USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 23
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entered the conservatory of music at Prague, capital of Bohemia, and completed the prescribed course in that renowned institution in 1882, graduating with high honors. In addition to his musical education, Professor Hausman is a thorough linguist, reading and writing six languages with accuracy and fluency. For some two or three years previous to his graduation in music he had been engaged in teaching the fascinating study in his native land. After completing his course he entered the military service of Austria, and served three years as a member of a regimental band. His professional engagements followed this and led him twice around the world, teaching music in nearly every European country, and spending eighteen months as a member of the world-famous orchestra of Johann Strauss, in Vienna. Leaving Strauss, he com- pleted his second trip around the world, located in London, taught in that city and Manchester, England, until 1900, when he em- barked for America, and arrived in Pottsville on March 25, in that year. It seemed especially fortunate, both for Professor Haus- man and the music-loving people of Pottsville, that his steps were directed here, in that he at once assumed a prominent place in the musical society of the town. His first engagement was as musical director of St. Patrick's church, soon followed by a like position, termed choir-master, in Trinity Episcopal church, these being two of the leading English-speaking churches in Pottsville. Soon after this the professor was chosen as musical director of the Pottsville operatic society, and of the "Liederkranz,' a German musical society of high order. Scarcely a musical event of prom- inence has occurred in Pottsville during the last six years that Professor Hausman was not the leading spirit, and his talents are everywhere recognized and appreciated. As a teacher of vocal music, voice culture and the violin, he is without a peer in the community. In the social world he is companionable, devoted to his friends, honorable and upright in character, a gentleman of high literary attainments and exalted professional talents. Pro- fessor Hausman is a member of the social and beneficial Order of Eagles, Pottsville Aeric, No. 134, and musical director of the organization. On Nov. 11, 1903, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Julia, daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Lecher) Alstadt, whose history as early settlers and prominent citizens of Pottsville is worthy of more than a passing notice. Francis Alstadt, a typical German-American, and a representative of the progressive German citizenship in Schuylkill county, was born in Grossenluder, Kreiss Fulda, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, Dec. 11, 1819. He was a son of Valentine and Margaret (Yost) Alstadt, natives of the same place as himself. His parents spent their lives in Prussia. Of a family of four sons, two of them came to America in the hope of bettering their fortunes. Francis Alstadt crossed the ocean in 1837, after having completed his education in his native land, and took up a temporary residence in Philadelphia, but after a few months located at Pottsville, where he soon became thoroughly identified with the growth and prog-
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ress of the town. He prosecuted the study of a course in surgery in Germany, but discontinued it after coming to America. For some twenty-five years he was identified with the barber business in Pottsville, combining that with other extensive interests. In 1855 he engaged in merchandising, and conducted a music store, book and stationery business for more than thirty years. During this period he was also the local agent for the Hamburg-American Packet Company's line, Richard & Co.'s banking house, several savings fund institutions, and conducted a general real estate and insurance business. In all of his varied business interests he was successful. Mr. Alstadt was president of the German bank for six or seven years, and later became a director in the Real Estate, Title, Insurance and Trust Company of Pottsville, an institution of high financial standing at the present day. He was also inter- ested in the organization of the Pottsville Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and served as its president for several years. He was a man who sustained the highest confidence of the people, and was several times elected a member of the borough council without opposition. He was a devout Roman Catholic, and a zealous sup- porter of St. John the Baptist's church. He assisted in organizing the Washington Yeager military company, in 1838, was elected first lieutenant, and subsequently became captain of the company, a position which he held for a number of years. On Aug. 2. 1842, he married Miss Elizabeth Lecher, of Pottsville, a representative of one of the prominent and early established families. This was a most happy union, blessed with five children who lived to reach years of maturity. These were Mary, who became the wife of Emil Langguth, a piano manufacturer, who died on July 10, 1905: Josephine, wife of John J. Murphy, who died March 17, 1896: Margaret, wife of Professor Hausman, of this sketch; Amelia. now the wife of A. T. Jones, who is a commercial sales- man, living in Pottsville; and George, who died in young man- hood. Six children died in infancy or early childhood. Both the parents of this family are deceased, and the old parental home on Center street has passed into the hands of strangers. The mother died on Dec. 13. 1901, and the father on Sept. 28, 1902. This wor- thy couple lived together in love and peace for sixty-four years, and passed to the other shore within nine months. The memory of these loving, indulgent parents lingers in the hearts of their surviving children as a sacred benediction. A history of Pottsville and Schuylkill county would scarcely be complete without a record of this eminently respectable and highly honorable pioneer family. For sixty-five years Francis Alstadt was identified with the history of Pottsville, and contributed of his means and talents to its material growth and prosperity. He was a man of broad views and more than ordinary intelligence. His counsel was often sought on questions of public policy, his purse was always open to the cry of the needy, and he cared less for the accumulation of property than for the proper use of that which came to him as the result of his own industry and intelligent business career. His
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home and family were ever his first care. Few men have left a brighter record in the annals of Pottsville than Francis Alstadt.
