My Genealogy Hound

HARRY E. HELLER. This gentleman, who is one of the energetic and enterprising young men of Allentown, holds the position of agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in this city. He is a native of Allentown, and was born July 12, 1862.

Peter Heller, father of our subject, was a son of John Heller, whose ancestors came across the Atlantic 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 black-smithing 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.

Harry E. received his education in the city schools of his native place, and on reaching his thirteenth year entered the employ of the Adams Express Company, remaining with them for a period of eleven years. July 1, 1886, he accepted the position of clerk of the freight and ticket department of the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Allentown, but was obliged to offer his resignation to that company in November of the same year, owing to his appointment as Traveling Passenger Agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, to succeed Col. R. W. Gillespie, who in turn had been made General Southern Agent, with headquarters at New Orleans. Mr. Heller in his present position has charge of the passenger and freight interests for the above company through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and southern New York. He possesses a thorough knowledge of railroading in its many branches, and is fully qualified to be the incumbent of his present responsible position.

For six years previous to 1886, our subject was in the employ of the above road, having charge of the correspondence and advertising for the agent who was located here, most of the work of which position he accomplished at night. The lady to whom he was married, December 8, 1891, was Miss Emma D., daughter of John S. and Jennie (Walker) Thomas, of Detroit, Mich. She was born June 30, 1864, in Detroit, Mich., and by her union with our subject has become the mother of two sons, Edward Peter and Thomas Hartz.

Politically a Democrat, our subject takes a leading part in local matters, and is well posted on all issues of the hour. He is a member of Barger Lodge No. 333, F. & A. M. He occupies a prominent place among the railroad men of the county, and has an extensive acquaintance with that class throughout the East and West. Mr. Heller and his family occupy a fine residence at No. 1145 Walnut Street, and few people in the county are more widely, and none more favorably known than they.