CHRISTOPHER HUBNER (HEEBNER) [E 199] and his DESCENDANTS

CHRISTOPHER HUBNER (HEEBNER) [E 199] and his DESCENDANTS

[199] CHRISTOPHER HUBNER [E 199], b Jan., 1690, in Nieder Harpersdorf; d Sept 26, 1763; s Christopher Illibner; m Nov. 8, 1711, MARIA JACKEL (YEAKEL) [E 200], b Apr., 1693; d July 10, 1768; dau Hansz and Maria Jackel.

Christopher Hubner and wife came to Pa. Sept. 26, 1737, with their son, Hans Christopher, and settled in Salford Township, Montg. Co., Pa., where he was known as the "husbandman of Salford Township." [Vid. Homes and Burial Places.] He and his wife are buried in the private cemetery located in Worcester Twp., Pa., near Cedars, once the property of their son, Hans Christopher, but now (1920) occupied by Oswin Kriebel. Christopher Hubner was a brother to Rosina, the wife of Balthasar Heydrick [52a], and to David Heebner [E 21], and Regina Jackie [E 160]. He had a brother, Abraham Hubner, who was a cobbler in Nieder Hdrf.

Two children are accounted for:

Rosina, b Feb. 6, 1713, in N. Hdrf.; baptized Feb. 7, 1713; sponsors: George Jackel, Susanna Jackel, and Anna Beyer. She m Elias Scharffenberger of N. Hdrf., and occupied the original Christopher Hubner homestead. She did not migrate to Pa., and d May 7, 1790.

[199-1] 2. Hans Christopher [E 201], b Dec. 5, 1718; baptized Dec. 6, 1718; sponsors: Christof Kriebel, George Kriebel, and Anna Jackel; d Jan. 30, 1804; m Barbara Schultz [E 153].

Both the Harpersdorf Church Records and letters in the S. H. L. are evidence for data regarding Rosina Heebner. Letters in the S.H.L., dated Apr. 6, 1736, and May 18, 1766, respectively, were written by Rosina Scharffenbergin, geborne Hiibnerin. The address on the former letter reads:

"Dices Briflein zu kommen
An meinen Liben Vater

Christoph H iibnern

zu selbst Eigener eroffnung-"

(This letter is sent to my dear father, Christopher Heebner, to be opened by himself.) The signature of the missive of May 18, 1766, reads thus:

"Rosina Scharffenbergerin

zu kommen an Hans Christoph Hiibnern

m(einen) Bruder"

(Rosina Scharffenberger, addressed to Hans Christopher Heebner, my brother.)

[199-1] HANS CHRISTOPHER HEEBNER [E 201], b Dec. 5, 1718; d Jan. 30, 1804; s Christopher and Maria (Yeakel) Heebner [199]; m Oct. 21, 1746, by Rev. Balthasar Hoffman to BARBARA SCHULTZ [E 153], b July 5, 1720; d Jan. 26, 1786; dau Balthasar and Susanna (Dietrich) Schultz [149]. He was a farmer and lived in Worcester Twp., Pa. Place of burial in the private cemetery on the farm now (1920) owned and occupied by Oswin Kriebel, formerly known as the "William G. Freed" farm.

Children (6):

[25-6a] 1. Rosanna (Rosina), b Dee. 9, 1747; d May 22, 1775; m Rev. Melchior Kriebel.

Susanna, b Apr. 12, 1750; d Mar. 1, 1818; single.

Elizabeth, b June 24, 1752; d Oct. 7, 1796; single.

Isaac, b Aug. 1, 1754; d June 19, 1776; single.

Job, b Sept. 4, 1757; d July 24, 1781; single.

[199-2] 6. Abraham, b Feb. 29, 1760; d Dec. 26, 1838; m Christina Wagner.