Heaton, James, who is now living retired from active business, at Lost Creek, is one of the well-known and distinctively popular citizens of Schuylkill county, and for many years was closely iden- tified with the coal-mining industry in the Lehigh valley. He was born in Lancaster, England, May 5, 1836, a son of Aaron and Leah (Madacroft) Heaton, the former of whom was born in Staf- fordshire and the latter in Lancaster. In 1854 the parents immi- grated to America, landing in the city of Philadelphia and soon afterward establishing their home in Tamaqua, Schuylkill county. The father lived only about six months after coming to the United States, and his death occurred at Berlin, Somerset county, where he was at the time employed in connection with the construction of a tunnel. His wife died at Canton, Bradford county, both hav- ing been well advanced in years. They were the parents of eleven sons, of whom four died in England. The other seven came to the United States, and of these four were Union soldiers in the Civil war. Thomas died in the State of New York, at the age of seventy years ; John died in Shamokin, Pa., aged seventy-two years; Will- iam died in Hazleton, Pa., at the age of fifty-five years; Adam returned to England and there passed the remainder of his life; James, subject of this sketch, was the next younger; George and Samuel are successful stock-growers in the State of Nebraska. Those who went forth in defense of the Union in the war of the Rebellion were John, James, George and Samuel. James Heaton was eighteen years of age at the time of the family immigration to America. He secured work at the coal mines and was finally advanced to the position of inside foreman, of which he continued incumbent for twenty-seven years, all but the first year at Lost Creek, where he took up his residence in March, 1876, and where he has since continued to make his home. After thus serving for more than a quarter century as inside foreman at Packer colliery No. 4, he resigned his position and retired from active labor, though he is still carried on the pay roll of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, which thus makes fitting recognition of his long and faithful service. In politics Mr. Heaton gives an uncompro- mising allegiance to the Republican party, though he has never been a seeker of public office of any sort. For thirty-four years he has been affiliated with Lodge No. 357, Free and Accepted Masons, at Mahanoy City, where he also holds membership in Mizpah Chapter, No. 177, Royal Arch Masons, and Ivanhoe Com- mandery, No. 31, Knights Templars and belongs to General Grant Lodge, No. 575, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His life history has not been an eventful one, but it shows forth those ster- ling attributes of character which always gain to a man the confi- dence and regard of his fellow-men. In 1865 Mr. Heaton married Mrs. Ann (Sharp) Reed, who had two sons by her first marriage- Thomas, a resident of Shenandoah, and Matthew, now deceased. By her marriage to Mr. Heaton she became the mother of two
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daughters: Jane And became the wife of Howard J. Beisel and thed after a surgical operation, being survived by two sons and one daughter: the family reside in the city of Philadelphia ; Mar- garet Effic, the younger daughter of the subject of this sketch, is the wife of Herbert C. Hooks, of Philadelphia, and they have two sons. Two of Mr. Heaton's grandsons are named in his honor. The great loss and bereavement of Mr. Heaton's life occurred in 10%), when his devoted and cherished wife was summoned to the hate eternal, and since her death he has continued to reside in the old home, which is endeared to him by the associations of many years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also his wife.
