My Genealogy Hound

JACOB WAYNE HEEBNER, youngest child of Henry L. and Catharine (Schutt) Heebner, is a native of Norriton township, where he was born March 1, 1865. The Heebners are an old family in Montgomery county, of Schwenkfelder ancestry.

Henry L. Heebner (father) born December 8, 1826, was the oldest son of Joseph R. and Susanna (Letherach) Heebner. He was born on the old Heebner homestead, in Norriton township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the schools of the township, and on coming to the years of manhood, became a successful farmer, continuing in that occupation until the later years of his life, when he lived retired. He was a model farmer, a faithful husband and father and a good citizen, who enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. In politics he was a Republican and held the office of school director in Norriton for several years. He died February 26, 1901. His wife is living. Their children are: Mary S., born January 7, 1854; Martha (deceased) born November 17, 1856; Catherine S., born March 2, 1861; J. Wayne, subject of this sketch. Catharine (mother) is the daughter of Jacob Schutt. She married Mr. Heebner, December 7, 1851.

Joseph R. Heebner (grandfather) was the son of Abraham and Catharine (Rittenhouse) Heebner. He married Susanna, daughter of Henry Letherach, March 21, 1826. Their children are: Henry L. (father); Abraham L., born September 5, 1828; David L., born August 25, 1830, and died at the age of three days; Catharine, born December 24, 1831; Ann, born February 9, 1834; Benjamin L., born August 17, 1835; Joseph L., born April 7, 1837; William L., born January 1, 1840; and Enoch M., born June 20, 1843.

Abraham Heebner (great-grandfather) was the son of Christopher and Susanna (Wiegner) Heebner. His marriage to Catharine, daughter of Matthias Rittenhouse, took place December 1, 1791. Their children were: Sarah, born in 1792; Hannah, in 1794; Christopher and John, who died in infancy; Joseph, born in 1799; Susanna, in 1801; Catharine, in 1804; Rebecca, in 1806; Mary, in 1808; and Elizabeth, in 1811. Abraham Heebner died November 25, 1846. He lived on the farm in Norriton township afterwards occupied by Henry L, and J. Wayne Heebner, his descendants. Catharine, his widow, died September 27, 1851.

Christopher Heebner (great-great-grandfather) was the son of David Huebner or Heebner, the immigrant, who came to Pennsylvania with his wife Maria in 1734, along with the tide of Schwenkfelder immigration. Their children were Christopher, Susanna, Rosanna and George. David died in 1784 and his widow in 1793. Christopher married Susanna Wiegner, daughter of Hans Wiegner, May 3, 1757. Their children were: Melchior, born 1759, died 1781; John, 1761-1824; Sarah, 1763-1833; Abraham (great-grandfather) 1766-1846; Christopher, 1770; Susanna, 1773-1777; David, 1778-1783. Susanna, wife of Christopher Heebner, died January 17, 1814, aged seventy-six years. He died August 21, 1827, aged eighty years.

J. Wayne Heebner was educated in the township schools, finishing his schooling in Norristown, and then going back to the farm where he has remained ever since. Mr. Heebner married, in 1886, Miss Mary A. Wismer, daughter of Christian and Sarah (Cole) Wismer, the father being a farmer of Upper Providence township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. They have three children, Grace, Ralph and Earl. Mr. Heebner is a Republican in politics, and is active in party affairs, although not an office seeker in any sense of the term. Like his father he has held the position of school director and is still a member of the township school board, manifesting much interest in educational progress. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Order of Heptasophs, showing an active interest in each organization. He is an attendant at the services in the Worcester Schwenkfelder church, with his family. Mr. Heebner is one of the progressive farmers of Norriton and is respected by all who know him.