Hans Christopher Heebner came to Pa. in 1737 with his parents. He must have settled in Frederick Twp., for we find that in June, 1756, Hans Christopher Heebner, "yeoman" of Frederick Twp., bought from John Johnson in Worcester Twp., 185 acres of land. [Vid. Homes and Burial Places.] Prior to this purchase he had been renting the farm of his uncle, Balthasar Heydrick.

GENEALOGICAL RECORD OF THE SCHWENKFELDER FAMILIES 1559

Hans Christopher Heebner was for thirty years an active transcriber and compiler of hymns and other compositions. He wrote three folio volumes of hymns-1758, 1759, 1765. He also wrote three massive collections of sermons in folio, and numerous quartos of hymns and homilies. In the quantity of manuscript produced, he leads all the transcribers of hymns of his time in America, with the possible exception of Balzer Hoffman. He also copied the later rearrangement of the Weiss Hymn-book to which he added one hundred and twenty hymns. From 1760 to 1780 he was one of the prominent leaders in the movement for the organization of the Schwenkfelder Society, and at his home many meetings of worship were held on Sundays before the Church edifices were erected.

We also find him a contributor to the fund to establish the Schwenkfelder schools. He lived on the farm in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., Pa., near Cedars, occupied (1920) by Oswin Kriebel [25-360], and is buried in the private burial plot on that farm, as previously stated.

[199-2] ABRAHAM HEEBNER, b Feb. 29, 1760; d Dec. 26, 1838; s Hans Christopher and Barbara (Schultz) Heebner [199-1]; m May 11, 1790, by Rev. Christopher Hoffman to CHRISTINA WAGNER, b Feb. 17, 1764; d Apr. 18, 1830; dau Christopher and Susanna (Heebner) Wagner [196-1].

Children (10):

Isaac, b June 16, 1791; d Sept. 28, 1823.

[199-3a] 2. Jacob, b June 19, 1793; d Nov. 18, 1862; m ^{1. Bathsheba Kriebel.}

[199-3b] 2. Catharine Heydrick.

Sarah, b Sept. 24, 1794; d before 1879; no further data.

Susanna, b Jan. 5, 1797; d before 1879; no further data.

[25-33] 5. Deborah, b June 28, 1799; d Apr. 30, 1883; m George Kriebel. 6. and 7. Twins, b Aug. 8, 1801_; d Aug. 14, 1801.

[199-4] 8. Abraham, b Nov. 19, 1802; d Oct. 4, 1877; m Susanna Heebner.

David, b Feb. 5, 1805; d Oct. 12, 1823.

Maria, b Aug. 16, 1807; d Oct. 14, 1868.

[199-3a] JACOB HEEBNER, b June 19, 1793; d Nov. 18, 1862; s Abraham and Christina (Wagner) Heebner [199-2]; m Nov. 12, 1843, BATHSHEBA KRIEBEL, b July 8, 1819; d June 18, 1845; dau Christopher and Regina (Schultz) Kriebel [19-7]. It is stated that Bathsheba Heebner was killed by a horse jumping over her and crushing her head. [B. H.R.] No issue.

[199-3b] JACOB HEEBNER, same as above, in 2nd time, Feb. 11, 1847, CATHARINE HEY-DRICK, b Feb. 5, 1815; d May 29, 1862; dau George and Susanna (Kriebel) Heydrick [52a-2b]. No issue.

[199-4] ABRAHAM HEEBNER, b Nov. 19, 1802; d Oct. 4, 1877; s Abraham and Christina (Wagner) Heebner [199-2]; m May 22, 1828, SUSANNA HEEBNER, b June 25, 1810; d Dec. 21, 1879; dau Henry and Anna (Schultz) Heebner [21-7]. Abraham Heebner was a farmer and lived in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., Pa., on the farm now (1922) occupied by his grandson, John K. Heebner [199-7].

Children (9):

Elias, b July 4, 1832; d Nov. 10, 1902; single.

Christina, b Jan. 9, 1834; d Nov. 20, 1834.

