My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM A. HEFFLEFINGER, a prosperous manufacturer of building brick at Newville, Pa., and one of the public-spirited men of the place, was born in Newburg, this county, July 12, 1859, a son of David and Eliza (Baker) Hefflefinger.

The Hefflefingers came originally from Switzerland, settling in Pennsylvania in a very early day. The great-grandfather of our subject, was a fifer in the Revolutionary war. He was an early settler of Lancaster county, but moved to Cumberland county, about 1740, and there died, being buried in Zion cemetery.

Thomas Hefflefinger, the grandfather, married a Miss Watson, and reared a numerous family.

David Hefflefinger, son of Thomas, was born in Cumberland county, on a farm three and one-half miles from Newburg, near Zion church, Sept. 4, 1829. He was a cooper by trade, and followed it until within a short time of his death, which occurred at Newburg. His shop is still standing, and is in a good state of preservation. He married Eliza Baker, who was born in 1835, near Blain, Perry county, and is still living. She is a daughter of Cornelius Baker, an early settler of Cumberland county. This marriage was blessed with ten children, of whom nine lived to maturity: Mary married George McCoy, of Chambersburg; Alice married Rev. J. A. Burkholder, a United Brethren minister; William A.; Annie married Dr. J. B. Shively, of Shippensburg; Calvin, deceased; Frank, deceased: J. Clarence, of Johnstown. Pa.; Milton H., and Ellis are both coopers in Harrisburg.

William A. Hefflefinger was educated in the village school of Newburg until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he began to learn the trade of a cooper with his father, and remained with the latter until he attained his majority. After his marriage, Mr. Hefflefinger settled at Newburg, where he engaged in brickmaking in connection with his trade of cooper, but in 1885, he removed to Newville, where he established a brick yard, engaging in the manufacture of brick, and the manufacture of barrels. His machinery for the manufacture of brick is of the latest and most approved design, and he turns out a very fine quality of product, and enjoys a large local trade. His cooperage business is equally flourishing, and in season he gives employment to a large force of men. The annual output of his brick yard is 500,000. In his cooperage department he manufactures a large amount of flour and apple barrels each year, and the capacity of his plant is not equal to the demand, so that he anticipates extensive changes in the near future. In addition to his other interests Mr. Hefflefinger has a farm of ten acres adjoining the village of Newville, and takes pleasure in superintending its working whenever he can spare a few hours. He and his family reside in a substantial brick residence in Newville, and he owns it as well as other village realty.

On Sept. 4, 1883, Mr. Hefflefinger married Miss Emma Clippinger, of Franklin county, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Hollar) Clippinger. They have become the parents of two children: Audry M., a graduate of the Newville High School, and a very intelligent, charming girl; and Earl C. who died May 14, 1900, when ten years of age. Fraternally Mr. Hefflefinger is a member of Lodge No. 361. A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat, and for three years was an active member of the city council. He has served as judge of election, and has always taken a deep and abiding interest in the welfare of Newville, lending his aid to every measure he has deemed would work to its ultimate benefit. Mr. Hefflefinger has been interested in several business concerns, and was one of the principal organizers of the Newville Spoke and Wheel Works. In addition to being an active, prosperous and progressive business man, he is well informed upon general subjects, and is very well read, for one whose time is so fully occupied.

Mr. and Mrs. Hefflefinger are consistent members of the Church of God, in whose good work they take a very active part, contributing cheerfully of both time and money, and no one is ever turned from their door, although their many charities are done in secret. They are loved by many for their excellent traits of character, and they stand very high socially in the village which owes so much to their enterprise and public-spirit, as well as to their kindness of heart.