Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p. 1647
Surnames: HEIN, WESSNER, SMITH, MENGEL, STRAUSSER, SCHAPPELL,
STIZEL
James H. Hein. This enterprising young agriculturist of Berks
county, Pa., who is extensively engaged in cultivating the soil of
Mengels Dale. Perry township, was born Feb. 8, 1881 in Windsor
township, son of Francis and Lydia (Wessner) Hein.
Jesse Hem, grandfather of James H., was a
shoemaker by trade, and was reared in Albany township, but later
removed to Windsor township, living in the vicinity of St. Paul's
Church, of which he was a member. He married a Miss Smith, and they
were the parents of twelve children Francis Hein, father of James
H., was a tenant farmer in Greenwich township, and for many years
lived in the neighborhood of Klinesville, Berks county. He married
Lydia Wessner, and to this union were born children as follows:
Agnes, William. Albert, James, Cora, Annie, Oscar, Lydia , and
Gertie.
James H. Hein received his education in the
common schools of Perry township, which he attended until seventeen
years of age, and was reared on the farm, at the age of twenty-one
years learning the blacksmith trade from his brother Albert of
Lenhartsville, Pa., for whom he worked two years. After marriage he
located on the present farm of 196 acres received by his wife as an
inheritance, and here has continued successfully to the present
time. The land is fertile and well cultivated and is improved with
good substantial buildings. Mr. Hein is honest and industrious, and
is considered one of the representative young farmers of Perry
township. He and his wife attend Zion's Reformed Church.
Mr. Hein married October 22, 1904, Miss Mary M.
Mengel, daughter of James and Harriet (Strausser) Mengel, and to
this union one daughter has been born,-Mabel Harriet. Mrs. Hein was
one of a family of five children, the others being: Lessouri. who
died in infancy; Marguerite, who married Sassaman Schappell;
Violetta, the wife of James Stitzel, and Miss Minnie I., who lives
with her sister, Mrs. Hein.
p. 869
Surnames: HEINE, LUTZ, TYSON, KERNER, GERARD, DIEFFENBACH, KLOS,
FINK, WACHTER, HAGGE, SIGWARD, STROBEL, GAGES, TURNER, STEINEL
Gregory Heine, a well known and venerable citizen of Mount Penn
borough, Berks county, was born not far from the ancient Republic
of Switzerland, Feb. 27,1825, and reared among the liberty-loving
inhabitants of the historic Black Forest, in the south of Baden,
near the source of the picturesque Danube river, in the hamlet of
Tannheim.
According to the laws of the Fatherland, Mr.
Heine attended school for eight years, and when seventeen years of
age learned the blacksmith's trade. While working at this
occupation in 1845, he was drawn in the usual annual draft of
recruits for the regular army of the South German Confederation,
and was mustered into service April 1, 1846. Tyranny and oppression
bore hard on the people of Baden, but soon the spirit of liberty
went abroad, inspiring them to rise and battle for freedom,
equality and unity, and in the spring of 1849 Gregory Heine, with
thousands of others, became a "soldier of freedom." The regular
army was abandoned and the "Freie-Schaaren" (Liberty's Legions)
were recruited and drilled. Gregory Heine was one of the recruiting
officers, and was elected captain of a company of 219 men, and the
war against the Gross Herzog of Baden was on. Royalty, however,
crushed Liberty for a time, and so, like Hecker, Sigel, Schurz and
other champions of freedom, Mr. Heine, too, sought liberty on
American soil.
Mr. Heine first located at Lancaster, and later
in Dauphin county, where he followed blacksmithing until 1850, in
which year he removed to Reading, and in this city he and his
father resided. After coming to Berks county he continued at
blacksmithing at Eckert's Henry Clay furnaces, then at the old
Reading Railroad shops, and for a short time in his own shop until
1858. He then conducted the "Neversink House," one of the oldest
hotels in the State, built in 1768 and kept as a hotel during the
Revolution by Colonel Lutz. From 1863 to 1870 he was engaged in the
manufacture of tombstones, and general marble work, doing an
extensive and successful business. In 1865 he purchased the Dr.
Tyson tract of nineteen acres, just beyond the "Old Toll Gate" in
the eastern suburbs of Reading, extending along the Perkiomen pike
into Alsace township, which he farmed carefully and brought into a
remunerative state of cultivation. In 1903 he laid out a portion of
this farm into building lots, of which he has since sold a large
number, but still conducts a small, attractive farm, of pleasant
location, where he raises considerable fruit. His vineyard yields
well, and his vines are known throughout the township for their
excellence. For many years, beginning with 1851, Mr. Heine was
prominently identified with successful building and savings
associations, as president and director, all of which were
successfully conducted for the members.
Mr. Heine is a successful, progressive and
public-spirited citizen. and during his residence in Reading did
much towards the material benefit of that city. He sub-contracted
the digging of fully 150 cellars, also erecting numerous dwellings,
and his thrift and progressive ideas have accumulated for him a
comfortable fortune. In politics he is an uncompromising Democrat,
has been delegate to various Democratic conventions, serving on the
Democratic standing committee, and a member of the Democratic City
Association. In 1868 he was elected a common councilman of the
Second ward, and served in that office until 1876. with the
exception of one term. He was an active and conscientious member of
that executive body, and faithfully guarded the tax-payers'
interests, being an incorruptible official, able to withstand any
evil influences which might be brought to bear upon him. In 1884 he
became a candidate for the nomination of county treasurer, but
after making several attempts to secure the nomination,
relinquished his efforts as he felt that his religion was against
him. He and his family are Roman Catholics, belonging to St. Paul's
Church, Reading.
On July 14, 1851, Mr. Heine was married to
Balbina Kerner, born at the same place as her husband in the
Fatherland, and on July 14. 1901, they celebrated their Golden
Wedding at their residence, No. 1924 Perkiomen avenue. High Mass
was solemnized at St. Paul's Church at 7 :30 a. m., when the couple
renewed their marriage vows in the presence of many relatives and
friends. The children all partook of communion, and special music
was furnished for the occasion. The balance of this memorable day
was spent at the residence, where guests from Reading and other
places were in attendance, and the gifts to this aged couple were
beautiful and costly. Mrs. Heine passed away Nov. 21, 1905. aged
seventy-two years, six months, twenty-two days, and Mr. Heine's
daughters, Josephine and Ida, now manage the home. To Mr. and Mrs.
