Johan Michael Heller was a direct ancestor of William J. Heller, the subject- of this sketch, and was known as Michael, the elder (Alt vater Mike). Early in life he purchased a farm on Saucon creek, in what is now the entire west side of the main street in Hellertown. In 1746 he built a stone house which is still standing. He became the founder of Hellertown, and was an extensive land owner, prospering in all his business affairs, but lost very heavily through the depreciation of currency during the Revolution, which, together with his contributions to the Revolutionary cause, and his gift of several hundred-acre farms to each of his children, left him comparatively a poor man at the time of his death. His team was the first to leave Saucon Vallev loaded with provisions for the starving army at Valley Forge. However, he gave only assistance of this character, but rendered active service in behalf of the cause of liberty as a lieutenant in the army.

Johan Simon Heller, the second son, had sixteen children, four of whom, Jacob, John, Abraham and Simon, served in the Revolutionary War. Johan Michael Heller, the third son, became a very extensive landowner, was the founder of Hellertown, and there, in 1746, built a stone house, which is yet standing. He gave each of his children a farm containing several hundred acres, and lost very heavily through the depreciation of currency during the Revolutionary War. But, nevertheless, his team was the first to leave the Saucon Valley loaded with provisions for Washington's needy soldiers at Valley Forge. He was also a lieutenant in the army, and two of his sons were also in the service.