Heaton, William H .. deceased, late president of the Citizens' National bank of Ashland, was born in Tamaqua on March 22. 1843, a son of Reuben A, and Mary (Carter) Heaton. His pater- nal grandfather was Joseph Heaton, a native of England and. a civil engineer by profession, who was a pioneer of Northumber- land and Columbia counties. Joseph Heaton married Aliss Sarah McNeill. a daughter of Samuel McNeill, who was brigade quarter- master of land's brigade, Sullivan's division of the Continental army in the Revolutionary war. Reuben Ayres Heaton, father of William H., was born in Allen township. Northampton county, in 1813. and located in Tamaqua, where he opened the collieries known as the Locust Gap and High Mines. In 1861 be removed to Girardville and started operations in the Preston collieries, which he continued most successfully until 1864. In that year he dis- posed of his interests, retired from active business life, and set- tled in Philadelphia, where he spent the remainder of his days. His marriage to Miss Mary Carter, a native of England and a daughter of Robert Carter, occurred on Feb. 22. 1838. The sub- ject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Tamaqua and at Canandaigua academy. Canandaigua, N. Y. In his early manhood he became engaged in the coal trade with his father at Tamaqua and Girardville. On Sept. 15. 1862. he enlisted in the 6th regiment. Pennsylvania state militia, and served actively when Lee with his Confederate army invaded the state. Early in 1865 with two of his brothers. S. M. and R. C. Heaton, he opened the Cuyler colliery at Raven Run and successfully oper- ated it until 1885, when they disposed of their interests to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company. Mr. Heaton was one of the organizers and heaviest stockholders of the Citi- zens' National bank of Ashland. chartered in 1875, and was elected its president in 1877. In 1900 he resigned and retired from active participation in business affairs. On May 2. 1872, was cele- brated Mr. Heaton's marriage to Miss Emily J. Douglas, of Mauch Chunk. Pa., by whom he had one son. Robert D., born July 21. 1873. This union was annulled by the death of Mrs. Heaton in 1896, and in December. 1897. Mr. Heaton was united in matri- mony to Miss Jane A. Edgar, of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Heaton's demise occurred Aug. 4. 1904, and in his death it was felt that
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not only the family but the whole community had suffered an irreparable loss. He was a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Pennsylvania Society of New York, and the Sons of the Revolution. The son, Robert Douglas Heaton, was reared in Schuylkill county and received his educational train- ing in the Canandaigua academy, the military academy at Corn- wall-on-the-Hudson, and the veterinary department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. Since attaining his majority he has been engaged in various occupations, and since 1886 he has been a resident of Ashland. On June 2, 1897, he married Miss Mary Louise Landefeld, a daughter of William and Louise (Wagner) Landefeld, of Ashland. Mr. Heaton and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is identified with Ashland Lodge, No. 384, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a Republican, but has never held office of any kind.
Heckert, Prof. Eli P., superintendent of schools of Schuylkill Haven and principal of the high school, was born in Jordan town- ship, Northumberland county, Sept. 6. 1872, and is the youngest of a family of five sons and as many daughters of Elias and Lydia (Hepler) Heckert. The father was a native of Northumberland county and the mother of Schuylkill county. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the common schools of Northumberland county, and subsequently graduated at the Union- town seminary and the Bloomsburg normal school. Then for a period of four years he taught school in Northumberland county and for three years was principal of the Askam, Luzerne county, schools. Then he entered Bucknell college, and received the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1902. Two years later he received his master's degree at the same institution. The four years following the college course he was principal of the Second ward (now known as the Asa Packer) schools of Mauch Chunk. His incumbency of his present responsible position dates from August, 1906, although the appointment was received in June. Since he assumed charge at Schuylkill Haven he has regraded the whole system so that now each pupil has a year in each grade and four years in the high school. The total enrollment of the schools in 829 pupils, who are under seventeen teachers, and the number in the high school is 56. On Aug. 22, 1900, Professor Heckert was united in marriage to Miss Alberta Carl, of Newville, Cumberland county, Pa., and this union has been blessed by the birth of one child, a daughter, Avril. Professor Heckert is a member of Camp No. 108, Patriotic Order Sons of America, of Mauch Chunk, and Camp 8,716 of the Modern Woodmen of America, of East Manch Chunk. In politics he is identified with the Republican party, and he and his wife are members of the United Evangelical church of Schuylkill Haven. Although he has been a resident of Schuylkill Haven but a short time, Professor Heckert has won the respect and admiration of the community by his ability in reorganizing the school system.