Gregory Heine were born these children: John C. K., an attorney of
New York, who married Mary Gerard; Rosa, who married George
Dieffenbach, of Reading; Josephine; Joseph A., a contractor and
builder of Reading. who married Rosa KIos, and has two
children-Leon and Karl; Clara, who married John P. Fink, of
Reading; Amelia. at home; Philip, a carpenter and hotel proprietor
at Frackville, Pa., who married Agnes Wachter; Catharine; and Ida.
who married John A. Hagge, has a daughter, Catharine, and lives
with Mr. Heine.
The Heine family was established in Baden by the
grandfather of Gregory Heine, who came from Westphalia, Germany. He
was a tailor by trade, married, and had a family, among whom was
Philip Heine, the father of Gregory. Philip Heine came to America
in 1850, and lived and died in Reading with his son, Gregory. In
the Fatherland he had been a farmer. He married Maria Sigward, and
to them were born three sons and one daughter, namely: Joseph, of
Reading, who married Maria Strobel, arid had four children, Susan,
Floraian, John, and Jacob; Kungunda, who married A. M. Gages, of
Germany, in which country they resided, and had one son, Gregory;
and Philip, of Reading. who married (first) Amalia Turner, and
(second) Krysante Steinel, and had children. Mena, Frank (who is
now clerk of the Board of Health, Reading), Otto, Edward, and two
daughters who were married in New York, where they now reside.
p. 1508
Surnames: HEINE
S, Julia Heine is the proprietress of the Turkish Baths in the
Colonial Building, Reading, Pennsylvania.
p. 531
Surnames: HEINLY, MAGUIRE
David L. Heinly, who, with his son, John E., is
doing business under the name of the Reading Engraving Company, at
Reading, Pa., is a prominent and influential business man of that
city, He was born on the old homestead farm, near Virginville Berks
county, Jan 31, 1836, son of George, and grandson of John George
Heinly.
David L. Heinly was educated in the public
schools, and then engaged in a general store business at South
Evansville from 1858 to 1867, and then went to Hamburg, where he
conducted a similar establishment for four years. He then engaged
in the hardware business, with his brother William, for eight
years, the next four years traveled for the Bard Reber Hardware
Co., Reading, and the following eighteen years for the
Seltzer-Klahr Hdw. Co., of Philadelphia. He then engaged in the
engraving business with his son, John E., as the Reading Engraving
Company, at No. 604 Court street, and this venture, has proved a
great success. Mr. Heinly belongs to St. Luke's Lutheran Church. In
politics he is a Democrat, was a school director at Evansville and
a councilman at Hamburg.
David L. Heinly belongs to the Masons, having
joined that Order in 1869. He has been a member of the Blue Lodge
since that time, and has been a Knight Templar since 1886. He is
also connected with the Odd Fellows, having joined that order in
1870. The Heinly family has an association and holds annual
reunions, the last few having been held at Kutztown Park. David L.
Heinly is president of the association, which numbers from 500 to
600 people, and one of his sons, Harvey F. Heinly, a sketch of whom
will be found elsewhere in this volume, is secretary.
John E, Heinly, his father's partner in the
engraving business, was born July 8, 1867, at Hamburg. and was
educated in the public schools. He learned the trade of engraver
and worked at this occupation for some years in New York. starting
in that business at Reading in 1890. Mr. Heinly was married May 23,
1895, to Bess Maguire, daughter of William Maguire, deceased, of
Reading, and four children have been born to this union: Martha,
Katheryn, Marian and David, the first two named at school. Mr.
Heinly belongs to St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Like his father he is
a Democrat.
p 1230
Surnames: HEINLY, HOCH, DREIBELBIS, FEGLEY, ADAM, DIETRICH, FINK,
GEORG, STEINBRUCH, SONDAY
Enoch J. Heinly, the well-known miller and farmer on the Sacony
Creek, about three fourths of a mile northeast of Virginville, in
Greenwich township, was born Nov. 15. 1848, on this place, son of
Samuel and Mary (Dreibelbis) Heinly.
David Heinly, the great-grandfather of Enoch J.,
was born in the Fatherland, Oct. 17, 1728, and when about
twenty-one years of age he and his brother, Matthew, emigrated to
the New World. Soon after his coming to America, he apparently
settled in Greenwich township, where many of his descendants live
to this day. He died Oct. 3, 1784, at the age of fifty-six years,
leaving two sons: J. George, born June 15, 1758, who died Aug. 27,
1840; and David.
David Heinly, son of David, was born June 27,
1765, and died May 26, 1825. He was a prominent man of his day and
a soldier of the War of 1812, doing service at York. His children
were: Captain George, 1796-1869; Jacob D., 1798-1875; David,
1799-1863; Catherine, 1803-1869, m Nathan Hoch; John D., 1805-1880;
and Samuel.
Samuel Heinly, father of Enoch J., was born Aug.
6, 1808, and died Feb. 21, 1884. In 1863 he and his brother George
built Heinly's mill on the Sacony, and profitably operated it in
partnership until 1866, when Samuel bought his brother's interest
and continued the business until the time of his death. He was
possessed of considerable property and was prominently identified
with the success of his community. He was well and favorably known
and he and his family were leading members of the Dunkel's Church
in. Greenwich township, of which he served as an official member
for many years. He married Mary Dreibelbis, daughter of Jacob
Dreibelbis, and to them were born children as follows: Maria, July
19, 1837, who died July 17, 1902, m. David L. Heinly, of Reading,
Pa.; Florenda, Aug. 13, 1838, died Jan. 22, 1869; Catherine, Feb.