[199-5] 3. Henry H., b Feb. 11, 1836; d June 25, 1908; in Susanna Krauss. 4. Anna Maria, b Aug. 11, 1838; d Nov. 3, 1855.

[199-6] 5. Sarah, b July 24, 1841; d Apr. 14, 1921; m Simon Hoot.
6. Deborah, b May 5, 1845; d Apr. 12, 1846.

[161-60] 7. Anna H., b Apr. 28, 1847; d July 18, 1908; m Henry R. Anders. 8. and 9. Twin, sons, b 1850; d 1850.

During the troublesome times of the American Revolution, on one occasion we find Washington's Army encamped at the Pennypacker Mills near Schwenksville, Pa. A large part of the army at one time moved in an easterly direction, following the route of the present Skippack road. Upon reaching Wentz's hotel, then a short distance above the present village of Center Point, on land now belonging to William H. Seipt, they made inquiry for a good place to feed their horses. They were directed to the large farm of Christopher Wagner (now owned by John K. Heebner). Mr. Wagner happening to be in the vicinity overheard the inquiry and hurriedly started on foot for his home. But ere he reached his destination a large number of cavalrymen had already arrived. They rode their horses into the Wagner

1560 GENEALOGICAL RECORD OF THE SCHWENKFELDER FAMILIES

barnyard, dismounted and closed the gates. They then removed the bridles and saddles, while a number of soldiers went up into the grain mows of the barn, helping themselves to wheat and oats in the sheaves, and strewed a plentiful supply in the barnyard for their horses. [Schwenkfeldian, Vol. 6, p 29.]

[199-5] HENRY H. HEEBNER, b Feb. 11, 1836; d June 25, 1908; s Abraham and Susanna (Heebner) Heebner [199-4]; m Oct. 26, 1867, SUSANNA KRAUSS, b Apr. 19, 1844; d Oct. 24, 1910; dau Joseph and Susanna (Schultz-Reinewald) Krauss [149-15]. Henry Heebner was a highly respected, prosperous farmer and lived on the farm in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., now (1922) occupied by his son, John.

Children, (7):

Abraham, b Nov. 20, 1869; d Apr. 9, 1872.

[199-7] 2. John K., b Jan. 9, 1871; m Emma Jane Anders.

Ellen K., b Apr. 2, 1872; dressmaker; Pennsburg, Pa.

*4. Flora K., b Dec. 26, 1874; missionary at Taikuhsien, Shansi, China.

f5. Harvey K. (rev.), b Feb. 18, 1877; Pastor, Phila. Schwenkfelder Church.

[25-219] 6. Debora K., b Mar. 7, 1880; m Irwin S. Kriebel. 7. Elsie K., b Feb. 17, 1886; Pennsburg, Pa.

*Flora Krauss Heebner was born in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. Her early education was procured in the public schools of her native township, and she was graduated from the Stump Hall Graded School in 1891. In the summer of this year she attended the Sumneytown Academy, Montg. Co., taught by Prof. Henry E. Hartzell. In the fall she entered the West Chester State Normal School, and attended this institution for two years. She then entered Perkiomen Seminary in the fall of 1894, and for two years was a student-teacher, being graduated with the class of 1896. For three years she taught in the public schools in Montg. Co., and in the fall of 1899, she with her brother, Harvey, entered Oberlin College, Ohio, and with him was graduated in the class of 1903. During the summer vacation of 1903 she was a Home Missionary of the American Sabbath School Association among the mountain whites in Tennessee. In the fall of 1903 she was employed by the Sehwenkfelder Mission Board as associate to Rev. E. E. S. Johnson, pastor of the First Schwenkfelder Church of Philadelphia, at 30th and Cumberland Sts. On Aug. 30, 1904, having received her appointment from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, she sailed from San Francisco for China. After spending a year in language study in Tung Chou, near Pekin, she proceeded to what has ever since been her home and field of work—Tai Ku Hsien, Shansi. China, four hundred miles west of Pekin. In this busy field, which had been destroyed by the Boxers in 1900, she is teacher-evangelist to girls and women. She has been home on two furloughs, in 1910 and in 1918.

