BIO: GEORGE W. HEFFELMAN, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
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  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 401-402
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
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   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
    
    402	CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
    
  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 \V., 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.