Edward Heffner, retired farmer; P. O. Brandt; was born in Maryland April 4, 1820, and came to Bethel Township, Miami Co., in 1827, with his parents Michael and Elizabeth Heffner. They purchased 20 acres of woodland adjoining Brandt, and erected thereon a hewed-log house, but moved into it without a floor he cleared up his land, and for a number of years worked at the carpenter trade being broken down by hard work, he engaged in the mercantile business about 1836; he was the first merchant of the place and also kept a kind of inn; in 1842, he sold his land and bought a small tract south of town; having purchased a lot in Brandt, and erected a brick house, he moved his store and consolidated it with that of Andrew Gump, which he bought, and continued in the business to the time of his death. He departed this life Nov. 22, 1868, in his 70th year. His widow is still living and is quite active for a lady of 69 years. They were the parents of seventeen children; of these sixteen grew to the age of maturity. The subject of this sketch, the oldest of the children, has been a farmer for the greater part of his life, and now owns 1261 acres in Sec. 15, in Bethel Township, Miami Co., Ohio, besides his proper in Brandt, where he resides. He has held the office of Township Trustee and Assessor. In September of 1846,. he married Lydia Keifer, by whom he had three children; John F. (who accidentally shot himself Oct. 8, 1872), William M . and George K. Mrs. Heffner died May 18, 1853, at the age of 25 years, leaving her husband with the care of three small children. On the 20th of March, 1867, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Catharine Helmer. One child, Jacob E., is the fruit of the is marriage.