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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of John H. HELLER 

Pages 838 & 841, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin 

[Surnames: ACKERSON, BAUGHMAN, CADWALADER, HEDRICK, HELLER, HOLMES, KELLER, SCOTT, SHERWOOD, STERRAT, VanAUGHA, WELLS]
(Note: See biography of Daniel HELLER above for different spellings of some names) 

    
JOHN H. HELLER was born December 1, 1815, in Richland County, Ohio, a few miles from Ashland, and is a son of John and Belinda Heller. His father was of German descent, and was born Nov. 21, 1786, and his mother, who previous to her marriage was Belinda Van Augha, of New Jersey, was a descendant of an old and aristocratic German family. Their marriage took place in Pennsylvania, where they resided for a number of years, afterward moving to Ohio and locating in Richland County. In 1835 they removed to Illinois, settling in Putman Township, this county, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land partially improved, and where they made a permanent home. The father died November 30, 1863, and the mother also died in the same month and year. They were the parents of nine children, of whom those now living are: Daniel, John H., Peter, Simon, William Harrison and Eliza (Mrs. Samuel Wells.) 
    
The father of our subject was a prominent and influential man, and accumulated a large amount of property during his lifetime. He was at one time a tanner, indeed, was engaged in business in a tannery, still house, brick yard and farm at one and the same time. Politically, he was a Democrat, and religiously, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject received a common-school education in a district school of Ohio, and while in that State learned the business of a tanner under the direction of his father. After coming to Illinois, he and his brother Daniel started a tannery at Cuba, and for a number of years continued to run it most successfully. At a later date he devoted his attention to farming, and was afterward interested in a shoe store and harness shop in Cuba for a number of years. He then accepted a clerkship in the store of Dugald Sterrat, and later entered into a partnership with John L. Keller in a grocery business, the firm name being Keller & Heller. But at the end of three years Mr. Heller retired from business, settling upon his present estate. 
    
Our subject was married to Miss Hannah Baughman, daughter of Jacob Baughman, on January 30, 1839. Their union was blessed with five children, viz: Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Hedrick, of Putman Township; James M., deceased; Daniel W., who married Miss Mary Scott, and lives in Putman Township; Eli, who died in early infancy; and Cyrus, who married Miss Sherwood, and lives in Arkansas. 
    
Mrs. Heller died February 12, 1882, and on September 14, 1886, he married Mrs. Mary A. Holmes, daughter of Garrett and Mary (Ackerson) Ackerson. Mr. Ackerson resided in Ohio for a number of years after his marriage, and removing to Illinois in 1828, settled in Sangamon County. The following year he moved to Fulton County, locating in Lewistown Township, where he made his permanent home. At that time the country was very wild, and the Indians frequently visited their house. Mr. Ackerson was a prominent man and held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years, and was also a member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Ackerson died many years ago, but Mr. Ackerson survived until recently. They were the parents of eight children, of whom two are living at the present time, viz: Mrs. Heller, and Mrs. J. Cadwallader, who lives near Ipava. 
    
Mrs. Heller was born in Ohio May 17, 1819, and received her education in the common schools of that State. Previous to her marriage with Mr. Heller she had been married three times, her last husband being William Holmes. She is a member of the Episcopal Church, but attends the Methodist Protestant Church with her husband, and they are liberal supporters of all religious matters. Mr. Heller was Assessor of Putman Township for several years, Justice of the Peace four years and also served as Collector and is now a School Director. At present he is agent for the Rockford & Glens Falls Insurance Company. 
    
Mr. Heller has always taken an active part in politics, being a Democrat at one time, but now a Prohibitionist. A strictly moral man himself, he advocates temperance, and has done much for this cause in the community in which he resides. Although seventy-five years of age, he continues his interest in business matters, and possesses much influence in mercantile, religious and social circles. He owns a beautiful house that is surrounded by large, well-kept gardens, and is besides the owner of a valuable and highly cultivated farm. He is a man of vast experience and his honorable career has won for him many friends.