Frank Henry Heisler |
| Posted 2011-11-12 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Prescott Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, April 10, 1946 Frank Heisler, Pioneer, Is Dead The colorful career of Frank H. Heisler, aged 91, ended in death last night. The Prescott pioneer, who had lived here since 1880, passed away at the home of his niece, Mrs. Helen Henry, 607 South Montezuma street, following a long illness. Mr. Heisler was born at Minesville, Pa., February 25, 1855. He recalled Civil War days, since his father had served in it and also remembered the tragedy of the assassination of President Lincoln. Before coming to Prescott to join a brother, William, who had come here with the late Colonel Rogers, publisher of the Weekly Courier, Mr. Heisler was a member of the police force of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad company. In his early days in Prescott, he and another brother, George, helped run off the Courier on a hand press. Both brothers died a number of years ago. He worked in several businesses, as a butcher and in a bottling works before joining the police force. After the great fire in 1900, he was appointed deputy sheriff to guard the plaza. He was appointed chief of police to fill the unexpired term of Stephen Prince, who died in office in 1910, and was twice reelected to that office. Chief of Police William R. Fitzgerald started work under Mr. Heisler February 22, 1913, he recalled today. Mr. Heisler, whose home for many years was at 508 South Cortez street, often commented on the growth of Prescott, which he saw develop from a small village to a real city. He also would recall the days when Fort Whipple was a cavalry post and some of the Indian troubles of that time. He knew Bucky O’Neill, former mayor of Prescott, who fell in the Battle of San Juan in the Spanish-American war. He joined the Odd Fellows lodge in Minesville, retaining his membership in that lodge. He was also a member of the Prescott Elks lodge. He is survived by three sisters: Mrs. Marie Graff, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Mrs. Minerva Zimmerman, of Pueblo, Colo.; and Mrs. Kate Hopstine, of Pottsville, Pa.; Mrs. Dollie Heisler, of this city, is a sister-in-law. There are three nieces: Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Carrie Gibson, of Prescott, and Mrs. L. B. Hartung, of Kingman. Funeral services will be held at the Lester Ruffner Funeral Home Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock, followed by burial in the family plot in Mountain View cemetery. The Elks will have charge of services at both the funeral home and the grave. ------------------ The Prescott Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, April 12, 1946 Heisler Funeral Services Held Here Today Funeral services for Frank H. Heisler, aged 91, Prescott pioneer, who died Tuesday, were held at 3 o’clock this afternoon in the Lester Ruffner Funeral Home. The Prescott Elks lodge, of which he was a member, conducted the service at the funeral home and also at the grave in the family plot in the Mountain View cemetery. Following the ritual, the Odd Fellows read the burial rites of that order. Mr. Heisler was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge in Minesville, Pa. The pall bearers included: Van Reichard, Ray Hall, Julius Jacoby, Fred C. Moore, William R. Fitzgerald and Robert Dreyer. Mr. Heisler, who was born in Minesville February 25, 1855, came to Preacott in 1880. He served as chief of police here for several years. He is survived by three sisters: Mrs. Marie Graff, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Mrs. Minerva Zimmerman, of Pueblo, Colo.; and Mrs. Kate Hopstine, of Pottsville, Pa.; Mrs. Dollie Heisler, of this city, is a sister-in-law. There are three nieces: Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Carrie Gibson, of Prescott, and Mrs. L. B. Hartung, of Kingman. ---------------------- The Yavapai Messenger, Prescott, Arizona Friday, April 12, 1946 Elks Conduct Last Rites For Frank Heisler Funeral services will be held this afternoon at three o’clock for Frank H. Heisler, 91 years old, pioneer Prescott resident and old-time peace officer. The last rites will be conducted at the Lester Ruffner funeral chapel by the Elks Lodge of which Mr. Heisler had been a member for 49 years. Burial will be in the family plot at Mountain View Cemetery. Graveside rites will also be under the direction of the Elks. Heisler died at the home of the niece, Mrs. Helen Henry, 607 S. Montezuma Tuesday night. He had been in ill health for some time. Born in Minesville, Pa., in 1855 he came to Prescott to join his brothers, William and George, following service on the Philadelphia police force. During the early days in Prescott he worked at various occupations, including operating a hand printing press, and working as a butcher. He was one of those deputized to guard the courthouse square after the great fire of 1900, when the stock of many Prescott businesses was stepped on the plaza. In 1910 he was appointed to the position of chief of police, following the death of Stephen Prince, a position to which he was twice reelected. Heisler was a member of the Odd Fellows in Mineville, Pa., in which launch he kept his affiliation as well as the Prescott Elks lodge. Never married, his survivors include: Mrs. Marie Graff, of Mich., Mrs. Minerva Zimmerman, Colo., and Mrs. Kate Hopstine, Pa.; Sisters, as well as a sister-in-law, Mrs. George Heisler, of Prescott. Three nieces, Mrs. L. B. Hartung, Kingman and Mrs. Carrie Gibson and Mrs. Henry of Prescott also survive. One of many early-commerce contributed to the growth of Prescott and Arizona. Heisler name any of the colorful early figures, including Bucky O'Neill as well as recalling vividly the days when the veteran’s hospital was the site of a cavalry unit. Heisler felt is recalled by many Prescott people as one of the most colorful persons of their youth. See Also: Arizona Gravestone Photo Project |
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