Heyser, William (1795-1863)

William Heyser was born October 6, 1795 and died November 6, 1863. He was the son of Jacob and Catherine (Ott) Heyser. He succeeded his father in business, and engaged in other enterprises, becoming one of the owners of the Hollywell paper mill. He succeeded his father as Franklin County treasurer, 1820-1823, and was a member of town council, 1828. In 1814 he marched with Capt. Culbertson's company to the defense of Baltimore. He peremptorily declined legislative honors and further political preferment. He was president of the National Bank of Chambersburg at the time of his death. He organized the Chambersburg Gas Company, effected the sale of the stock, and was elected its President. All of its construction, contracts and work were mainly committed to him and his personal supervision until the works were finished and the light turned on in 1856-1857. He was a trustee of the Reformed Church Theological Seminary, 1831-1863; president of the board, 1837-1838, and 1846-1863; a trustee of Marshall College, 1836-1853, and of Franklin and Marshall, 1853-1860. He was treasurer of Synod for thirty years; was one of the most active men on the College and Seminary boards when these institutions were transferred from York to Mercersburg, 1835-1836, financing the removal and supervising the construction of the buildings. He was superintendent of the Sunday School of Zion Reformed Church in Chambersburg for 34 years. For many years he held a Bible Class for young people on Sunday afternoons. Source: Zion Reformed Church History Booklet and Obituary.