The Hefner Families of Allen County, Ohio

DAVID HEFNER, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Berks County, Penn., June 22, 1804; son of Isaac and Susannah (Worline) Hefner, pioneers of Ross County, Ohio. His father died in that county, his mother in Perry Township, this county. From twelve years of age our subject was reared in Ross County, where he received a limited education in the common schools. He was married, in April, 1828, to Frances, daughter of Daniel and Christiana (Strausser) Frederick, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Ross County, Ohio. The issue of this union was nine children: Susannah (wife of John Gillespie), Amos, William, Mary, Sarah (wife of Levi Brentlinger), Albert, Isaac, Jane (deceased), and Rebecca (wife of David Worline). Mr. Hefner settled in Perry Township in 1840, locating on the farm where he now resides. His farm comprises 320 acres of land, all of which he has cleared and improved. He is one of the leading farmers of Perry Township, and a worthy citizen. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and has always been a stanch Democrat.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALBERT HEFNER, who recently completed a term of three years on the Board of County Commissioners, a portion of this period serving as president of the board, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, October 23, 1839, and is a son of David and Frances (Frederick) Hefner.

The parents of Mr. Hefner were natives of Pennsylvania. In 1840 they came to Allen County, Ohio, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until the close of his life.' He reared a family of eight children, all of whom are well settled in life.

Albert Hefner was reared a farmer boy and was educated in the public schools of Bath township. His life has been mainly spent as a farmer and stock-raiser and he still owns a fine estate, although his official duties prevent his dose supervision of its operation. He has always been one of the county’s intelligent, public-spirited men and for many years has been a force in politics. As a leading Democrat he has filled a number of local offices and in 1901 was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners and was honored by being chosen as president of that important body. His term expired in September, 1905. His services on the board were eminently satisfactory to the public.

Mr. Hefner was married October 20, 1893, to Emma B. Ziler, a daughter of John Ziler, a well-known citizen of Allen County, and they have three children — Ruth, Esther and James E. The family belong to the Christian Church.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ISAAC HEFNER, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Perry Township, this county, November 20, 1841, and is a son of David and Frances (Frederick) Hefner, who settled in Perry Township, this county, in 1840. His paternal grandparents were Isaac and Susannah (Worline) Hefner, pioneers of Ross County. Ohio, and his maternal grandparents, Daniel and Christiana (Strausser) Frederick, were also pioneers of Ross County. Our subject was reared in Perry Township, this county, and educated in the common schools. He was married July 30, 1800, to Nancy O., daughter of Dr. Brice and Rebecca (Perdue) Blair, of Jackson Township, this county. He was in the late war of the Rebellion, having enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, July 23, 1802, and served in the Georgia and Alabama campaigns under Sherman, receiving an honorable discharge at Cleveland, Ohio, July 9, 1865. After this he returned to Allen County, and engaged in farming, and has resided on his present farm in Perry Township since 1882. He is a representative farmer and worthy citizen. In politics he is a Democrat.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARRISON HEFFNER, farmer, P. O. Westminster, was born in Auglaize Township, this county, September 11, 1854; son of Gabriel and Rachel (Strausser) Heffner, early settlers of Auglaize Township, this county. His paternal grandparents were Isaac and Susannah (Worline) Heffner, pioneers of Ross County, Ohio, formerly of Berks County, Penn.; his maternal grandfather was Daniel Strausser, a native of Pennsylvania, and also a pioneer of Ross County, Ohio. The children of Gabriel Heffner were nine in number: Taylor, Maggie (wife of Phelan Stevick), Harrison, Clara, George, Ada, Anna and Annie (twins), and Frank. Our subject was reared in Auglaize Township, and educated in the common schools. May 15, 1879, he married Clara, daughter of Brice and Mary (Perdue) Blair, early settlers of Jackson Township, and by this union there is one child, Earl. After his marriage Mr. Heffner engaged in farming in Perry Township, on the farm where he now resides. He is a Democrat in politics.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARRISON HEFFNER, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 25, 1834. Isaac Heffner, the father of our subject, was prominent among the self-made men of this county. Commencing in life a poor man, with but a limited education, he eventually became one of the largest land owners of the county, and at the time of his death owned about 1,500 acres of land, nearly all of which he had improved. He was born in Pennsylvania, February 12, 1809, and when a child was taken by his parents to Ross County, Ohio, where he grew to maturity. In May, 1833, he married Mary May, born in 1807, daughter of John and Mary (Strouse) May, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Ross County. In about 1842 Isaac Heffner came with his family to this county, and here erected the first brick house built in Jackson Township, where he died May 30, 1884. He was a very public-spirited man, and much credit is due him for the present state of development Jackson Township has obtained. He was the founder of the church deeded to the Christian denomination, although for years a member of the German Reformed Church. Our subject has resided upon his present farm since 1863. He is one of the most extensive stock dealers in this vicinity, his herd consisting of thoroughbred shorthorns. He was married April 30, 1863, to Miss Mahaley Ice, who was born, in Auglaize Township, this county, March 11, 1842, daughter of Samuel-and Mary (Shelenberger) Ice, natives of Pennsylvania, and who are among the early settlers of Auglaize Township, this county. To this union were born six children: Mary L., Charles E., Jennie A., Rison B., William G. and Harry H. Mr. Heffner has served the people of Jackson Township as trustee. He has for several years been identified with the Gennan Reformed Church. In politics he is an active Democrat.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

BOHN HEFNER, a well known agriculturist of Jackson township, was born in this vicinity July 12, 1849, and belongs to a family which has been closely identified with the history of the county for 65 years. He owns and cultivates a large farm of 280 acres in section 30 and 31, Jackson township and section 25, Bath township and is regarded as one of the best farmers in the county. His parents, Isaac and Mary (May) Hefner, came originally from Pennsylvania to Ross County, this State, and, in 1840, removed with their family to Allen County where they remained until their death, the former in 1884, at the age of 75 and the latter in 1901 at the more advanced age of 94. Isaac Hefner accumulated large tracts of land, which are still in the possession of his descendants. The following children were born to him and his good wife: Jacob, of Jackson township; Harison, of Jackson township; Amos, of Auglaize township; two that died in infancy; Clarissa, wife of Jacob Mowery, of Bath township; David, of Bath township; and John and Albert, who live in Jackson township.

John Hefner was married in 1880 to Miss F. R. Growdon, who was born in Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio, April 13, 1857. Her parents were Brice and Sarah (Ash) Growdon, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.

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Mrs. Hefner died January 2, 1900, leaving seven children, namely: Sarah Olive; Tillie

A.; Jesse William; Harvey R.; Mary; Robert and Leah. Edith died at the age of nine years and two died in infancy. After his marriage, Mr. Hefner moved at once to his present property and has devoted his entire time to farming and has found it to be far more profitable to feed the products of his land to his stock than to put it on the market in the natural state. He handles all kinds of stock and his premises are well provided with barns and sheds to properly accommodate them, large cribs and grainaries affording storage for his grain. Sixty-seven acres of his land lies in section 30 and. 87 in section 31, Jackson township, the remainder being. located in section 23, Bath township, it is all in one body, excepting a tract of 40 acres. Mr. Hefner is deacon of the Reformed Church and was formerly elder. He is a strong Democrat and has been an efficient member of the School Board. He is a member of the Auglaize Grange, of which he was one time treasurer and has always taken a lively interest in advancing agricultural interests in Allen County.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.