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Heebner, Thomas F., M. D., a leading physician of Port Carbon. is a son of George W. and Anna M. ( Fister) Heebner, of llam- burg. Berks county, Pa. The father was born in Port Carbon on Aug. 11, 1834, and died Sept. to, too. He was for many years one of the promment and most successin business men of that bor- ough, was one of the organizers of the Philadelphia shoe manu- facturing business of Port Carbon, which has now ceased to exist ; was a moving spirit in the organization of the Port Carbon Elec- tric Light, Heat and Power Company, and was for a number of years the president of the concern. Other business affairs in which he was interested inchaled a directorship in the Miners' National bank of Pottsville, and many other county institutions. In politics he was a Republican, and although he never sought office he was several times honored with positions of public trust. For six con- secutive terms he was a member of the borough council, and for a number of years was on the board of school directors. George W. Heebner was twice married, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth Wincoop, daughter of Gen. George Wyncoop. of Pottsville. One child, a daughter. Libbie F., now the wife of John Paxson, of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, blessed this union. In 1860. after death had severed the first union, Mr. Heebner married Miss Anna M .. daughter of Simon S. Fister. To this union, on Nov. 10, 1800, was born Thomas F. Heebner, the subject of this sketch. He attended the public schools of Port Carbon and graduated at the Pottsville high school in the class of 1878. His first employ- ment after leaving school was in the store of Heebner & Bro .. where he remained for nearly two years. Then he took up the study of medicine in 1880 in the offices of Drs. Brown and Birch. of Port Carbon, and in the fall of the same year matriculated in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania at Phil- adelphia. In May, 1883. he was granted the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and started his professional practice at once in Scran- ton. While a resident there he was a member of the staff of sur- geons of the Lackawanna hospital, surgeon for the Delaware. Lackawanna & Western railroad from 1884 10 1890, and developed a private practice which proved handsomely remunerative. In March. 1890, he removed to Port Carbon and became medical ex- aminer for the Philadelphia & Reading railroad at Pottsville; was surgeon to the Pottsville hospital when it was first organized in 1895, and has been medical examiner for the Philadelphia & Read- ing relief association since Feb. 1. 1891. Dr. Heebner has been twice married. His first union was to Miss Mary Coxon, of Port Carbon, and was solemnized on Oct. 17. 1883. Two children blessed this union, Nellie G., born Feb. 21, 1885, and died in August. 1885: and George W., born July 25. 1888. The mother died on July 27. 1888. On March 16, 1806. Dr. Heebner married Miss Laura HI. Matthews, of Fayetteville, N. C., and the children of this union are "the twins." Alice Matthews and Anna Margaret, born March 26, 1897, and Laura M., born Oct. 4. 1901. The family are all members of the Presbyterian church of Port Carbon. Dr.
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Heebner is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Union Lodge, No. 291, Free and Accepted Masons, of Scranton; a thirty- second degree Mason of the Keystone Consistory of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the northern jurisdiction of the United States; Robert Burns Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand; and the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, having been at one time a state vice- president of the same. He is a Republican in his political beliefs, but has never held office.
