W. D. Heffner
W. D. Heffner, one of Lima's most respected citizens, who has been connected with the railroad affairs for over a quarter of a century in this locality is also a veteran of the Civil War in which he bore himself with a bravery that brought honorable promotion. Mr. Heffner was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1846, and is a son of David and Catherine (Measel) Heffner.
The father of Mr. Heffner was a native of Maryland and was born and reared at Frederick City. By trade he was a farmer and millwright. He moved to Miami County, Ohio, and from there to Auglaize County, where his death subsequently occurred. He married Catherine Measel and they had a family of four sons and five daughters; of these, two sons and three daughters still survive. Of the four sons who entered the Union service, Joseph, who is now deceased, lost a leg at the battle of Chickamauga; Charles died after the close of the war; and George and W. D. are residents of Lima.
W. D. Heffner was five years old when his parents moved to Auglaize County, and it was from his father's farm that our subject, then but a youth of 15 years, entered the service of his country. It was in November, 1861, that he enlisted in Company E., 67th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., was mustered in at Columbus and proceeded with the command to Martinsburg, Virginia, and in the spring of 1862, but a few months after leaving the peaceful surroundings of his home, that he participated in his first battle, that of Winchester. On March 23, 1862, he fought against General "Stonewall" Jackson, his regiment facing the 26th Mississippi Tigers, Jackson's favorite command. Then followed the weary marches and various hardships of a soldier's life, and before he had attained man's estate he had faced danger and death on a score of battle-fields. During his service, which extended until the close of the war, he participated in these battles: Front Royal, Fort Republic, Harrison Landing, Bermuda Hundred, Folly Island, Morris Island, charge on Fort Wagoner, siege of Fort Sumter, Johnson's Island, Wire Bottom Church, the long siege of Petersburg, Chapin's Farm (where he was wounded), the battle before Richmond, Bunker Hill, New Market, Strausburg, charge on Fort Gregg, and was present at the final surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. Entering the army as a private, Mr. Heffner was mustered out of the service as a sergeant.
After the close of the war, Mr. Heffner returned to his home in Auglaize County, and in 1870 came to Lima and entered into the employ of the C., H & D. Railway Company. He served one year as brakeman, was then promoted for efficiency, and for 28 years continued on the road in the capacity of freight and passenger conductor. He sent in his resignation in 1895, but did not sever his connection with this corporation, as since that year he has been foreman of its freight house at Lima.He is also interested in city real estate.
In 1869 Mr. Heffner was married to Sarah Spyker, who was a daughter of Samuel Spyker, a pioneer of this county. Mrs. Heffner died in 1872, leaving a daughter, Hattie, who is the wife of George Darling, a business man at New Castle, Ohio. In 1875 Mr. Heffner was married to Urania F. Bowers, a daughter of Jacob Bowers, and they have three children, viz: Mettie, wife of E. M. Stradley, and Ethel, wife of J. R. Meiley, both of Lima; and Ray, living at home. The family is connected with the First Baptist Church. Mr. Heffner is quartermaster of the Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., Lima, Ohio, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.