My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM A. HECKENBERGER, V. S. The gentleman whose name appears upon this page is one of the oldest veterinary surgeons in Pennsylvania and the oldest in his profession in the Lehigh Valley, throughout whose limits he is favorably known. He makes his home in Catasauqua, where he has been engaged in practice since 1848.

Our subject was born in Saulgau, Wurtemberg, Germany, February 26, 1825, and is the son of Joseph Heckenberger, also a native of the above place, where he was Sheriff, having charge of prisoners for forty years, or until he retired on a pension. He was with Emperor William fourteen years in Russia. He is now deceased, departing this life at the age of seventy-six years.

The mother of our subject, Louisa Pocarius prior to her marriage, was also born in the Fatherland, and became the mother of eight children, of whom our subject is the third in order of birth and the only member of the family who survives. He was reared in his native place and received his education first in the common schools and then in the gymnasium. When quite young he began reading books on veterinary surgery, and when deciding to follow that profession throughout life, fitted himself to become an expert in this line.

In 1848 Mr. Heckenberger came to America, leaving Antwerp on the sailing-vessel “Rielm,” which landed him in New York City after a voyage of sixty days. From the metropolis Mr. Heckenberger went to Newark, N. J., where he began the practice of his profession, but there being very few German-speaking people in that city, and being unacquainted with English, he came one year later to Catasauqua, which was then little more than a hamlet. He was the first veterinary surgeon to locate in this place, and by his ability and skill in the treatment of horses soon built up a large practice. He is now engaged by the Bethlehem Iron Company, the Crane Iron Company, and by many of the mines to loolt after their animals when needed.

Mr. Heckenberger was married in this city in 1856 to Miss Nancy Carney, a native of Ireland. To them have been born four children, named respectively: William, a druggist in this city; Henry, a, veterinary surgeon in Pittston; Joseph, who also follows that profession, is a graduate of the Toronto Veterinary College, and who is engaged in practice with our subject, and Amanda, now the wife of David Price.

Our subject is a member of the Veterinary Medical Association of Pennsylvania, with which he has been prominently identified for many years. He is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church and gives liberally of his means toward the support of the congregation in this city.