Heffner, James A., is the proprietor of a general store at Fried- ensburg, Wayne township. His paternal grandfather, John W. Heffner, Sr., was one of the pioneers of the township, and was a justice of the peace for forty years. His maternal grandfather, John K. Deitrich, was born in Berks county, from which place he moved to Wayne township and worked as a butcher during his life. James A. Heffner is a son of John W. Heffner, Jr., and Eliza- beth (Deitrich) Heffner, both of whom were born in Wayne town- ship. They were the parents of five sons and six daughters, two of the latter being deceased ; their names are Charles W., John H., William P., Morris W., James A., Mary I., Kate L. (deceased), Sarah J., Anna V., Carrie S., and Ida (deceased). John W. Heff- ner, Jr., was a farmer and was a member of Camp 264, Patriotic Order Sons of America. He died on Jan. 29, 1903, and his wife died in August, 1878. James A. Heffner was educated in the schools of Wayne township, and when he was about fifteen years old he went west, working on a farm in Iowa for six months. Upon his return, the following year, he took charge of the farm of Mrs. Jacob Wommer and conducted it for twenty-seven months, after which he was employed on his father's farm, conducting the same for six years. At the end of that time he bought a farm for himself, which he operated for eight years, going into his present business in Friedensburg in April, 1899. Mr. Heffner was married to Amanda D. Lehman, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Heimbach) Lehman, of Cherryville, on Oct. 1I, 1879. To this union have been born three sons and two daughters, viz .: Harry G., Maggie E., Charles M., Beulah A., and Harrison S., all of whom are living. Mr. Heffner is a charter member of Camp No. 164, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and has been treasurer of the Independent Americans since he became a member. He is a Re- publican in politics and has held the office of school director for eleven years. He and his family are members of the United Evan- gelical church of Friedensburg, of which he has been trustee and treasurer for eighteen years.
Heffner, William P., a butcher and farmer of Friedensburg, is a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Deitrich) Heffner, and was born in Wayne township on September 10, 1872. He attended the pub- lic schools until he was eleven years of age, when he began work- ing on the farm of his father, and hanling timber for mine use and boat-building. After this he worked for his brother for about a year and afterward went back with his father to his timber lands
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in Bukake He then went to work for his uncle, when with a butcher, remaining with him for four years, and after that obtained a position as butcher for the county almshouse. Later he became . teamster for the same institution, finding that the latter occupa tion was more remunerative. After remaining in this position for two years, he rented his uncle's place, where he had previously learned his trade, and later bought the property, where he has conducted the business up to the present time. Im April 1. 187. Mr. Heffner was married to Miss Mary Fehr, daughter of Paul and Elizabeth tEmerich) Fehr, of Washington township. Four children have been born to them, of whom three are living. Arthur. Clarence and Ralph. Mr. Heffner is a member of Camp No. 204. l'atrionic Order Sons of America, of Friedensburg, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Summit Station, and also of the Legal Protective association. In politics he is a Republican, and has been election judge and county committeeman for several years. The family attends the Union church of Friedensburg. Since his marriage Mr. Heffner has bought his father's farm of 70 acres, one- half of his father's interest in a double house in Friedensburg, and eight lots in Cressona which belonged to his father. After he had carried on the butcher business for about five years he also went into the business of dealing in cattle, horses and hides, purchasing from the farming community in the surrounding country.
Heiken, Joseph Casper, undertaker and embalmer at Pottsville, is a native of the borough in which he now lives, and was born on Ang. 1. 1862. He is a son of Frederick and Anna Maria (Thorn) Heiken, natives, respectively, of Westphalia and Nassau, Ger- many. They immigrated to America in early life, and the father was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Potts- ville for many years, the subject of this article succeeding to the business upon his death. The mother is still living. hale and hearty, at the age of seventy-eight years. Joseph C. Heiken was educated at the parochial school of St. John the Baptist, under the domination of the German Catholic church of the same name. His professional education was acquired at the Massachusetts college of embalming, at which institution he was graduated in 1807. Mr. Heiken has been twice married. first. on July 10, 1888, when Katherine L. McGovern became his wife. She was the daughter of Hugh and Mary ( Farley) McGovern, of Pottsville, and became the mother of three children, viz: Margaret Katherine, Frederick Joseph, and Charles Anthony. She died on Oct. 27, 1896. The second marriage of Mr. Heiken occurred at Louisville, Ky., Feb. 11. 1902, when he chose for his companion Miss Lena M. Linden. a native of Louisville, and a daughter of Mathias and Mary ( Hum- meli Linden. natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father died in Louisville, Dec. 28, 18-8, and the mother, born in 1830, still lives in Louisville, but is at present a welcome visitor at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Heiken. Lena M. Linden was educated in the public schools of Louisville and at St. Anthony's parochial school in the same city. Since her marriage with Mr. Heiken, she has
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