BIO: Frank HEIDEL, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wilson Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************************** __________________________________________________________ McElroy, James Thomas Jr., McElroy's Family Memories, Huntingdon, PA: (Author), 1930, page 104. __________________________________________________________ FRANK HEIDEL Orbisonia, Pa. Postmaster and Mortician: The career of Frank Heidel reads like a romance full of attainments, and success has crowned his efforts. To begin, he was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 9, 1894. His preliminary schooling was obtained in Philadelphia, Pa., until 1903, after which he attended the Mount Union Grade School until 1906. His father was born of the nobility of Germany and ranks as Baron Granz Von Heidelberg; born in Freiburg, Germany; after coming to this country changed his name to Franz Heidel. He died in 1925. The mother was before her marriage Christina Stoecklien; she was born in Elkton, Maryland. Frank Heidel, the subject of this sketch, started to work at twelve years of age, and commenced a correspondence course, enrolling with the International Correspondence School; one year with State Forest Academy; completed drafting course, Harrisburg Mechanical School, and year of night school at Harrisburg Business College; completed Embalming and Sanitary Course with Eckeles College of Embalming, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1922; also with Derma Surgery Course, with same college, 1922; served apprenticeship with funeral directors in Harrisburg, Waynesboro, Carlisle, Pittsburgh and Mount Union, Pa., and in 1924 established himself in the undertaking and embalming business at Orbisonia, Pa. As stated in the fore part of this sketch, he began to work at twelve years of age with the Harbison-Walker Brick Company; spent one year in Burlington, New Jersey, and three years in Ohio and the West; worked balance of time until the World War in brick yards. When the war was declared was employed with the Mount Union Refractories Company as foreman. On account of ill health was force to resign; spent one year at Mont Alto. His war record follows: Enlisted with Company H, 3rd Penna. Infantry, on April 12, 1917. Transferred to Co. H, 110th Infantry, in November, 1917; transferred to Company A, 109th Machine Gun Battalion, December, 1917; sailed for France in May, 1918; wounded August 18, 1918, at Fismes. Ran off from hospital during air raid, August 21, 1918. Returned to Co. A.; severely gassed and wounded September 1, 1918, again at Fismes. In hospital until December 23, 1918. Returned to outfit, hospitalized again on account of wounds, January 10, 1919. Returned to company day before sailing from Saint Nazaire, April 27, 1919. Wounds consisted of fractured skull from shrapnel, machine gun bullet in neck and leg; mustard and phosgene gas. Discharged at Camp Dix, New Jersey, May 7, 1919. He was an instructor of machine gunnery at Camp Hancock, Ga., before sailing for France. He is a member of the American Legion, has been Post Commander for three terms, and has held all offices in the local organization. Received loving cup for largest increase in membership during administration, 1925. Two years on state rehabilitation committee; received loving cup from disabled service men, 1924, for service. Member of Disabled War Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. His activities are varied. He organized the Ladies" Auxiliary of the American Legion of Orbisonia, 1925; organized Chamber of Commerce, 1927; managed local baseball team 1924-25-25, and 1928; managed local basketball team 1924-25-26-27 and 1928. Secretary of Presbyterian Sunday School; a member of Presbyterian Church, Secretary Chamber of Commerce and President Orbisonia-Rockhill Fire Co. Played soccor for two years with Cleveland League; at present is a mortician and postmaster at Orbisonia, Pa. Has two sisters, Anna Bortel, proprietress of Beauty Culture School, Fifth Avenue, New York City; Margaret Cook, Burlington, New Jersey, and Joseph Heidel, with Vim Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa. Dora and Louise deceased. Frank Heidel was married to Sylvia Lear, of Havre De Grace, Maryland, in the Episcopal Church of that city, September 8, 1921. She is a graduate of Peabody's Music Conservatory of Baltimore, Maryland. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heidel take an active part in all local and nearby entertainments, singing and comedy sketches. They have five children, Mildred, Anna Isabelle, Thomas, De Rose and Josephine. Mr. Heidel is in possession of a fine assortment of souvenirs, war relics, helmets, etc. Mr. Heidel is a man that can accomplish and carry to a finish anything he attempts. As a mortician he has given good service and has all that is necessary in the way of equipment. He has filled the office of postmaster with complete satisfaction, and men of his type are an asset to any community.