Rev. Harvey Krauss Heebner was born in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. Having attended the Stump Hall Public School of the township, he was graduated in 1893 and entered Perkiomen Seminary in the fall. He completed the college preparatory course in 1896. Then for three years he taught in the public schools of Montgomery Co., whereupon he with his sister, Flora, entered Oberlin College, Ohio, in the fall of 1899, and was graduated with her in the class of 1903. Having decided to enter the ministry, in the summer of 1903 he became home missionary pastor of the Somers-Mooreland circuit, near Fort Dodge, Iowa, under the auspices of the Congregational Church. After finishing one year in the Oberlin Theological Seminary, at Oberlin, Ohio, he became acting pastor of the Congregational Church in Berea, Ohio, for the summer of 1904. In the fall of this year, he entered the Union Theological Seminary in New York City and was graduated in 1906. In connection with his work there, he also studied in Columbia University and was a member of the staff of workers in the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church House. On September 23, 1906, he was ordained and installed as pastor of the First Schwenkfelder Church of Philadelphia, which congregation he has served most faithfully and acceptably ever since. In 1914 he spent four months on leave of absence, visiting Palestine and the Levant. During the World War, he spent ten months on leave as Y. M. C. A. Secretary in Camp Stuart, Newport News, Virginia. He is a Trustee of Perkiomen School, Secretary of the Mission Board, and Acting Editor of "The Schwenkfeldian."

Rev. Heebner's contagious optimism is an inspiration to his associates in both church and Sunday School work. Generous and unselfish, he ministers alike to Catholic, Gentile and Jew, and has baptized and taken into the Philadelphia Church members brought up in all these faiths. The Hebrew element having moved into the neighborhood of the Philadelphia Church, Rev. Heebner is a welcome caller in the homes of these people, and many in turn come to hear him preach. When sickness and death enter

GENEALOGICAL RECORD OF THE SCHWENKFELDER FAMILIES 1561 •

a household, irrespective of creed, Rev. Heebner is called upon by the residents of the neighborhood to comfort the sick and to administer the rites of burial.

[199-6] SARAH H. HEEBNER, b July 24, 1841; d Apr. 14, 1921; dau Abraham and Susanna (Heebner) Heebner [199-4]; m Nov. 8, 1884, SIMON J. HOOT, b Nov. 5, 1836; d Jan. 12, 1915. Mr. Hoot was a plasterer by trade; lived in Norristown, Pa. No issue.

[199-7] JOHN K. HEEBNER, b Jan. 9, 1871; s Henry H. and Susanna (Krauss) Heebner [199-5]; m Dec. 1, 1894, EMMA JANE ANDERS, b Sept. 25, 1874; dau William H. and Susanna (Anders) Anders [161-49]. Mr. Heebner is one of the leading and prosperous farmers of Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., Pa., and lives on the farm owned and occupied by his father and grandfather. He has for many years been the faithful Superintendent of the Sunday School connected with the Worcester Schwenk-felder Church. Address: Norristown, R. D. 2, Pa. (1922.)

Children (6):

[199-8] 1. Ernest Anders, b May 2, 1896; m Mary Francena Anderson.

Lloyd, b Aug. 13, 1898.

Reba, b Nov. 9, 1900.

Gladys, b Mar. 10, 1903.

Curtis, b Apr. 6, 1907.

Doris, b Feb. 27, 1917.

[199-8] ERNEST ANDERS HEEBNER, b May 2, 1896; s John K. and Emma J. (Anders) Heebner [199-7]; m June 9, 1920, MARY FRANCENA ANDERSON, b Apr. 9, 1899; dau Wilson B. and Mary Sophia (Trucksess) Anderson. Mr. Heebner is a teacher and is principal of the Hatfield (Pa.) High School. (1920.) Address, Norristown, R. D. 2, Pa.