6, 1840, m; Samuel Fegley; Esther, Feb. 27, 1841, m. John W. Adam;
Amelia, Oct. 18, 1841, m. Henry W. Dietrich; Enoch J.; and Theresa,
Oct. 18, 1852, m. Alfred Fink.
Enoch J. Heinly was reared on his father's farm,
and obtained a liberal education in the schools of his district and
at the Freeland Seminary, at Collegeville, Montgomery Co., Pa. He
has owned and successfully operated Heinly's mill since 1903,
having purchased it from the estate of Samuel Fegley, who had
operated it since 1885. The mill is a well known landmark. He also
owns the Heinly homestead, which lies in the southeastern end of
Greenwich township along the famous and historical Sacony creek and
consists of 108 acres of the most fertile and productive soil of
the township. It is a valuable property, having large, modern,
substantial buildings, and the latest improved machinery. Mr.
Heinly is a heavy tax payer of the township and a man of influence
and public spirit. He and his family are members of the New
Jerusalem (Dunkel's) Church, being of the Lutheran denomination. He
served his church as elder for many years, and has been a liberal
supporter. He is a kindly, Christian gentleman, and has many
friends in his community, who recognize and appreciate his many
sterling traits of character.
Mr. Heinly was married May 19, 1872, to
Catherine A. Dietrich, daughter of George B. and Magdalena (Heinly)
Dietrich, granddaughter of Johann Christian and Elizabeth (Georg)
Dietrich, and great-granddaughter of Adam and Maria Magdalena
(Steinbruch) Dietrich, who in 1767 came from the Palatinate in the
Fatherland. To this union there were born children as follows: (1)
George S. m. Mary L. Sonday, daughter of William Sonday, and has
three children, Elda, Alma and George, Jr.; (2) Charles F. m.
Bertha Dietrich, daughter of Emanuel J. Dietrich, and has two
children, Raymond J. and a baby girl; and (3) Harvey L. and (4)
James F., at home. In politics Mr. Heinly is a Democrat, and has
been a frequent delegate to county conventions.
p. 619
Surnames: HEINLY, ROURKE, ECKERT
Harvey F. Heinly was born at Hamburg, Berks county, Pa., July 1,
1873, son of David L. and the late Maria E. (Heinly) Heinly. When
he was six years old the family moved to Reading, and Mr. Heinly is
therefore indebted to the excellent school system of his adopted
city for his scholastic training. He graduated from the Boys' High
School in June, 1890, with first honors, being the valedictorian of
his class, and leaving behind him a record for most efficient
scholarship, winning prizes for spelling and essay and the gold
medal for oratory-in fact, all the prizes which were offered during
his high school course.
Mr. Heinly at once began reading law, his
preceptor being William J. Rourke, then city solicitor and
assistant district attorney. Upon his admission to the Bar, Nov.
12, 1894, he became associated with his preceptor in practice,
which continued with success until March, 1901, when he established
himself at No. 47 North Sixth street, and has since continued in
active practice there. Mr. Heinly takes a lively and intelligent
interest in public and political affairs. His reputation acquired
in school as an orator brought him into immediate notice with the
leaders of the Democratic party, whose principles Mr. Heinly has
always espoused, and he has been in demand for "stump" service in
every campaign since his majority. He has frequently been called
upon to do like service for the Democratic State Committee, at
Lancaster, Harrisburg. Lebanon, and other places. He is a member of
the Americus (Democratic) Club, the Northeastern Democratic
Association and is the President of his Ward organization. He
retains his interest in educational affairs, having been an
organizer of and still a member of the Alumni Association of the
Reading high schools, and having served two terms as its president.
He is a member of the Reading Press Club, the Board of Trade, the
Young Men's Christian Association, and several fraternal
organizations. His religious affiliation is with St. Luke's
Lutheran church, and he is connected with the Sunday-school, being
the teacher of the Young Men's Bible Class for the past twelve
years.
On Nov. 20, 1900. Mr. Heinly was married to
Lydia I. Eckert, daughter of the late Rudolph and Lucetta Eckert.
of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The family of Mr. Heinly is one of the
old families of the State. As secretary of the Heinly Family
Association, he has assisted in compiling a resume of its
development in this country. Well authenticated records show that
the original American ancestor, David Heinly, together with a
brother, came from Germany about the middle of the eighteenth
century. In Rupp's "Thirty Thousand Immigrants," there appears an
entry to the effect that David and Matthias Heinly landed in
Philadelphia Sept. 19, 1749, having come over in the ship
"Patience" from the Kingdom of Wurtemberg and the Palatinate. One
of these immigrants. David, was the great-great-grandfather of the
subject of this review. He received a patent for three hundred
acres of land in what is now Greenwich township, the document being
signed by the proprietaries of the State of Pennsylvania, July 21,
1774. In this township he passed the remainder of his days, and
lies buried there in Dunkle's Church cemetery, the tombstone over
his grave bearing these words, cut in the sandstone, with German
words, but English letters:
"Hir ligd Dafid Heinle, ist geboren 1728 den 17 Ockober und
gestorben den 3 Ockober 1784."
On the reverse side of the stone is the following from an old
German Hymn, written in 1638, and appearing in the Leipsiger
Gesangbuch:
"Die Kron der gerechdig-keid, Ist mein schmuck und ehrenkleid:
Damid will ich for Got bestehen, Wan ich werd in himmel
eingehen."
The Heinly Family Association was organized in
August of 1899, the first meeting being held along Ontelaunee
creek, near Virginville, on a part of the tract on which was
located the homestead of the original American ancestor. Reunions
are held annually, latterly at Kutztown Park, at which there are
from four to five hundred members of the family present. At the
Fifth Annual Reunion, Aug. 15, 1903, a handsome granite memorial in
the form of an open book, symbolizing the family record, was
erected adjacent to the old headstone referred to above, and was
dedicated with appropriate exercises.
