**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Franklin HELLER [Surnames: BLACK, BROWN, CHURCHILL, HASTY, HELLER, WATSON] HELLER, FRANKLIN A well-known retired farmer, now living in Cuba, Fulton County, was born in Putman Twp., on Sept 13, 1848. He is the son of Daniel and Mary (BLACK) Heller, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. The paternal grandfather was John Heller, a Pennsylvanian. Daniel Heller, the father, came with his parents to Fulton County in 1835, and first located in Farmington Twp. Subsequently, he moved to Putman Twp. and there purchased 160 acres situated a mile southeast of Cuba, which he improved in a most thorough manner. There for a number of years, his father operated a tannery, served as Supervisor of the township and held othr offices. Franklin Heller was educated in the public schools in Cuba. He was one of a family of seven children, four of whom are still living, and in early manhood he assumed the conduct of the home farm. He now owns 240 acres, which he himself farmed until 1901, when he built a fine residence in Cuba, which he occupied in 1902. His farms are now rented. On Feb. 6, 1870, Mr. Heller was united in marriage with Sarah Hasty, who was born in Putman Twp., Fulton County, and died on January 6, 1902. The offspring of this union were four children: Orphie, Mrs. CHURCHILL Lucy V, Mrs. WATSON M. Blanche, Mrs. BROWN Curtis F. Politically, Mr. Heller is a Republican and held the office of Road Commissioner for one term. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the most prominent citizens in this portion of the county.