Of Allentown

He received such education as was afforded by the local schools of his native village and left his father's farm to learn the trade of blacksmith and wheel-wright, near Senaca Falls, New York. In 1838, he returned to Allentown,Pa., where he followed his trade for some years; he erected and operated a black-smith shop at the corner of South Sixth and Walnut Streets, where he carried on the business until 1838; and then purchased a 'livery stable nearby, on the same street. He continued the livery business for several years in which he ran coaches between the railroad station and hotels; and afterward returned to the black-smith's trade, which he conducted until the year 1884, when he retired. During his residence in Allentown, he acquired considerable property; built his residence on an adjoining lot to his blacksmith shop, and there brought up his family. He was at one time Treasurer of Lehigh county from 1871 to 1873; was a member of St. John's Reformed church; and was not only a liberal contributor to church enterprises, but an earnest Christian worker. He died, November, 1906, at Allentown, Le- high county, Pennsylvania, and was buried at Fairview cemetery. Peter Heller married Anna Hartz, daughter of George Hartz. She was born in 1819, and died in May, 1891, and had issue eight children, viz: i. Charles H. Heller; was Adams Express Company Agent at Allentown; and during the latter years of his life, was Traveling Passenger Agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He married and had issue, viz: William, Florence, Charles H„ Fannie, Howard, Robert, George, Ruth, L~Roy,, Lulu. 2. Florence Heller, died 1902. She was married to Jacob T. Colver, a newspaper publisher. 3. John Hartz Heller, of whom below. 4. George Heller, was the first ticket agent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Wilkes- Barre, Pa.; became District Passenger Agent for said railroad; and served in that capacity for more than thirty years; and died at Wilkes-Barre. 5. Elizabeth Heller, born at Allentown, Pa., married Owen Henry Laub, and for additional information see the Laub sketch. 6. Annie E., was born at Allentown; married to Dr. Harry Y. Horn, who resides at Coplay, and had issue as follows: Matilda, Bella, George, Robert, Anna, Harry. 7. Harry Elwood Heller, was General Freight Agent of the C. B. & Q. R. R., at Kansas City, Mo., for more than thirty-three years; married Emma Thomas, of Detroit, Mich., and had issue, viz: Thomas H., and Margaret W. 8. Mary Irene Heller, born April 3, 1860, at Allentown; married Frank Walter Koch, of Allentown, Pa., the 24th day of July, 1886; and for whose further history see the Koch sketch.

Peter Heller was a son of John Heller, whose ancestors came across the Alantic with eighty Palatine families on the ship " Mortonhouse, " August 24, 1728, settling in Plainfield Township, Northampton County, Pa. He was born on the 17th of September 1816, in Forks Township, in the same county. He assisted his father in working the farm, one of the most flourishing in that section, until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he left home to face the world and seek his fortune elsewhere. Locating in one of the central counties of the state of New York, he there took up the trade of blacksmithing, which he followed successfully for four years, when he removed to Allentown, Pa., in the year 1838. This place he chose for his future home, and here he was married in April, 1841, to Anna Hartz, daughter of George Hartz, at that time the leading builder and contractor of the town, of which the Hartz family were amongst the earliest settlers.

Mr. Heller, after reaching Allentown, opened and conducted one of the most successful blacksmithing shops in eastern Pennsylvania, continuing thus until 1854, when he was compelled to retire on account of failing health. About this time there was an opportunity offered him to purchase one of the finest livery establishments in Allentown, which opportunity he accepted. He at once added a stage line, secured the contract from the United States Government to carry its mails to and from the depot (the Lehigh Valley Railroad having just opened up its road for business about this time) and at the same time he received the contract from the Hope Express Company (now the Adams) to do their hauling of express goods. In 1864, tiring of the livery business, he again went to blacksmithing, continuing until he was seventy-three years of age, when he retired permanently from business. In 1871 he was elected to the office of Treasurer of his county for a term of two years. He also served as a member of both branches of the City Council at different times. Mr. Heller reared a family of eight children, four boys and four girls, seven of whom are living. He is still, at the age of seventy-eight, enjoying good health, is robust and jovial, and has a pleasant word for all his friends.