If to be well born is half the battle, then is
victory certain for Harvey F. Heinly, since the other half will be
amply cared for by the wealth of energy and alertness of mind which
he has displayed. Of good lineage, happily married, and with hosts
of friends, what more could any man ask of the Fates?
p. 522
Surnames: HEINLY, FOCHT, CLEVENSTINE,
William O, Heinly is the present publisher and proprietor of The
Hamburg Item, published at Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa. He is a son of
David L. and the late Maria Heinly, of Reading, and was born at
Evansville on July 10, 1862.
The family locating in Hamburg when he was six
years of age, he received his education in the public schools,
leaving the high school at the age of fifteen years, to enter the
office of The Item - then established but a few years by Samuel A.
Focht - to learn the printer's trade. About 1880 he took a position
in the office of the Reading Eagle, later working in various job
printing and newspaper offices in Reading, Allentown, Minersville,
and other places, until he reached the foremanship of the job
department of the Reading Times.
In 1884 he associated himself with John B.
Clevenstine in the commercial printing and engraving business.
After six months the business was divided by mutual consent, Mr.
Heinly taking the engraving branch, and he continued this for one
year. On Dec. 1, 1885, he entered for the first time the editorial
field, assuming the control of the Herald at Claremont, Va., where
he continued for several years, returning to the foremanship of the
Reading Times job department in 1887. The death of Mr. Focht, the
founder of The Hamburg Item, in September, 1887, necessitated the
sale of the office to close the estate. Mr. Heinly purchased the
property in December of that year, and took personal control at the
close of the year. During the twenty-two years of his ownership the
scope and influence of The Item have widened, the paper has been
enlarged from a small folio to a large quarto, the office expanding
from a hand operated press to cylinder presses, with folding
machine, type-setting machine and stereotyping department.
Mr. Heinly has always taken an active interest
in all public matters pertaining to the development of the town of
Hamburg and community. He was the prime mover through the newspaper
in the organization of the Board of Trade in 1889, and has served
as its secretary from its organization to the present. He is a
member of the Board of Health, and its secretary; he is the
registrar of District No. 227 of the Pennsylvania State Department
of Health; served five years as school director, and planned the
present improvement of the school grounds; he is a member of St.
John's Lutheran Church and its vested choir; also of the
Pennsylvania State Editorial Association, the International League
of Press Clubs, and the Reading Press Club; Hamburg Council, Royal
Arcanum Symmetry Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.; Arcadia Chamber. 0. K. F.;
Hamburg Castle, K. G. E.; Ontelaunee Tribe, I. 0. R. M.; the
Brotherhood of Odd Fellows of Boston; the Hamburg Motor Club, and
the Hamburg Rod and Gun Club. He is also president of the Hamburg
Gas Company, and interested in various industrial enterprises. He
is the father of two children, Esther and Raymond. His wife died in
February, 1903.
p.457
Surnames: HEINS, SINER, BEECHER, BECHTEL, HEARRING, GUISEN, LUDWIG,
BECHTEL, DEYSHER, ESHBACH
Col. William Heins, who died April 27, 1899, his home at Eshbach,
after an illness of some six month was one of the best known men of
his community, and for years had taken a prominent part in the
commercial an municipal life of the town.
The Heins family was one of the best known in
Philadelphia county, Pa., its early home being at Germantown.
Various members of the family were active in the Revolution. The
grandfather of Col. William was a farmer living near the village of
Mt. Airy, now a part of Germantown. and he became one of the
wealthy and influential men of that time and place. His children
were: Peter: Charles Abraham; Daniel; Hettie, m. to John Siner:
Sally, m. a Beecher: Sarah, deceased; and a daughter m. to Jacob
Bechtel. They were all reared in the Lutheran faith.
Daniel Heins, father of Col. William, was born
in Germantown, in 1779, and was reared on his father's farm. Upon
reaching manhood he engaged in the hotel business becoming
proprietor of the 'Washington House" in Germantown, one of the most
popular public houses there. In 1824 among the distinguished guests
he entertained was General LaFayette. Later in life he had charge
of the 'Dove Hotel" in Mt. Airy, and also carried on farming. In
his religious faith he was loyal to the teaching of his parents and
he died Feb. 23. 1842. In March, 1816, he married Elizabeth
Hearring, who died May 25, 1833, the mother of the following
children: John, born Feb. 10, 1817, was farmer owning a part of the
farm where the Norristown (Pa.) Asylum now stands; Hannah, born
Nov. 18, 1819 is deceased; Susan, born Feb. 2, 1821, is deceased;
Anna Margaret. born March 2, 1825, is deceased; Elizabeth, born
Jan. 20, 1827, became the wife of John Guisen, of Philadelphia;
Daniel, born Sept. 20, 1829, lived in Montgomery county, and there
died May 25, 1858; and William.
Col. William Heins was born in Germantown July
21, 1823, and was reared upon his father's farm, receiving such
education as the common schools afforded. His first venture for
himself was as a clerk in a store in Sassamansville, Montgomery
Co., Pa., where he remained two years. He then moved to New
Berlinville, Berks county, where as a clerk and huckster he
continued for but one year, then removing to Limestone, Douglass
township, where he was employed in a similar line by Peter K.
Ludwig. The latter then sold his business and with Col. Heins went
to Amity township, and engaged in the manufacture of gunpowder with
young Heins as teamster, hauling the powder from that point to
Philadelphia, Lancaster, Carlisle and Chambersburg. Col. Heins
continued in this business for some years after which he went to
Bechtelsville, and there for five years was employed at huckstering
by Isaac Bechtel. After five years in this business on his own
account he bought a farm of sixty-two acres at Eshbach, carrying on
general farming. He also fitted up a store in his house, and did a
large and paying business among his neighbors. In December, 1894,
his son Daniel succeeded to the business, and the Colonel retired
to spend his last years in quiet.
In politics Col. Heins was a Democrat, and he
took an active part in party work. In 1856 he was a member of the
State Legislature, and was a member of the committee on Military
Affairs, and it was while serving as a member of this committee
that he acquired his title of Colonel. He was also a member of the
Banking committee, and chairman of the committee on Roads. He
played a conspicuous part in passing the bill to charter the
Reading & Lehigh Railroad, running from Reading to Allentown,
and now called the East Pennsylvania Railroad. He served in a
number of local offices, was committeeman for Washington township
for many years, and was license commissioner for four years. During
the Civil war he filled the quota for his township. Like all his
family he was a Lutheran in religious belief.
