Frederick William Heidner

 

        Frederick Heidner was born in Brandenburg, Prussia in 1834, and migrated to America with his parents in 1847.  The family settled on a farm in New York state, where two things happened: the family was first introduced to the Evangelical Association and William apprenticed in the blacksmith trade.

        After the death of his mother, Heidner moved to Freeport, Illinois, where he received a call to the ministry.   He entered Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris, Illinois, and later Garrett Biblical Institute, from which he graduated in 1863.  The plan was for him to go to India as a missionary, but for some reason the church decided not to go forward with its missionary work at that time.

        In 1863 he was appointed to his position at Plainfield College, and remained their for over fifty years.

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Taken about 1902 with granddaughter (daughter of Ellen)

Descendant Kim Jackson sent the two photographs and the additional family information:

William Heidner (born Friedrich Wilheim) was born in 1834 in Brandenburg,  Prussia, the son of Christian Friedrich Heidner and wife Anna Sophie Bretay. (He  was one of 8 children)
 
The family immigrated to the U.S. in late 1847.  While en route, his  father died and was buried in the North Sea.
 
William married Mary Jane Sindlinger from Pennsylvania and they had six  children.

Julian b. 1864
Ulysses b. 1866
Ellen b. 1871
Edward John b. 1872
Mary b. 1875   
Eva b. 1876

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