John Heiskell 1775-1836

John Heiskell, the older brother of Frederick S. Heiskell, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, on 9 June 1775 7. In 1799, at the age of 24, John joined the 7th Regiment of Infantry with the rank of 2nd lieutenant, and was rapidly promoted to 1st lieutenant and adjutant. He received an honorable discharge on th 15th of June 1800. In 1801, he joined the Second Regiment of Artillery and Engineers as a 1st lieutenant, but resigned his commission on the 7th of August. However, this was not the end of his military career. Two letters written by James Faulkner show that by 1808 John had been commissioned Captain of Artilleries in the local militia. During the War of 1812, he was witness to the burning of Washington D.C. and the capitulation of Alexandria, Virginia.1 About 1802, after John resigned his commission, he became a printer and publisher, and owner - editor of the Gazette, a local Winchester, Virginia newspaper. Heiskell circulated the newspaper to surrounding villages by means of his own private mail service.

The following excerpts are from History of the Upper Ohio Valley, vol. 1, Madison, Wisc.: Brant & Fuller, 1891, pp. 316-318.

The following interesting mention is made of him in an old pamphlet, entitled, "Echoes from the Past, or Winchester and Its Environs in the Olden Times." "Among the public- spirited men of the town (we must be allowed to say the noblest Roman of them all) was Mr. John Heiskell, who conducted one of the town papers, and held many responsible offices at various times in the corporation. During his time there were more improvements going on and completed than ever before or since. His whole heart was wrapped up in the prosperity of the town. It may be said to have been his hobby. There has been no one to fill his place since he died. He was social in his feelings, though of a 'fire and tow' temperament, easily excited, and as easily mollified. His heart was as open as day to the calls of charity. Of his lady we cannot speak in too high terms of commendation, therefore we will be silent. They have both gone to their reward."

John Heiskell was twice married. His first wife was Ann Sowers, whom he married June 17, 1802, by whom he had four children: Henry, Sidney, Otho and Robert. His second wife was Sarah White, their marriage took place March 16, 1824. The births, marriages and deaths of the children are recorded as follows: Henry Lee Heiskell, born March 16, 1803, married Margaret L. Baldwin (Margaret Sowers), November 12, 1833. Henry married for his second wife, Elizabeth Gouvenier, of Washington, D. C. (the granddaughter of President Monroe, and the mother of Capt. James Monroe Heiskell, of military fame), the ceremony taking place in June, 1842. He was first assistant surgeon-general in the United States army, and served in Florida during the Seminole war. Sidney Isabella, born May 22, 1806 6, married Samuel Ott, of Woodstock Va., May 25, 1825; Otho Williams, born March 1, 1808, married Susan M. Gibson, May 16, 1837, by whom he had one child; Henry Lee Heiskell married a second time to Matilda Paxton, died September 30, 1885; Robert Patton, born March 25, 1812, died June 9, 1821; Ann Elizabeth, born June 27, 18265; John White, born February 12, 1829, and Amelia Susan Heiskell, born July 24, 1826. Otto W. Heiskell was born in Winchester, Va., where he received his education, he came to Wheeling, Va., now West Virginia, in 1824, and entered the employ of Wade Hampton Heiskell as a clerk in his general merchandise store. Subsequently he established a dry goods business and operated it with much success until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion. He enlisted in the First Virginia volunteer infantry, and was made captain. His military career was crowned with bravery and honorable conduct. He was the only member of the family who fought on the side of the Union. Several of his kinsfolk gave their lives and services to the cause of secession. They fought with the same devotion and heroism, and although on the defeated side, never flinched from their duty. Two of his cousins were killed at the battle of Cedar Mountain while bravely fighting for all that they loved best. After the war Mr. Heiskell returned to Wheeling, and spent the remainder of his days in retirement from active business life. His death was a public calamity, and the loving memory of his life and deeds, his quiet, gentle charity and Christian spirit are the best monument which could possibly be erected to his memory. A true, honorable gentleman, a staunch friend, a sincere Christian and a brave soldier, is the epitaph which is written on the hearts of all who knew and loved him. His widow and seven children still survive him, they are: Otlio, Annie, who married Augustus Burke, their two children are: Matilda Heiskell Burke and William Paxton Burke, the latter now connected with the bank of the Ohio valley; William P., Matilda H., second daughter, married Henry M. Russell, a prominent lawyer of Wheeling; Eliza Paxton Heiskell, who married Judge J. R. Paull, mentioned elsewhere; Sydney and Daniel L.

At a meeting held in the courthouse of Winchester, on 6 March 1824, John Heiskell was appointed a trustee of the Agricultural Society of the Shenandoah Valley.2 In 1829, he was appointed one of the commissioners for improving the town's water system.3 When the Valley Turnpike Company was incorporated on 3 March 1834, John was appointed stockbroker at Winchester.4

1The Burning of Washington: the British Invasion of 1814 by Anthony S. Pitch. Annapolis, 1998, p. 138, 172-173.
2The American Farmer, vol. 16. Baltimore, 1824.
3Shenandoah Valley pioneers and their descendants by T. K. Cartmell. Winchester, 1909, p. 147.
4 The German Element of the Shenanhoah Valley of Virginia by John Walter Wayland, Charlottesville, Va., 1908, p. 210.
5 Ann Elizabeth Heiskell married Daniel C. List on April 3, 1846 (Ohio County, W. Va.).
6 Sidney was born in Winchester, Va., and died in 1888 at the age of 73. She was married to Samuel Ott, and bore seven children, in addition to working as a journalist. The 1850 cenus shows five children: Sidney [aged 17], Henry [17], Eliza J. [12], Margaret S. [9], Caroline [7].
7 Pyles of Preston VA (Rootsweb) gives 19 June 1775 and date of death, 23 Nov 1836.