On Jan. 16, 1859, Col. William Heins married
Anna Deysher, daughter of Peter Deysher, of Eshbach. She died July
18, 1894. The children born to this union were: Daniel, who
succeeded his father to the store: Horace, a baggage master on the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Amelia, who died in infancy;
Katie, who died at an early age; William, employed in the United
States Mint in Philadelphia; Mary: James and Alvin, both deceased
in youth; Emma, wife of Daniel Eshbach, who has charge of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad freight depot at Lancaster,
Pa.; and Warren, on the home farm.
Miss Mary Heins, daughter of Col. William, was
educated in the Keystone State Normal School, graduating in the
class of 1887. For fourteen consecutive terms she taught school at
Barto, and two terms at Heydt's school, in the same township. After
her father's death she was obliged to give up teaching to devote
herself to the management of her property, personally looking after
her farm of fifty-six acres. She also owns the store building at
Eshbach. Miss Heins has taken an active part in Sunday-school work.
She is a great reader, and is a thoroughly educated intelligent
woman, highly respected throughout her district.
p 1407
Surnames: HEISLER, MENGEL, FELIX, SMITH, GRETH, GANTER
John Heisler, whose death occurred at his home in Reading, Aug. 25,
1878, aged sixty-five years, was for many years engaged in
shoemaking in this city. Mr. Heisler was born in Bavaria, Germany,
Oct. 11, 1812.
When a young man Mr. Heisler came to America,
about 1836, and, settling in Reading, first located at "Cross Key
Hotel" with Samuel Mengel then engaged in the shoemaking business,
which trade he had learned in his native country, in Strassburg. He
was enterprising and capable and soon made a success of his
business. Mr. Heisler married Elizabeth Felix, daughter of Jacob
and Elizabeth (Smith) Felix, of Reading, and to this union there
were born children as follows: Mary; Caspar, born Sept. 20,1848,
who married Mary Greth, and has these children,-John, Helen, Mary,
Bernard, Cecelia, Annie, Amelia, Elizabeth and Laura; John;
Francis; Annie; Alice; Hilda; Joseph. of Pottstown, Pa., who
married Susan Ganter, of Reading. and has these children,-Gertrude,
Edward, Eugene, Joseph and Marie (twins), Helen. Paul and Alice;
Charles, who resides in Philadelphia, and Elizabeth. deceased. Mr.
Heisler's daughters, Mary, Alice and Hilda live together in a
comfortable home at No. 912 Washington street. Mr. Heisler was a
faithful member of the St. Paul's Catholic Church, and took an
active part in church and charitable work. He was considered one of
Reading's good, reliable citizens, and his death was a loss, not
only to his family and intimate friends, but to the community at
large.
p 1382
Surnames: HEISTAND, BORTZ, BORNEMAN, GEHMAN, MUSSELMAN, CLEMMER,
KRATZ, BECHTEL, DEYSHER, GRASSLEY, STAHL, ALBRECHT, HEIL, SHELLY
Harvey S, Heistand. One of the oldest families in Pennsylvania and
certainly one of the most prominent in the region of Berks county
is that of Heistand. The first on record to come to America was
Jacob Heistand, who emigrated in 1727. He was followed in 1731 by
Johan Heistand, who was then nineteen years old. In 1752 came
another Jacob Heistand, and in 1754, one Heinrich Heistand landed,
and as late as 1770 came Johannes Heistand. The family are all
Mennonites, and are numerous in the southeastern counties of the
State. Tradition says that Jacob Heistand was the ancestor of the
Berks county family, and the records of Montgomery county show that
Heistands lived there as early as 1741, in which case it would seem
that Jacob, who landed in 1727, was the ancestor of the family.
Jacob Heistand, great-grandfather of Harvey S.,
was born near Goshenhoppen. in Montgomery county. His brothers and
sisters were: Christian (lived at Goshenhoppen), Maricha and
Susanna were all three unmarried and lived on the original Heistand
homestead and Abraham settled in Upper Milford, Lehigh county, with
his brother Jacob, having a farm of sixty acres which he cultivated
in connection with his trade of weaver (he m. a Borneman, and had
children, Abraham, Polly, Rebecca. Anna and Catharine).
Jacob Heistand located in Upper Milford
township, Lehigh county, in his young manhood. He bought a large
farm of 140 acres, erected a barn before 1800, part of which is
still standing. Later he purchased an adjoining farm of 111 acres.
On his original tract he built a distillery which he operated many
years, making both apple-jack and rye-whiskey. He was very
prosperous, and at his death left a large estate, including a third
farm near Peters Church. In religion he was a Mennonite, and
belonged to New Zion Church, and there he and a number of his
descendants are buried. He died at the age of eighty-four. His
children were: (1) Nancy m. Jacob Bortz. (2) Elizabeth m. Jacob
Gehman. (3) A daughter who m. John Musselman. (4) John is mentioned
below. (5) David, born in 1813, obtained the 140-acre farm, and
engaged in its cultivation until his death in 1881. He was a
Mennonite. He married Katie Clemmer. daughter of George Clemmer,-
who died in 1866. the mother of Maria William, Charles, a daughter
(deceased in infancy) David C.. Elizabeth, Susan, Samuel, Nathaniel
C. and Jacob. Of these children, Nathaniel C., born Dec. 1857,
began farming in 1882. and in 1903 retired and moved to Chapel; in
1881 he m. Hannah B. Kratz daughter of Daniel Kratz, and they have
children Hannah, Horace K., Katie, Sallie, Lizzie, and Geneva and
Jennie (twins, the latter an invalid). All are Mennonites.
John Heistand, son of Jacob. was born in Upper
Milford, Lehigh county, and he died aged forty-three years, and is
buried at New Zionsville. He was life long farmer, living on one of
the old homesteads, containing 110 acres of good land. The log
house on this tract was built long ago, and was torn down about
1856, when the present stone house was built by Mrs. Elizabeth
(Bechtel) Heistand, widow of John and daughter of Jacob Bechtel.
