Miller) and
Mrs. John Lilly (of Union county, Pennsylvania).
John Heckman, father of Monroe, was born in
1810, and died in 1880. He was an excellent mechanic and followed
the trade of stone mason and brick layer in Perry township for many
years. He married Rebecca Usemer, of New Holland, Lancaster county,
who bore him the following children: Monroe; Maberry is unmarried;
Matilda m. Benjamin Moyer; Joel m. (first) Malinda Keim, and
(Second) Alice Martin; Caroline m. Charles Peters; Morgan m. Lizzie
Lewars; Franklin m. Esther Strasser; and Mary and Susan died of
scarlet fever, the former in 1863, and the latter in the year
following.
Monroe Heckman obtained a good education in the
local schools, which he left at the age of nineteen years to learn
the trade of shoemaker. He also followed boating for three years on
the Schuylkill canal when a young man. The outbreak of the Civil
war fired Mr. Heckman's patriotism, and Aug. 9, 1861 he enlisted in
Company A, 48th Pa. V. I., being promoted to corporal in the fall
of 1863 and one year later to the rank of sergeant. He served until
the close of the war, being mustered out July 17, 1865. His
regiment participated in the engagements of Newbern, N. C.; Second
Bull Run; Chantilly; South Mountain, Md.; Antietam; Fredericksburg;
siege of Knoxville, Tenn.; Wilderness, Va.; Spottsylvania; Shady
Grove Church; Cold Harbor, and Petersburg from June 16th until the
surrender of General Lee. Mr. Heckman assisted in the excavation of
the Petersburg mine. His regiment encamped at Fort Hell during the
winter months of 1864-1865, and followed the retreating Confederate
army to Appomattox, where General Lee surrendered. They went thence
to Alexandria, Va., and later participated in the great review at
Washington, D. C., Mr. Heckman being honorably discharged with his
regiment July 17, 1865. He served his country faithfully and well
from the outbreak of the great struggle until its close. Few
exhibited greater courage while in the service, although his
modesty has kept him from exploiting his adventures. He is content
with the consciousness of having performed his duty faithfully,
courageously and well not only to his country, but to his God and
his fellow-citizens.
In 1865 Mr. Heckman returned to the boating
business, and this he followed until 1877, when he located in
Shoemakersville, there residing for eight years, during which time
he erected a nice residence, this later being sold to the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. His next purchase was the Charles
Heckman farm, one mile north of Shoemakersville, where he lived for
thirteen years, but in 1898 he bought his present farm on the Pike
north of Shoemakersville, the Dr. M. S. Reber farm, consisting of
ninety acres of fine land, which he has brought to an excellent
state of cultivation and on which he has resided to the present
time. He has four horses and ten head of cattle, all blooded stock.
On Nov. 9, 1874, Mr. Heckman was married to
Alice M. Rickenbach, daughter of James and Eliza (Hinnershitz)
Rickenbach. To this union there have been born children as follows:
Lizzie A., deceased, wife of J. Lewis Kunkel; Samuel W., deceased;
Laura M., wife of Calvin Miller; Lena R., a dressmaker of
Shoemakersville; Robert B., a rural letter carrier; Annie, who died
in infancy; Charles N., Curtin A., James M., Katie I., Edna May,
and Guy R., the last six named residing at home.
p.
1614
Surnames: HECKMAN, RAMBO, MORINGER, KLINE, GABLE, MILHOFF, MILLER,
MIESSE, LEASE, MATLZBERGER, ORTH
William A Heckman, engaged in the plumbing business since 1873, was
born at Reading June 24, 1840. He attended the public schools until
he was fifteen years old, and then learned the trade of plumbing,
gas-fitting and steam-fitting under Francis Rambo who had been
engaged in the business for many years; and he continued in the
employ of Mr. Rambo fourteen years, until 1873, when he engaged in
this business with William Moringer as a partner locating their
shop on the site of the Penn National Bank. In one year, however,
Mr. Heckman purchased his partner's interest and then formed a
partnership with Mr. Rambo, and they carried on business under the
firm name of Rambo & Heckman for ten years. He then embarked in
business for himself at No. 16 North Eighth street and here he has
continued, actively and successfully engaged, until the present
time. He started with a few hands but for some years past has had
in his constant employ from twenty to thirty skilled workmen. He
secures large contracts in building operations at Reading, and his
trade extends into all parts of Berks, and the surrounding
counties. Mr. Heckman is a Free-Mason in Reading Lodge, No. 549;
also a member of Excelsior Chapter, Reading Commandery, and the
Mystic Shrine. He was advanced to the 32 in the Philadelphia
Consistory.
Mr. Heckman had been married twice, first to
Emma Kline (daughter of Abraham Kline, a prominent brick
manufacturer at Reading for many years), by whom he had seven
children: George A. (married Ida Gable); Anna E. (married Edward
Milhoff); Charles (who died at the age of twenty-four years); Emma
Minerva (married George Miller); Clarence Wilfred (married Mary
Miesse); and two died young. His first wife having died, he married
Amanda Lease (daughter of John Lease farmer and carpenter of Oley),
by whom he has three children: Mary, Howard, and Paul R. His sons
George and Clarence are the managers of the plumbing establishment.
His father was George Heckman of Reading, who
learned the trade of hatter which he followed several years and
then secured employment on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad,
where he was killed in a railroad accident in 1843 when but
twenty-seven years old. He was married to Mary Maltzberger,
daughter of George Maltzberger of Reading, by whom he had two
children: William A. and Emma (married Charles Orth of Reading).
George Maltzberger was a prominent bricklayer
and mason of Reading for many years, having been the master-mason
in the erection of the Court-House, 1838-40. His grandfather was
Abraham Heckman, a farmer of Chester county, in North Coventry
township, opposite Pottstown.