William L. Heise, of Oneco Township, has been a resident of the county for a period of thirty-one years, coming here one year before his father, when a young man twenty-two years of age. He was reared to farming pursuits, to which he has given his attention his entire life. He commenced as an independent agriculturist on his own account soon after his marriage, which occurred in 1857. He then located upon a tract of land in Oneco Township, which has since been his abiding-place, and where he has since been closely identified with the interests of Stephenson County.
Mr. Heise was born in Clearfield County, Pa., Feb. 9, 1835. His parents, Martin and Mary C. (Lowry) Heise, were natives, respectively, of Maryland and Pennsylvania; the latter was born in Columbia County. The grandfathers were both of German descent, and settled in Maryland at an early period in the history of that State. The father of Martin Heise was a cooper by trade, which he followed in connection with farming all his life. He removed from Maryland to Pennsylvania when of middle age and located in Union County, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying at the age of one hundred and seven years. His son, Martin, was born in Union County in 1810, and remained under the parental roof until about sixteen years of age. He had in the meantime, as soon as he could be spared from his home, worked out by the month. He received no schooling in his early days, but learned to read and write after his marriage. Upon leaving home he repaired to Clearfield County, where he learned the miller's trade, but subsequently abandoned this to engage in lumbering, and afterward took up farming, which he followed in his native State until 1857. He then sold out his property and determined to seek his fortune in Illinois. He came by rail to Freeport and, after a day spent in looking over the city, proceeded to Rock Run Township, this county, where he rented a farm and continued to reside for two years. He then purchased land in Oneco Township, which he farmed in a modest way, and where his death occurred in the spring of 1870, when he was sixty years of age.
The mother of our subject, who became the wife of Martin Heise about 1833 or 1834, was the daughter of William Lowry, a native of Eastern Pennsylvania, who was a weaver by trade. She was twenty-one years of age when married, and accompanied her husband to this county, where her death took place in 1881, her husband having died in 1870. The children born to this household consisted of four sons and five daughters, of whom the two youngest sons, John and Aaron, yielded up their lives as a sacrifice to their country in the late war, John being killed in battle and Aaron dying in the hospital at Scottsboro. The seven surviving children, with the exception of one sister, who is living in Pennsylvania, are residents of this county.
The subject of our sketch remained a member of his father's household until reaching his majority and in the summer of 1856 bid adieu to his native hills and migrated northwestward into Wisconsin. His stay there, however, was comparatively brief, as in August following he came to this county, taking up his residence first at Freeport, and being employed mostly on a farm in Lancaster Township for two years following. Subsequently he rented land in Harlem Township until 1861, but the results not being entirely satisfactory, he relieved himself of that venture and employed himself as before. In 1864 he purchased thirty-nine acres on section 30, in Oneco Township, and then began in earnest to cultivate the soil and build up for himself and family a permanent home. The stimulus of ownership had a marked effect, and the result was eminently satisfactory. He prospered in his operations, and in time was enabled to add to his real-estate until he now has nearly 100 acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation and supplied with comfortable farm buildings. In the meantime, also, his straightforward and upright course has commended him to the respect and confidence of his fellow-townsmen, and he has officiated as School Director for a period of twelve years. He is one of the most reliable members of the Republican party, and keeps himself well posted upon matters of general interest.
The marriage of Mr. Heise took place in Harlem Township, April 26, 1857, the maiden of his choice being Miss Susanna Cole, who was born in Lycoming County, Pa., Jan. 12, 1840. Her parents, George and Mary Cole, were natives of Berks County, whence they emigrated in 1850 and located in Harlem Township, this county. They are now in Harlem. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Heise results in the birth of fifteen children, two of whom died in early childhood and one when eight years of age. Their eldest son, George, is employed in Waddams Township; Ira, who learned the carpenter's trade, is in New Mexico; Anna is a resident of Lena; Ida is the wife of F. Ferringer, also of Lena; Priscilla, Nettie and Mina are worthily employed in different parts of Oneco Township. The parents and children are numbered among the most valued members of the United Brethren Church at Pleasant Grove, and enjoy in a marked degree the respect of the people around them.
The subject of our sketch, in early manhood, identified himself with the Whig party, but after its abandonment, heartily endorsed the Republican principles. Both he and his estimable wife were members in good standing of the United Brethren and Lutheran Churches.
Contributed by Karen Hammer
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 p. 394-97
