Free Genealogy Biography of Peter Heefner,
Pennsylvania Volunteer of the Civil War
Peter Heefner
Peter Heefner, passenger agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Chambersburg, was born in Quincy Township, Franklin County, Penn., March 16, 1823, son of John W. and E. (Mann) Heefner. John Heefner, his grandfather, was a pioneer of Quincy Township, the original settler, where Funkstown now stands; he was a large landholder, and built a mill and distillery in an early day. He came to America with his parents when nine years of age, and his death occurred in 1826 or 1827.
John W. resided on a portion of the home place the greater part of his life. He reared to maturity four children, two of whom are living — Peter and Levi, the latter a resident of Guilford Township. John W. Heefner died about 1854 or 1855.
Peter Heefner was brought up on a farm until he was twenty years old, receiving a fair education in the neighboring schools. About 1843 he went into the butchering business in Funkstown, and about two years later purchased the mercantile business in the same place, from George Lowry, which he conducted for three or four years, and then kept hotel there one year.
In 1850, or thereabouts, he came to Chambersburg and conducted the "Golden Lamb" Hotel for one year, when he returned to Funkstown, took up the butchering business again, which he carried on for some years, and then he engaged in manufacturing lucifer matches, removing the establishment to Chambersburg, in 1859, where he continued the business in a successful manner until the fall of 1862, when he was drafted into the army.
He served out his term in the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 158th Regiment.
On his return. to civil life, ill health compelled him to retire for some time, when he engaged in clerking. Subsequently he embarked in the grocery trade, in which he did a successful business for ten years. About 1876 he opened a railroad agency, with which he has since been identified, representing western railroads, among which is the Union Pacific. He is agent at this place for the Pennsylvania Company. Mr. Heefner was first married December 18, 1844, to Margaret Donnelly, to which marriage were born six children, two of whom are living; his wife died in 1856, and in 1859 he married Lydia Ann Hollenberger, by whom he has one son—Harry Edgar, born March 17, 1863, now residing with his parents.
Our subject, for a period under the Polk administration, served as postmaster of Funkstown; was reappointed to the office but declined further service.
Source: Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania : containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers, and biographical sketches of prominent citizens; Chicago. Genealogical Pub. Co.. 1905. Notes: Prepared in part by George O. Seilhamer.
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