My Genealogy Hound

LEVI HELLER, carriage and wagon maker, Saybrook; was born in Taylortown, Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 3, 1847; when he was about 8 years of age, his parents moved to St. Louis, and, the next spring, moved to Weston, Mo., for one year, and from there to Bloomington, remaining in or near there for four years, and then moved to Benjaminville, Ill., for two years; then returned to Sharpsburg, Mo., and, in 1862, came to Bloomington; Mr. Heller, at the age of 15, after the death of his mother, started out to carve his own fortunes, working upon a farm for two years, when he enlisted in Co. I, 145th I. V. I., and served six months; upon his return, he commenced learning the trade of wagon making at Canton, Fulton Co., Ill., and then established himself in business at Lancaster, Peoria Co., Ill., for two years, and then in Glasford, in same county, for over three years, and, in 1872, came to the village of Arrowsmith, McLean Co., remaining there up to 1878, carrying on the business of wagon making and blacksmithing, and, in April, of the same year, came to Saybrook, and, at the expiration of eight months, formed the present co-partnership of Heller & Nelson. He married Miss Sophia Jones, of Lancaster, Ill., Oct. 14, 1868; they had four children, two living — John L., born Aug. 11, 1874, and Nellie M., Jan. 12, 1877; two deceased — Edward A.; died Aug. 3, 1873 and Mamie, July 27, 1873.