My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. HEFFELMAN, a well known citizen of New Cumberland, Cumberland county, was born March 14, 1860, in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a descendant of a Prussian officer who served through the Revolutionary war, under General LaFayette, and became a pioneer settler of New Cumberland.

Lieut. Adolphus Hovelman, as the name was spelled in early days, the great-grandfather of George W., came from Prussia and served under the great French officer until the successful close of the struggle for freedom, and then settled, first in Lancaster, later in Lebanon and finally in Cumberland county, Pa. His pioneer home was a house of logs, which stood on the site now occupied by the Herman Cigar Manufacturing Co., in New Cumberland. His death took place in 1804 and that of his widow some years later, and both were buried in Poplar churchyard.

Michael Heffelman, son of Adolphus, was born in New Cumberland, and later kept the old stone hotel at Newville. We have not much reliable data concerning this old citizen, but it is known that he was a stanch Democrat, and that he and his wife were both leading members of the Presbyterian Church.

Michael Heffelman (2), son of Michael, was born at Newville, passed his boyhood in the old stone hotel, and attended the local schools. Although he learned the saddler’s trade it is doubtful if he ever followed it, for after his marriage and the birth of one child he removed his family, by wagon, to Clinton, Wayne county, Ohio, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for many years. Later he removed to Cleveland and spent his active years there as a merchant, finally retiring to Clinton, where he died in 1871, survived by his widow until 1889.

On June 23, 1847, Mr. Heffelman married Hannah Reifsnyder, daughter of Adam and Nancy Reifsnyder, of Newville, and children as follows were born to this union: Mary, who married J. D. Eisenberger, of New Cumberland; John, who died aged eleven years; Annie, who died in childhood; Jasper, who died aged eleven years; George W., of this sketch; and Viola, who is the wife of William Zellers, of Fairview township, York county. In politics Michael Heffelman was a Democrat. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian, and his wife was also a devout member of the same denomination. George W. Heffelman was educated in the common schools and did his first work as a driver for the canal-boats, walking many miles along the tow-path. Later he learned the carpenter’s trade in New Cumberland and followed the same for twelve years. For some years he worked in various places at different branches of wood work, being an expert in almost all lines. From youth he had been seriously inclined, and in 1890 was impressed with the duty of entering the ministry. He was licensed to preach in the United Brethren Church and served two years as pastor of the churches at Rayville, Md., and Bendersville, Adams county, Pa. He then located at New Cumberland and took an active interest in political matters, was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland and served until the close of his administration. In 1902 he was chairman of the Democratic county committee, and has always shown his devotion to his party. In 1904 he was persuaded by his friends to become a candidate for the State Legislature, but he was defeated by a small majority.

In 1885, at New Market, York county, Pa., Mr. Heffelman was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Fisher, a daughter of John K. and Elizabeth (Whisler) Fisher, of that place. The six children of this union are: Grace, John, Ruth, Claud, Marion and Dorothy.

Mr. Heffelman is a valued member of Trinity United Brethren Church at New Cumberland and a member of the Quarterly Conference. His fraternal associations are numerous, he being a member of the A. F. & A. M., Jr. O. U. A. M., Red Men, Daughters of Liberty, Heptasophs and Modern Woodmen.