JOHN M. HEFFNER, general farmer and tobacco grower, resides on a tract of thirty-one acres of land located on the Brandt and Addison Turnpike Road, in Section 14, Bethel Township, and also owns 67 acres of the old Bethel Township homestead. He was born August 25,1856, near Brandt, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Hawn) Heffner.

The pioneer of the Heffner family was the grandfather, Michael Heffner, who came with his wife from Maryland, the journey being made over the mountains in great covered wagons. He settled in Bethel Township and built his house, one of brick, in which he conducted also a general store, and it is one of the oldest landmarks in Brandt, where a number of houses stand on what was once his farm. He was a charter member of the Lutheran Church at Brandt and undoubtedly was one of the town's most useful and progressive men. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. He married Elizabeth Fry and they had the following children: Edward, Henry, Joseph, Michael, David, Myra, Catherine, Harriet, Lydia Ann, Washington, John, Thomas, Betsey, Ezra, Daniel, Elizabeth and Jane.

Henry Heffner, father of John M., attended the Sheets school when he was a boy and then assisted his father on the home place until his own marriage, after which he settled in Section 17, on Honey Creek, where he lived for several years, moving then to the Dimmitt farm and then to a farm of 124 acres one and one-half miles west of Brandt. He took possession of that farm in 1855 and remained on it until his death. He was a Democrat in his political views and served as constable for several terms. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was one of the early members of the. Masonic fraternity at Brandt. He married Margaret Hawn, who died November 28, 1890, whom he survived until August 4, 1904. They had eight children, namely: Libeon, unmarried; Jane, wife of Thomas Ginn; Rebecca, wife of Samuel Crider; John M.; George, unmarried; Isaac, who married Emma Kew; Matilda:, who married George Parson; and Jacob.

John M. Heffner has spent his life in Miami County and since leaving school has devoted himself to quiet pursuits. After his marriage he settled on his grandfather's farm for about four years and then purchased a place of his own in Brandt, on which he lived for sixteen years, for eight years of this time operating a well drill. When he retired from Brandt he settled on his present place and has been engaged in general farming and tobacco growing, giving the larger part of his attention to the latter. Hr has put all his buildings into good shape and has enough warehouse room to take care of a large tobacco crop.

On December 22, 1881, Mr. Heffner was married to Miss Amanda L. Maugans, a daughter of John and Mary Maugans, and they have had four children, as follows Anna M., who is now deceased, married Ray Mann and their infant child is also deceased; Jacob; Harrison F., who was married October 18, 1909, to Ada May Cullars, a daughter of Jerome and Nora Cullars; and John Edward, who resides at home. Mr. Heffner is a member of the Brethren Church at Hickory Grove. He casts his vote with the Democratic party.