Andrew Bennet Heisler (1877 - 1959)

Born 28 May 1877 in Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Ancestors

Husband of Etta Sarah (Hebb) Heisler — married 13 Apr 1901 in Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Descendants

Died 25 Oct 1959 at age 82 in Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

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Biography

In 1881, Andrew Bennet Heisler, then age 3, was enumerated in Lunenburg Town with his father and mother, Peter Elijah and Ellen Heisler.

As a young man, Andrew worked as a commercial fisherman in Lunenburg. Sometime after his marriage in April 1901, he broke his leg and hip in a shipboard accident. After his accident, Andrew worked on the Lunenburg docks as a wharfinger and in a local sail loft making sails and ropes. Andrew and his family lived at the family home, 201 Cumberland Street, Lunenburg.

In March 1901, Andrew Heisler was living with his widowed mother in Lunenburg Town. Ellen Heisler was 51, born 17 October 1849. Andrew was 23, born 28 May 1877. His sister Nellie Heisler, age 16, born 30 November 1884, and brother Arthur, age 12, born 20 June 1888, were living with him. The family was Methodist. Andrew was a laborer. He had been employed for the prior 12 months (April to March) and had earned $200.00. All members of the family could read, write and speak English. Nellie and Arthur had each spent nine months in school.

Marriage:

Bachelor Andrew B. Heisler of Lunenburg, age 22, a mariner and son of Peter and Elen [sic] Heisler, married 13 April 1901, in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Lunenburg, spinster Etta HEBB of Mason’s Island, age 19 (born 9 November 1882, on Mason’s Island, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and baptized 24 November 1882, in the Presbyterian Church, Lunenburg), daughter of John Alexander Hebb and Catherine Schnare. J. Marion McDougall and Effie B. Wallace were the witnesses. Fifty-five years later:

“Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Heisler celebrated the 55th anniversary of their marriage at their home on Friday evening last when many friends and relatives called to extend congratulations and good wishes. The couple was married by Rev. Mr. McGillvary, then pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The bride was Miss Etta Hebb, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hebb and the groom is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter Heisler, Lunenburg, N.S. Seven children, four sons and three daughters, were born to the couple, all of whom are living and residing in various centres of Canada. They are Alex Heisler in California; Catherine (Mrs. Bert Slater,) Tuft’s Cove; May (Mrs. Burton Porter), Ottawa; Helen (Mrs. Grant Ball), Gloucester, P.O., Ontario; Robert at home; Arthur, Goose Bay, Labrador; George, Eastview, Ontario. Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Slater and Robert were with their parents in the celebration.”

In 1901, Etta Hebb was enumerated as “Ethel" with her parents in the Mahone Bay Road District. Etta was 18, born 9 November 1882. She was living with her father and mother, Alexander and Catherine Hebb, her cousin and adopted brother, Russell Hebb, and Sarah Griffen, Alexander Hebb’s sister-in-law, Sarah Ann Schnare. Sarah Ann Griffin, widow of William Griffin, died 8 February 1909, age 90 years, 9 months, of old age and asthmatic pneumonia, in Lunenburg. She was born in Martin’s Brook.

In 1907-1908, Andrew Heisler was a wharfinger living with his mother, Mrs. Peter Heisler, widow, on Cumberland Street. His brother Arthur Heisler, a teacher, was boarding with him.

1911 Canadian Census:

In 1911, Andrew and Etta Heisler were living in Lunenburg town. Andrew was 33, born in May 1879; and Etta was 28, born in November 1882. They were enumerated with son Alexander Heisler, age 9, born June 1900; daughter Katherine Heisler, age 8, born March 1902; daughter May Heisler, age 6, born September 1904; daughter Helen Heisler, age 4, born April 1907; nephew Harry Murphy, age 10, born in September 1900; mother Ellen Heisler, age 72, born in 1848; and sister Nellie Heisler, age 24, born November 1886. Harry Murphy, Ellen Heisler and Nellie Heisler were Methodists. Andrew, Etta and their children were Presbyterian. Andrew was a foreman on the wharf and Nellie a teacher. Although Ellen told the census taker she was married, she had been a widow for some years.

Andrew Bennet Heisler died 25 October 1959, aged 82 years, of a heart attack, at home, 201 Cumberland Street, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He was buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg. After his death, Etta continued to live in the Cumberland Street home with her sons Robert and Arthur.

Etta Heisler died 19 January 1971, at home, in Lunenburg: “Mrs. Andrew Heisler, of Lunenburg was buried in Hillcrest Cemetery following funeral service in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at which Rev. John Cameron officiated. She is survived by three sons, J. Alexander, Burbank, Calif.; Robert, at home; George, Ottawa; three daughters, Catherine (Mrs. Bert Slater), Dartmouth; E. May (Mrs. Burton Porter), and Helen (Mrs. Grant Ball), both of Ottawa; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband and one son, Arthur.”

Sources

• Elliott Myles, firsthand knowledge. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Elliott and others.