John Heistand passed all his life on this farm. Like all his people
he is a Mennonite. To him and his wife were born: Anna, Jacob; John
died unmarried; Jonas succeeded his father on the home farm; and
Levi lives at Allentown.
Jacob Heistand, son of John, and now a venerable
resident of Chapel, was born in Upper Milford township, Lehigh
county. Nov. 17, 1835. He attended the old day school, and his
teacher's wages were 2 1/2 to 3 cents per day for each pupil. He
was trained to farming, and this he followed until he retired in
the spring of 1906. He began farming in 1873 on the farm in
Hereford township, now tenanted by his son. This at the time he
purchased it, in 1872 contained some fifty acres, but he later
purchased twenty five acres more. This was an old Deysher
homestead, the last of that family to own it being Joel Deysher,
son of Jacob, son of Daniel, who in 1790 was the head of the family
in that township, and who is buried on the farm in a private
burying ground located on the line of the Jacob Heistand and
Benjamin M. Grassley farms. This graveyard is now abandoned, and
since 1880 has been plowed. About twenty-four persons are buried
there. Jacob Heistand built the barn in 1879, and he also built all
the other buildings except the house. He and his family all
attended the New Zion's Mennonite Church, of which he was trustee
for three years. In 1870 Jacob Heistand married Emma Stahl,
daughter of Nathan and Bevvy (Albrecht) Stahl, and their children
were: Harvey S.; Henry, of Lower Milford township, Lehigh county;
Calvin, who died in infancy; Allen, of Hereford township; and
Elmer, at home with his parents. In 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Jacob
Heistand purchased a home at Chapel, where they are now living
retired.
Harvey S. Heistand, son of Jacob, was born in
Upper Milford township, Lehigh county, May 26, 1870. He attended
the common school in Hereford township, Berks county, to which
place his parents moved in 1873. He was reared to farming pursuits,
and in the spring of 1892 began farming in Hereford township on his
father-in-law's farm, and this he cultivated for fourteen years. In
the spring of 1906 he came to his father's farm, and this has since
been his home. He has eighty acres under good cultivation, and he
keeps four horses and twenty-one head of cattle. In politics Mr.
Heistand is a Republican, and in religion is a member of the New
Zion's Mennonite Church, of which he has served as a deacon. On
Jan. 16, 1892, he married Agnes A. Heil, daughter of Samuel D.
Heil, and they have one daughter, Verna M.
On the farm whereon Mr. Heistand is now living
was old silk mill, which was abandoned about 1855. Dr. Joel Y.
Shelly was president of the Company. The building was then used as
a barn, but was torn down in 1897 and replaced by the present more
modern structure. The old building was of frame, and stood abut
sixty yards southeast of the new barn.
p. 664
Surnames: HEIZMANN, EICHHORN, SIEGFRIED, DWIGHT, MILLER, TROXELL,
LIPPE, O'REILY, DICKSON, STERLING, MAY, LEINBACH, LOTZ
The Heizmanns are of distinguished German ancestry, the earliest of
whom anything definite is known being one who was knighted by King
Otto for distinguished services in the battle of Lechfeld, in 955,
between Germany and Hungary. The family name, indicative of valor,
was bestowed upon him and also the castle and lands of Schadeck.
From him descended those gallant knights and brave warriors who, in
response to the appeal of Peter the Hermit, at the close of the
eleventh century, formed a part of the first crusade of the
Christians who, with the cry "Deus vult" (God wills it), marched
victoriously to Palestine and rescued the Holy Sepulchre. In the
vicissitudes of fortune, the family has at times attained the
highest distinction, while again it has met with adversity, only to
rise again to its previous height. One of the family was
Hofmarschall to Kaiser Albrecht I, another became Archbishop of
Mayence, and another Stadt Syndicus of Cologne. During the Thirty
Years' war, in which Germany was assailed by foreign foes and
greatly torn by domestic dissensions, one branch of the family
sought refuge in the famous Black Forest.
Charles Lawrence Heizmann, the founder of the
family in America, was descended from this branch of Heizmanns. He
was born in Lenzkirch, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, Aug.
6, 1802. He was educated at Neufchatel, Switzerland. At the age of
thirty years he came to America on the ship "Marcus," sailing from
Rotterdam March 12, 1832, with the intention of making a business
trip. After touching at the island of Fayal, one of the Azores, on
June 13th, the ship arrived in July off Long Island, where it was
learned that cholera was raging in New York City. The passengers
were landed at Sag Harbor, L. I., on July a12th, and thence Mr.
Heizmann proceeded to Philadelphia, where he remained for some
time. Being favorably impressed with the country, its people and
its form of government, he concluded not to return to Europe, and
therefore located in Reading, Pa., where many Germans had
previously settled, and where he established himself in business as
an importer and dealer in musical instruments and musical
merchandise. Like most educated Germans he was an accomplished
musician and linguist, speaking, besides his native tongue,
English, French and Italian. He became interested in the industrial
development of his adopted city, and with characteristic German
foresight was instrumental in the formation of the Reading German
Building and Savings Fund Association, the first building society
in Reading, of which he was chosen president. The charter was
granted Sept. 18, 1848. He was Roman Catholic in religious faith,
holding membership in the church on South Fifth street, of which he
served as trustee. Mr. Heizmann died in Reading July 3, 1859.
On April 22, 1834, Mr. Heizmann was united in
marriage with Mary Cecilia Eichhorn, daughter of John Francis
Eichhorn and Eva Siegfried, whose ancestors settled in Berks county
in 1755. All of their children were born in the old family home, on
the southeast corner of Sixth and Penn streets, Reading. Mrs.
