Abram Heinlen
Abram Heinlen, general farmer and representative citizen of Kingston Township, of which he was a trustee for six years, resides on his valuable farm of 102 acres, all of which he has cleared with the exception of fifteen acres. Mr. Heinlen was born in Morrow County. Ohio, October 14, 1839, and is a son of Jacob and .Mary (Wittenberg) Heinlen.
Jacob Heinlen was born in Germany, March 16, 1799, and died in Ohio. June 12, 1874. After reaching America he worked hard and soon paid the man who had advanced his passage money. On the same sailing vessel came Mary Wittenberg, who was also born in Germany, December 8, 1803. They both landed in Ohio in 1818, where they became acquainted and subsequently were married. Jacob Heinlen entered 45 acres of Government land in Westfield Township, Morrow County, although at that time the territory was all known as Delaware County. He resided on his land there until the close of his life, a sturdy German farmer, one who gained and kept the respect of all who knew him. His wife survived him but two years, her death taking place July 19, 1876. They had thirteen children, the six survivors of the family being the following: Emanuel, residing in North Missouri; Rebecca, who married Eli Rhodes, residing in Will County, Illinois; Abram; Mrs. Elizabeth Petre, widow, residing at Denver, Colorado; Lydia. who married Hiram Howard, residing at Marshall, Saline County, Missouri; and Reuben, residing at Syracuse, Kansas.
Abram Heinlen secured a good district school education and remained with his parents until the fall following the opening of the Civil War. Mr. Heinlen was a loyal supporter of the Government and in October, 1861, after the summer work on the farm was completed, he enlisted for service, entering Company B, Forty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Marshman. The Forty-third Regiment was assigned to duty in the Army of the Mississippi, where it gave a good account of itself, bearing off honors for gallantry in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10 and Corinth. The exposure and hardship fell too heavily on Mr. Heinlen, and in the fall of 1862, he was honorably discharged on account of disability. After his return he worked on various farms for some years before he bought his present property in Kingston Township. At that time it was a dense tract of timber, but Mr. Heinlen has cleared all but one fine piece of fifteen acres and has all the rest under good cultivation. He is one of the township's industrious men and is numbered with her substantial ones.
Mr. Heinlen was married (first) in February, 1870, to Lydia E. Schults, who died in May, 1891, and is buried in Marlborough Township, Morrow County, Ohio. She was a daughter of John and Susan (Gingrich) Schults, who were natives of Pennsylvania. There were two children born to this marriage, namely: Thomas I., born July 5, 1871, a mechanic, residing in Delaware Township; and Alton Ray, born October 19, 1873, residing at home. Mr. Heinlen was married (second) September 27, 1892, to Mrs. Cordelia (Cross) Christ, who is a daughter of Reynolds and Louisa (Farley) Cross, and was the widow of Julius V. Christ, who died February 8, 1889. Mr. Christ left two children: Lewis W., residing in Morrow County, and Mrs. Samuel Hutchison, residing in Kingston Township.
Politically, Mr. Heinlen is a Republican and he has served in township offices; for six years being township trustee. He is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and formerly a trustee.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908