My Genealogy Hound

JOHN F. FISHER was born December 22, 1831, near the town of Shoffenhausen, Switzerland. He was a farmer in his native country until he was twenty-four years old, ancl then, in 1855, came to America. He settled in Norriton township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade of blacksmithing for one year. Obliged to leave this work on account of failing health he went to Worcester township, and worked on farms in that and adjoining townships for several years. In 1870 he bought his farm in Worcester township, which includes over sixty-eight acres, and where he has carried on general farming ever since. He has a good dairy. The house on the farm was built in 1754, an addition being built in 1813, and both parts are wonderfully well preserved. Mr. Fisher is a staunch Democrat and served as supervisor for two years. He belongs to the German Reformed church.

John F. Fisher is a member of Zook Post, No. 11, G. A. R., of Norristown. He enlisted in defense of the Union, April 21, 1861, at Harrisburg, as a private in Company E, Fourth Pennsylvania Infantry. By reason of faithful service he was promoted to the rank of corporal. Captain George Anny commanded the company, which was attached to the Fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Colonel John F. Hartranft, and assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, McDowell’s Army. The regiment left Camp Curtain, on April 21, and proceeded to Philadelphia, going thence to Annapolis by boat, and marching thence to Washington. The regiment went into camp at Bladensburg and Shutler’s Hill, where the picket lines were attacked on June 30, along the old Fairfax road. On July 19th the regiment marched to Blackburn’s Ford and Centre Hill, and thence to Washington. From Washington the regiment went to Harrisburg, where Corporal Fisher was honorably discharged, July 21, 1861, having served the period of his enlistment. Two brothers of Mr. Fisher, Jacob and George, served in the Civil war. They are now deceased. The regiment was enlisted for three months and took part in the first battle of Bull Run.

In 1861 John F. Fisher married Anna Weigner, daughter of Joel Weigner. Their children are: Sarah W. Fisher, who was born October 10, 1862, and resides with her parents; Susanna W., who is bookkeeper and cashier for G. F. Pfund & Son, pork packers, in the Reading terminal market; and one deceased.

The founder of the Weigner family in this country was Susanna (Seipt) Weigner, who came to Pennsylvania with the Schwenkfelders in 1734. She brought with her three children: Abraham, George and Rosina, who died September 14, 1803. Susanna Weigner, the widow, died September 18, 1755.

Abraham Weigner (great-grandfather), the son of Susanna Weigner, married May 31, 1750, Susanna, daughter of Abraham Yeakle. Their children were: Maria, born May 27, 1751; Sarah, born June 5, 1753, and died August 8, 1758; Rosina, born February 7, 1755; Susanna, born July 25, 1757, and died August 19, 1788; Abraham, born September 25, 1760; and John (grandfather), born July 9, 1765. Abraham Weigner died March 13, 1781, aged sixty-two years. Sus- anna, his widow, died January 28, 1812, aged eighty-three years and one month.

John Weigner (grandfather) married Rosina, daughter of David Kriebel, September 10, 1795. Their children were: Daniel, born September 26, 1797; George, born August 25, 1799; Joel (father), born May 14, 1801; Abraham, born November 8, 1802; Leah, born July 4, 1804; John born November 5, 1806; Lydia, born September 9, 1808; and Ezra, born January 12, 1814. John Weigner (grandfather) died September 6, 1847, aged eighty-two years. Rosina, his widow, died February 11, 1855, aged eighty-two years and seven months.

Joel Weigner (father) married Sarah, daughter of Henry Heebner, in 1833. Their children were: Anna, born September 3, 1834, wife of John F. Fisher; Lydia, born July 26, 1837, and died May 25, 1865; and Abigail, born November I, 1842, and died March 16, 1868. Joel Weigner died March 13, 1857.

Henry Heebner (maternal grandfather of Mrs. Fisher), born December 1, 1778, was the son of George and Anna (Shubert) Heebner. He married, April 21, 1807, Anna, daughter of Christopher Schultz. Their children were: Sarah (mother) born January 30, 1808; Susanna, born June 25, 1810; George, born November 24, 1811; Abraham, born May 14, 1814, and died February 24, 1815; Hannah, born February 24, 1816; Maria, born October 31, 1817; Abigail, born December 29, 1819; John S., born March 2, 1822, and died in 1903; and Anna, born February 28, 1827. John S. was long a director in the Montgomery National Bank, of Norristown, and was one of the most substantial citizens of Upper Gwynedd township, residing on the farm previously owned by his father. Henry Heebner died March 30, 1847. His wife preceded him in death, dying April 2, 1839.

George Heebner (great-grandfather) was the son of David Heebner, who came with his wife, Maria, to Pennsylvania in 1734. George Heebner married, April 26, 1769, Susanna, daughter of Balthasar Heydrick, and had one son, Balthasar, born June 12, 1770. Susanna, wife of George Heebner, died June 19, 1770, and George Heebner married (second wife) Anna, daughter of David Shubert. Their children: Maria, born April 28, 1773; Salome, born October 18, 1774, and died March 31, 1776; Regina, born January 13, 1777; Henry (grandfather), born December I, 1778; Barbara, born March 13, 1780, and died May 16, 1786; and Catharine, who was born July 17, 1782, and died May 14, 1786. George Heebner died August 18, 1783, aged thirty-nine years. Anna, his widow, died August 23, 1784, aged thirty-five years.

David Heebner (great-great-grandfather) had the following children: Christopher; Susanna; Rosanna, born May 9, 1738; and George (great-grandfather), born June 21, 1744. David Heebner died December 27, 1784. His widow Maria, died June 11, 1793.