From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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THOMAS HELLER 
	Thomas Heller lives six miles south from Colville on land he took by 
squatter's right in 1860. He is one of the oldest pioneers,is well known all 
over the valley,and is esteemed by all.
   Thomas Heller was born in Jefferson county,Virginia,on August 30,1833,and
with his parents went to Missouri,thence to southern Illinois and finally
to Iowa. He received his schooling in these four states and when seventeen
learned the cabinet maker's trade. In 1854 Mr.Heller crossed the plains to
the Willamette valley and there wrought at his trade and on the farm. In 1855
he enlisted under Captain Lawton and served a year, going to The Dalles,Walla
Walla,and other points in fighting the Indians. He was finally mustered out
at Albany, Oregon,in August,1856. Then he returned to The Dalles and was soon
in the employ of the government as teamster. In this capacity he met Colonel
Steptoe in his retreat from the memorable fight with the Indians. In 1860
Mr.Heller came to the Colville valley and squatted on his present land. It
proved to be one of the three donation claims and he has never used his
homestead right on it. Mr. Heller has devoted great labor to improving the
estate and adding to its acreage, He has good buildings and receives as 
annual returns nearly four thousand bushels of grain,one hundred and fifty 
tons of hay,and much other productions. He has bands of stock and is one of 
the prosperous men of the valley.
   In January,1862 Mr.Heller married Miss Esther,Daughter of Joseph and Mary
A. Jangreau,of Colville. To this union,seven children have been born, Mrs.
Charles Haines,living in Springdale; Philonise,in Ferry county,Washington;
Lucy,a widow with her parents and the mother of four children, Charles,Alice,
Elvina,and Mamie; Mercelina,deceased. Frank; Emeline,wife of Fred Whitten
in Springdale; and Eliza,wife of John Smith ,in Colville. 
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