-------------------------------
biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
PERCYRUS HEITSMAN, deceased, was numbered among the pioneers of this county of 1853. He was a native of New Jersey, born April 30, 1814, and was reared a farmer's boy. In 1840 he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Mershon, a native of New Jersey, who was born July 11, 1817. In 1849 they removed to Ohio, locating in Marion County, and engaged in farming until 1853, when they loaded their worldly possessions and five little children into a covered wagon and, after a tedious journey of about six weeks, arrived in this county. They settled on section 1, Prairie Township, and Mr. Heitsman purchased a farm which was originally opened up by Mr. A. C. Doze, and here followed farming the remainder of his life, his death occurring Oct. 5, 1882. His widow yet survives, and resides on the homestead. They were the parents of eight children, of whom one died in infancy, in New Jersey; Margaret became the wife of Jacob Fisher, and died at the age of forty-one years; one son, Lewis, died when twenty-seven years old. The five living are: Jacob, in Union Township; George, in Poweshiek County; John Irving, in Prairie Township; Emma, wife of Thomas H. B. Ryan, who resides on the homestead, and William, who lives in Union Township. Politically Mr. Heitsman was a lifelong Democrat. His religious connection was with the Christian Union Church. He was a man of medium size, and a hard worker all his life. Among his neighbors he was esteemed for his social qualities; at home he was a kind husband and loving father, and among his business acquaintances greatly respected as an honorable, upright man and a first class citizen.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy