Category Archives: Heller/Hela Family

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Today’s Tidbit | Frank Heller – March 19, 1878

My maternal great grandfather, Frank Heller, was born on this day in 1878. He was the youngest son of Mathias and Frances (Swiderski) Heller, and was born in Princeton, Green Lake Co., WI. He worked on farms at Fox Lake and in the lumber camps at Ashland.

After several years, he came to Montello, WI and joined the Montello Granite Co. In the 1920 census, his job description is that of a “polisher”.

Frank married my great grandmother, Catherine Jackowski, in 1905. He worked for Montello Granite for about 45 years until becoming ill in July of 1944.

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Today’s Tidbit | May 16, 1866 – Lorenz and Elizabeth Hela

My 3rd great grandparents, Lorenz and Elizabeth (Fleming) Hela, and their children Anna, Andreas and Rosalia, arrived at Castle Garden in New York City on May 16, 1866, on-board the “Bark Johanna” from Prussia. They were from Sossnowd, Prussia.

Johanna Passenger List Showing Hela Family

They settled in Neshkoro, WI and then Princeton, WI before moving to South Dakota in about 1881. Many of their descendants changed their name to “Heller”.

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Today’s Tidbit | March 20, 1883

On this day, in 1883, my great grandmother, Catherine Jackowski was born to Stephan and Rosalia (Soda) Jackowski in Princeton, Green Lake Co., WI. She married my great grandfather, Frank Heller (see yesterday’s post), on September 26, 1905 in Princeton. They had eight children together, the oldest being my grandmother, Florence.

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Tuesday Treasure | March 16, 2010

When my Grandpa and Grandpa Hau passed away several years ago, I was lucky enough to receive many of their things. Among them was my grandpa’s high school yearbook. Raymond Christian Hau was raised in Fond du lac, WI. His father, John, was in the restaurant business, a business that Ray would eventually join. Ray graduated from Fond du Lac Senior High School in 1926.

The 1920′s in America was an era distinguished by several inventions and discoveries of far-reaching importance, unprecedented industrial growth, accelerated consumer demand and aspirations, and significant changes in lifestyle. The city of Fond du Lac was no exception. It was a classic American mid-western small town, highlighted by its bustling main street. After his graduation, Ray attended Lawrence college in Appleton, his being the first generation of the Hau family to attend college.

Yearbooks from this era are far different from the color photo laden, current events filled books of today. They contain pages full of  poetry and song; pages detailing highlights of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes; and in-depth descriptions of the accomplishments of the Service Club, Glee Club, Commercial Club, Peptimist Club, etc. The class motto for the Senior Class of 1926 was “Character is All!”

The class president described their senior year as follows: “…it was our senior year that we must look to appreciate truly our high school life. The hopes of years were at last realized. Early in November the school addition, containing the new combined gymnasium and auditorium, was finally completed. What senior has not experience a sincere thrill of pride and of satisfaction as he has entered the gymnasium for programs, pep meetings, parties, and basketball games? We are equally proud of our cafeteria where we have enjoyed hot dinners on cold winter days and appetizing lunches after organization parties. Our school life has been further rounded by the new courses of home economics, manual training, auto mechanics, and physical education….”

It’s hard to imagine our ancestors as high school kids. My only memory of my grandpa is as…a grandpa. I’m grateful to have these treasures. They really help me to know him better.

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Tuesday Treasure | November 17, 2009

This is the marriage certificate of my grandparents on my mom’s side, Raymond Christian Hau and Florence Rose Heller.

Marriage Certificate of Raymond Christian Hau and Florence Rose Heller

My grandpa was born in Fond du Lac, WI on February 29, 1908. He spent a year at Lawrence College in Appleton. Ray eventually went to work for his father, who owned the Lion Cafeteria, in Fond du Lac.

My grandma was born and raised in Montello, WI. She graduated from St. Agnes School of Nursing in Fond du Lac and then worked, until their marriage, at St. Agnes Hospital.

Ray and Florence were married, on October 10, 1933, at St. John the Baptist Church in Montello. Their marriage was witnessed by Ray’s sister, Delores, and Florence’s brother, Howard.

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Surname Saturday | HELLER

My grandmother on my mom’s side is a Heller. Passenger list records show that Lorenz, his wife Elizabeth (Fleming), and their children Anna, Andreas and Rosalia arrived at Castle Garden in New York City on May 16, 1866, on the ship Johanna. They were from Sossnow, Prussia. They lived in Neshkoro, Marquette Co., WI in 1870 and by 1880 had moved on to Princeton, Green Lake Co. In 1881, they moved to South Dakota. My direct line stayed in Wisconsin.

My great grandfather, Frank worked on farms at Fox Lake and in the lumber camps at Ashland.  After several years, he came to Montello and worked for the Montello Granite Company for about 45 years. His daughter, Florence married Raymond Hau in 1933.

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This Week’s Family Anniversaries | July 5 – July 11, 2009

Elmo “Bill” Linal LeVan – Born July 11, 1903 in North Greenfield, Zane Twp., Logan Co., OH. He came to Michigan and worked clearing the land for the Ford plant in Ypsilanti. He later worked in a saw mill in Waterloo Township. He married Zella Bradley McConnell on March 28, 1925. Elmo died on February 7, 1978 and is buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Waterloo Township, Jackson Co., MI. He is my wife’s grandfather.

Lysander Ormsby – Born July 5, 1815 in Westhampton, Hampshire Co., MA. He came to Michigan in 1837, settling in Blissfield, Lenawee Co. and then Summerfield Township, Monroe Co. He later moved to Deerfield, Lenawee Co. and bought a stave mill and opened a grocery store. He died on January 23, 1911 and is buried in Deerfield Township Cemetery, Deerfield. Lysander Ormsby is my 5th cousin, 4 times removed.

Alexandre Voiland – Died July 7, 1801 in Essert, Belfort, France. Alexandre is my 5th great grandfather and our oldest known Voiland ancestor.

Mathias J. Heller – Died July 9, 1899 in Princeton, Green Lake Co., WI. He came to America from Prussia in about 1865. He engaged in farming. He married Frances Swiderski in 1868. Mathias is buried in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Princeton, Green Lake Co. He is my 2nd great grandfather.

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This Week’s Family Anniversaries | June 21 – June 27, 2009

On June 24, 1675, William Salisbury and his son John are the first colonists killed in King Philips War. Four days earlier, William had killed an indian warrior who entered his home at Kickemuit, MA. The indians killed William and John in retribution. William is my 8th great grandfather.

Isaac Ormsbee – Born June 21, 1763 in Warren, Bristol Co., Colony of Rhode Island. He married Patience Chase on February 8, 1789 in Warren, Bristol Co. Isaac died on October 13, 1848 in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., NY and is buried in the Ormsbee Cemetery on the Ormsbee Farm near Porters Corners, Saratoga Co., NY. He is my 4th great grandfather.

Elizabeth Fuhrman – Born June 22, 1874 in Marshfield Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. She married John Hau on June 12, 1900 in Johnsburg, Fond du Lac Co. Elizabeth died on May 27, 1964 in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co. and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Fond du Lac. She is my great grandmother.

Henry Lawrence Heim and Vera N. Gage – Married on June 21, 1916 in Jackson, Jackson Co., MI. They are my wife’s great grandparents.

Richard Kemball – Died June 22, 1675 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was born on April 10, 1595 in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England. Richard Married Ursula Scott on October 23, 1615 in Rattlesden. He is my wife’s 10th great grandfather.

President Stephen Grover Cleveland – Died on June 24, 1908 and is buried in Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, Mercer Co., NJ. He was born on March 18, 1837 in Caldwell, Mercer Co. Grover married Frances Clara Folsom on June 2, 1886 in the White House, Washington, District of Columbia. He is my 6th cousin, 3 times removed.

John Hau – Died June 25, 1966 in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI. He was born on August 25, 1874 in St. Joe, Marshfield Twp., Fond du Lac Co. John married Elizabeth Fuhrman on June 12, 1900 In Johnsburg, Fond du Lac Co. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Fond du Lac. John is my great grandfather.

Raymond Christian Hau – Died June 27, 2003 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI. He was born on February 29, 1908 in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI. Raymond married Florence Rose Heller on October 10, 1933 in Fond du Lac. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Fond du lac. Raymond is my grandfather.