Heizmann was one of a family of five children, namely: Anna, who
married a New England schoolmaster, Jonathan Dwight; John Francis,
who was married to Matilda Miller (both died at an early age,
leaving two daughters, Alice and Ann); Ellen, who married Charles
Troxell, postmaster of Reading under the Harrison-Tyler
administration, and a collector of the Port of Philadelphia under
the Taylor-Fillmore administration; Mary Cecilia; and Theresa, who
married Dr. Adolphus Lippe, a son of the Count of
Lippe-Weissenfeldt, Germany, and a member of the Lippe-Detmold
family. Six sons and two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Heizmann and this family has been influential and active in both
professional and industrial circles in Berks county for many years.
Charles Raymond and Theodore Ignatius are mentioned below. Francis
Joseph, born Aug. 14, 1841, died Oct. 22, 1849. Cecilia Eve was
born June 2, 1844. Dr. Charles Lawrence and Albert Aloysius are
mentioned below. Mary Ann, born Nov. 4, 1853, became the wife of
James A. O'Reilly, Esq., a prominent attorney of Reading. Aloysius
Adolphus, born Sept. 27, 1858, died Feb. 17, 1859.
Charles Raymond Heizmann was born in Reading
Jan. 23, 1835, and received his education in private schools and at
St. Mary's College, Wilmington, Del.
When only fifteen he entered his father's store
to receive a business training. His father allowed the boy to
undertake many responsible duties, in the performance of which he
not only showed great interest, but also developed self-confidence
and executive ability. He was often sent to buy goods in
Philadelphia, and early displayed the traits which have since
brought him into such prominence in the commercial world. When his
father died he assumed control of the business, which he purchased
from the estate in 1865, conducting it alone from that time to
1870, when he received his brother Albert into partnership in the
business. The old business was continued successfully, and in 1877
they made a new departure, establishing the Penn Hardware Works.
The ran both businesses for two years, at the end of that time
finding the new enterprise so promising that they disposed of the
store in order to give all their time to the hardware works.
The Penn Hardware Works were first located in a
small building on Front street, which the firm leased, and
employment was given to ten hands. As the business grew and more
space was required, they purchased four acres of land at the foot
of Spruce street, between the canal and the Schuylkill river,
erecting thereon a convenient building, which met the demands of
the business at that time. But it continued to expand with
undreamed-of rapidity, so that the new structure proved inadequate,
and additions were needed so much sooner than the proprietors had
anticipated. These were made from time to time until all the four
acres were covered with substantial brick buildings. Then adjacent
property was secured, and in 1906 a new building 60 x 100 feet in
dimensions, and four stories in height, was erected, ready for
occupancy Jan. 1, 1907. It is very modern in every respect, and
completes a block of buildings which make the Penn Hardware Works
one of the largest plants in the United States. The first floor of
this new building is used as a store room, the other three floors
being used exclusively for plating. The company now manufactures
its own gas, for fuel and lighting, a two-story building, 30x80
feet, having been erected for the gas plant. There are six engines
in the establishment, two gasoline engines of 60 and 33
horse-power, respectively, a steam engine of 150, one of 30 and one
of 120 horse-power, and a new gas engine of 150 horse-power. A new
warehouse, seven stories in height and 60 x 120 feet in dimensions,
is now (1908) under course of construction. Seven hundred and fifty
hands constitute the present working force, which is frequently
taxed to the utmost and working overtime. The company is
extensively engaged in manufacturing a general line of builder's
hardware, and the product is sold all over the United States,
Europe and Australia. Ten carloads of frame pulleys were made for
the rebuilding of San Francisco. Orders are constantly being
received which insure the activity of the plant for months ahead.
Mr. C. Raymond Heizmann is not only a man of
excellent talent, but he has mechanical tastes which have developed
under the necessities of business, and he has designed much of the
machinery and many of the appliances in use at the works, and is a
patentee of a number of the articles manufactured by the company.
The most successful of these articles was a plug tobacco cutter.
After sharp competition with the leading manufacturers of the
country Mr. Heizmann secured a contract from the Lorillard's of New
York for twenty thousand of these small machines, highly finished
in nickel plate and bronze. The Penn Hardware Company was
incorporated in April, 1896, with a paid-up capital of $415,000,
and with Mr. C. Raymond Heizmann as its president, which position
he has occupied since the commencement of the enterprise. An
establishment of such magnitude confers untold benefits upon the
community in which it is located, and the large showing made by the
employes in the industrial parade during the Sesqui-Centennial of
Reading, celebrated in June, 1898, gave some indication of the
number of people directly benefited by profitable and steady
employment at this plant. The number has since been increased about
fifty per cent. Mr. Heizmann took great interest in the
celebration, and gave his influence and active aid toward making it
a success, serving as a member of the executive committee and
chairman of the insignia committee.
On June 9, 1874, Mr. Heizmann was married to
Mary M. Miller, daughter of Lewis and Mary A. (Dickson) Miller, and
the became the parents of the following children: Mary A., Mary
Cecilia, Raymond L., Lewis J., Flora R., Charles Raymond, Jr.,
Francis Edward and Theodora. Their home is at No. 318 North Fifth
street, Reading.
Theodore Ignatius Heizmann was born in Reading
Dec. 14, 1838. He attended the private schools of the city and
later Mount St. Mary's College, at Emmitsburg, Md., where he
remained two years, after which he entered the Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y., in 1856. He graduated in
1859, with the degree of civil engineer, and for several months
thereafter was engaged as assistant to the topographer of the
preliminary survey of the Reading & Columbia railroad, and in a
similar capacity of the survey of a line between Easton and
Nazareth. In March, 1860, he became a member of the engineer corps
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and by his industry and
ability won such rapid promotion that in March, 1861, he became
assistant engineer. In March, 1864, he became principal assistant
engineer, and in February, 1865, became resident engineer of the
Middle division, from Harrisburg to Altoona, his office being at
the latter place. In January, 1868, he became resident engineer of
the Philadelphia division, between Philadelphia and Harrisburg,
with office at Philadelphia. In April, 1870, his office was changed
back to Altoona, when he was made engineer of maintenance of way of
the main line between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. In January, 1872,
he was appointed chief engineer of maintenance of way of all lines
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company between New York City and
Pittsburg, and as such had his office at Philadelphia until his
retirement in 1874. Mr. Heizmann has not devoted himself
particularly to any line of work since, spending much of his time
in foreign travel. He takes keen enjoyment in music and even during
his active business career kept up his musical studies for the love
of the art. He was vice-chairman of the music committee during the
Sesqui-Centennial celebration in June, 1898, and wrote the music
for the hymn sung on the occasion. He has been vice-president and a
director of the Penn Hardware Company since its incorporation. In
1892-93 he built the St. Cecilia Memorial Chapel at the northwest
corner of Perkiomen avenue and Spruce street, as a memorial to his
mother.
