FATHER OF FORTY ONE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!
"Yes it is so" said the man
"Oh John you must be mistaken" replied his third wife.
"Well I tell you it is so; I ought to know" Was the emphatic reply of John HEFFNER, who lives in Maple St, between Chestnut and Spruce, in this city.
A reporter from the Eagle had called upon Mr HEFFNER to report on the correct history of this much-talked-about great brood of 41 children.
Mr HEFFNER is sparingly built, smokes a short pipe and makes a living in the rag business. He is 65yrs old, and has a pleasant smile and a cheerful greeting for all his friends.
The story of the married life of the man as related by himself, is probably the most remarkable on record.
He was born in Germany in 1815. When he was 25yrs old in 1840 he married his 1st wife, who lived for 8yrs. She had 17 children in that time, twins in the 1st year. The next year another pair of twins. Each successful year thereafter she became the mother of triplets. The 7th year she had only one child. Mrs HEFFNER died and was buried in the village churchyard in Germany.
The Widower had now a family of 17 children, the eldest only 7yrs old. 3 months later a young lady took charge of the children, in time she became the 2nd Mrs HEFFNER.
The 1st wife died in February 1848, in February 1849 the 2nd wife presented Mr HEFFNER with a son, by Christmas the same year she had another child, 5 yrs passed and the HEFFNER family increased with 10 more children a pair of twins born every year. There was a lull for 3 yrs only one child was born.
In 1854 they came to this country and the last three children were born in America. In 1857 his 2nd wife died, they had been married 9 yrs. He had now fathered 32 children, 12 had died leaving 20.
He married a widow in 1858, Mrs HEFFNER number 3, had a child by a previous marriage. She became the mother of 9 children in 10 yrs, by single births. His 3rd wife is still living, none of the first set of 17 children survive, 2 of the children of his 2nd wife are still alive and 3 children of the 3rd wife, 9.
In a period of 28 yrs from 1840 to 1868 the birth of the last child, he had fathered 41 children. The 5 still living are girls. With the Step child added to the list, 42 children have called John HEFFNER Father. He can no longer remember the names of his numerous progeny, only those in later years.
From the "READING EAGLE"
This is information from the U S A 1880 census
Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
John HEFFNER Self M Male W 64 WURTEN BERG Rag Dealer WURTEN BERG WURTEN BERG
Frederica HEFFNER Wife M Female W 46 WURTEN BERG Keeping House WURTEN BERG WURTEN BERG
Lizzie HEFFNER Dau S Female W 16 PA Home WURTEN BERG WURTEN BERG
Maggie HEFFNER Dau S Female W 8 PA School WURTEN BERG WURTEN BERG
Cecelia HEFFNER Dau S Female W 3 PA WURTEN BERG WURTEN BERG
Source Information:
Census Place Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania
Family History Library Film 1255102
NA Film Number T9-1102
Page Number 386C
SNIPPETS
Liverpool Journal 8th Jan 1881
At the Denbigh Council meeting the committee was requested to give a gratuity to Elias JONES for Bravery.
At a special meeting of the Carnarvon Borough Magistrates on Tuesday
Mr J. B. ALLANSON appeared on behalf of Mr Harry HARWOOD of the Eagle and George Hotels, Mr John LLOYD of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Mr Robert JOHN, Chemist, Mr Lewis LEWIS, [Major], of the Nelson Emporium, for application of damages caused to their premises by rioters during the recent borough elections.
Mr HARWOOD stated, On polling day, Nov 30th at 6-30 in the evening, the Eagle Hotel was attacked by a mob, both my wife and I were terrified for our lives, all the windows were smashed. There was a crowd of 2000 near the George Hotel. He was roughly treated and with the aid of a P. C. and a man named JONES, managed to get to safety in Mr HUGHE'S, Ironmongers, Mr Robert PRICHARD, Plumber supported the claim.
Liverpool Journal, 8th Jan 1881
At Manchester County Court on Tuesday, Andrew Dykes ANDERSON, Comedian of 15 Hyde St, Stretford Rd, Manchester, claimed the sum of 3 pounds, one weeks salary from Charles CORLETTE of Inghams Hotel, Major St, Manchester.
Mr BENTLIFFE for the plaintiff
Mr GALLOWAY for the defendant
Debt was contracted from the Theatre Royal Manchester, the plaintiff having been engaged there by the defendant and having previously played for him at Sheffield.
Plaintiff received a notice from the defendant's Manager, saying that because he had been drunk and imperfect in his part, his services were no longer required.
Plaintiff had been a comedian for 10 to 12 yrs, he had played at the Theatre Royal before and had, at Sheffield, played, Old Stanley in Paul FRY, and Forbarn Reste in Bounce.
Frank LOWE was on stage at the time and saw him go through his part, he did not appear intoxicated.
J. H. FRY was also on stage and did not believe he was drunk.
An Actor named BEDLEY was certain he was not drunk
Thomas DEMPSEY, the prompter, said, Plaintiff seemed somewhat under the influence, but the piece was one in which license was allowed and he took advantage of that, verdict was for the defendant with costs.
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Liverpool Mercury, March 29th 1881
Appointment of Overseers at St Helens
At the St Helens Petty Sessions yesterday, the magistrates, Mr H. A. BRIGHT, and Captain WILLIS, made the following appointments as overseers, Sutton - George PARR, William BOYLE and James HARRISON. Parr - Matthias WOOD, Frederick John BROWN and John MIDDLEHURST. Windle, William HARRISON, Hector Fraser GALLIE and Robert BELSHER. Rainford - James AGNEW and Joseph HARRISON. Eccleston - John FULLER, John ROTHWELL and John COOK
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Liverpool Mercury, Aug 6th, 1885
Serious accidents, a man named HARGREAVES, residing at Old Swan, whilst trespassing on the railway at Newsham Park at 1am yesterday was run over by a shunting engine which severed his left leg. It is said he was being pursued by a constable at the time.
A little boy named John WOOD, who lives with his parents at 13 Empire St was on Tuesday night run over by a tramcar at West Derby Rd sustaining a compound fracture of one of his legs.
A similar accident befell Edward REEVES, aged 12, nr his residence 17 Harford St on Tuesday night, fracturing one of his legs. The three sufferers are on-patients at the Royal Infirmary.
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