An American Family History

Eliza Louisa Branstetter Heller was born on November 4, 1814 in Heidelberg Township, Northampton County, now Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Daniel Branstetter and Christina Bauman.

She came with her family to Ohio about 1818 where they were early pioneers.

After her father's death, in 1831 her brother, John Branstetter, was appointed her guardian.

When she was 19, she married Elias Heller on June 26, 1834 in Clark County, Ohio. Elias was born on October 19, 1810 in Pennsylvania and was the son of Daniel Heller and Barbara Nause. Daniel was a blacksmith and had a shop in Clark County in 1836.

Their children included:
Rebecca J. Heller Kiblinger (1836, married Lemuel Kiblinger),
Mary Elizabeth Heller Tilbury (1837, married Oliver Tilbury),
Charles Marion Heller (1839, married Angeline Allene Fling),
Benjamin F. Heller (1842, married Harriet Alford),
Eliza Jane Heller Fincham (1845, married Henry Mathew Fincham),
Hester Ann Heller Rockel (1847, married William Rockel son of Adam Rockel and Mary Baker),
Squire Heller (1848, married Mary Jennie Owens), and
William Coke Heller (1853, married Emma J. Horney).

Elias Heller appeared in the 1840 census for German Township Clark County, Ohio. The household had one man between 30 and 40, a woman between 20 and 30, a boy less than five, a girl between five and ten and a girl less than five.

From an Ohio newspaper in 1840.

In 1850 they were still in German Township. The household consisted of Elias age 41, Eliza age 36, Rebecca J. age 15, Mary E. age 13, Charles age 10, Benjamin F. age 8, Eliza J. age 6, Hester A. age 3, and Esquire age 1. Elias was working as a blacksmith.

In 1855 they went to McLean County, Illinois by covered wagon where they bought 80 acres in 1866 east of Towanda from William Sowards for $2,550.

The family appeared in the 1860 census of Towanda Township, McLean County, Illinois. The household consisted of Elias age 50 who was a farmer, Eliza age 44, Mary age 23, Charles age 20, Benjamin age 17, Hester A. age 13, Squire age 10, and William C. age 6.

They remained in Towanda Township during the Civil War. At the time of the 1870 census, they were in Blue Mound Township, McLean County, Illinois. The household consisted of Elias age 59, Eliza age 54, Squire age 21, and William age 17.

In 1880 Elias and Eliza were living in Blue Mound, McLean County, Illinois.

Elias died April 1, 1888 and Eliza died on December 18, 1898. Elias and Eliza are buried together in Smith Grove Cemetery in Towanda.

Children of Daniel Branstetter, Sr. and Christina Bauman Daniel Branstiter Henry Branstetter John Brunsteter Sarah Branstetter Rogers Neville Mary Branstetter Enoch Elizabeth Branstetter Wallace Morris Rebecca Margaret Branstetter Hullinger Charles F. Branstetter Eliza Branstetter Heller William Branstetter Nathan Branstetter

Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania originally included Washington Township and Slatington. It is located on Trout Creek and Jordan Creek.