Dr. Charles
Lawrence Heizmann, who spent all of his professional life from the
age of twenty-one in the United States army as assistant surgeon,
surgeon and assistant sturgeon general, was born April 15, 1846, in
Reading, where he obtained his intellectual training in the public
schools. After his graduation from the Reading high school he
entered the University of Georgetown, which institution conferred
on him the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was then prepared for the
medical profession in the Medical Department of the University of
Pennsylvania, graduating therefrom in his twenty-first year, after
which he applied for admission to the medical corps of the army,
being on of the four chosen of several hundred candidates. In the
army service his service has been an active and a brilliant one. He
first saw service in the Modoc war on the Western frontier, and the
reminiscences of thrilling adventures which he oftentimes relates
are very interesting. He accompanied the party making the first
survey of Yellowstone Park, and during his service has been
stationed at the following posts: San Antonio, Texas; Fort
Vancouver; Fort Douglass; Salt Lake City, Utah; Fort Niagara; West
Point; Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor; Fort Ontario at Oswego;
Fort Adams, Newport, R. I.; at the Presidio, San Francisco, Cal.,
arriving there just after the great earthquake and fire of 1906;
and at Manila, in the Philippines, in charge of the Medical
Department of those Islands. Some years ago, Colonel Heizmann was
honored by the War Department with a semi-official mission to
Europe to inspect the military hospitals of the principal nations
of the Continent. He made a careful study of their systems and upon
his return published a book upon the subject which is really a work
of merit, and has gained him much praise from the physicians of
this country. Besides being a work of literary value it has
resulted in much benefit to the hospitals of our country, owing to
its completeness and exactness of detail. He retired from the army
in the year 1908 with the rank of Assistant Surgeon General.
Albert Aloysius Heizmann was born in Reading
Sept. 11, 1848, and was educated in the private school of Reading,
St. Mary's College, Wilmington, Del., and at the University of
Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., graduating there in the English and
commercial course in 1865. In the same year he entered the store of
his brother, Charles Raymond, at the corner of Sixth and Penn
streets, Reading, and in 1870 he became an equal partner in the
business. they were jewelers and importers of musical instruments
and merchandise. In 1877 the two brothers, as equal partners,
established the Penn Hardware Works, for the manufacture of the
builders' hardware, and in 1879 disposed of the store and devoted
their whole attention to the new enterprise. In April, 1896, it was
incorporated as the Penn Hardware Company with a paid-up capital of
$415,000. Albert A. Heizmann was elected treasurer of the company.
That the business has been a success is evidenced by the fact that
the annual statement of Jan. 1, 1908, showed a surplus fund greater
then the original capital.
In addition to his work as a member of the Penn
Hardware Company, Mr. Heizmann took a great interest in municipal
affairs, having been a member of common council from 1878 to 1880,
and of select council from 1882 to 1885. In February, 1885, he was
elected a member of the board of water commissioners, and was
chosen president of the board in 1891, which position he held until
Feb. 16, 1892, when he resigned. Mr. Heizmann was a director of the
Keystone National Bank for a number of years. Owing to his
continued ill health, which compelled him to live in the South the
greater part of the year, he resigned as treasurer of the Penn
Hardware Company Jan. 1, 1901, but still remained a director. He
died June 14, 1909.
On Sept. 3, 1874, Mr. Heizmann married Jane,
daughter of Isaac and Mary (Sterling) May, of Shamokin, Pa. The had
children as follows: Mary May, born June 27, 1875; Charles
Lawrence, born Oct. 18, 1877; William Albert, born Sept. 15, 1882;
Henry, born Sept. 15, 1882 (died in infancy); Edith Cecilia, born
Nov. 24, 1887; Theodore, born Nov. 13, 1889.
William A. Heizmann, treasurer and sales manager
of the Penn Hardware Company, of Reading, is proving his right to a
position in the foremost business circles of the city. The name
Heizmann stands for all that is substantial, up-to-date and
honorable in the local industrial field. Various representatives of
the family have won their way to unquestioned standing, and to the
younger generation falls the no less difficult task of maintaining
the high standard of their elders and of infusing new aims and new
energy into the business whose development has been the pride and
the life work of its founders. The Penn Hardware Company,
Manufacturers of Locks & Builders Hardware, owned, officered
and managed chiefly by members of the Heizmann families, is one of
the solid institutions of Reading. Mr. Heizmann was born in Reading
Sept. 15, 1882, and received his early training in the private and
public schools of the city, graduating from the high school with
distinction in the year 1900. He then continued his studies at
Harvard University, where he won a Harvard College Honorary
Scholarship, completing in three years the work required for the
Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1904 he was graduated from Harvard with
distinction. He then took charge of the foundry department of the
Penn Hardware Company, within a short time was appointed assistant
treasurer, and in 1905 was elected treasurer, which office he has
since held. In addition to the duties which fall to him in that
capacity he also has been given charge of the sales department, a
measure of responsibility which reflects credit upon the promise
which he has already shown.
On Oct. 3, 1906, Mr. Heizmann married Miss Ada
Lotz Leinbach, a daughter of A. Ellsworth and Mary A. (Lotz)
Leinbach, members of prominent Berks county families elsewhere
mentioned. Mr. and Mrs. Heizmann reside at No. 202 Windsor street.
They have one child, Anne Leinbach, born Sept. 9, 1907. Mr.
Heizmann is a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, and socially
belongs to the Berkshire Country Club and is secretary of the
Harvard Club of Reading.