William Hetselgesser

William Hetselgesser was the 3rd child of William Hetselgesser and the 3rd child born to . William was born 10 Aug 1813 in Westmoreland County, PA when James was 10 years old and William was 8 years old. William married Elizabeth (Sarah, Betsy) Painter on 16 Apr 1839 at the age of 26 and they had 6 children. William died 2 Feb 1888 at the age of 75.

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In 1815 William's family relocated to a farm in Winfield Township in Butler County where William grew up. In the 1830 census he is listed on page 072 as "Hesslgessor" living in Butler County, Buffalo Township.

He was a farmer and resided in Leasureville, Winfield township. In the 1840 census, he is listed in Butler County, Buffalo Township. In the 1850 census there are three daughters listed, Jane, Eliza and Martha. At this time the value of his real estate was listed as $2000.

The 1850 Agricultural Census reports the following:

• Improved acres -- 50
• Unimproved acres -- 50
• Cash value of farm -- $1200
• Value of farm implementes and machinery -- $250

William owned 5 horses, 4 milch cows, 15 other cattle, 42 sheep and 20 swine for a total livestock value of $525. He harvested 15 bushels of wheat, 40 bushels of rye, 15 bushels of Indian corn and 300 bushels of oats in the previous year. He also sheared 60 pounds of wool, 50 bushels buckwheat, 250 pounds of butter, 15 tons of hay with a value of homemade manufactured goods at $12 and a value of animals slaughtered at $32.

By the 1870 census, William and his son Earl were listed as farmers and the value of his property was $8000 and $2000.

The 1880 census indicates he was still a farmer at age 67 with his wife, Betsy, age 66 and daughter Eliza, age 35 and grandson William Altman, age 13 living with them.

William and Sarah had six children, although the family Bible records 2 boys and 3 girls born.

The Freeport Journal 1876-1886" notes his death on 2 Feb 1888 as follows: William Hesselgeser of Leasureville died. His will is listed in Index to Butler County Wills 1796-1900" under volume J-191 dated 1888. In his will dated 30 Jan 1882 and filed 9 Feb 1888, he lists his wife Elizabeth, sons Earl and Ellis, daughters Jane Altman, Elizabeth Bricker (married to Jacob Bricker on 3 Nov 1881), Martha Blackburn. Earl was designated as executor, witnesses were John P. Bricker and Conrad Sell. Register and recorder was A.H. Ayers.

References

Last data update: Sep 27, 2018.

1850 United States Census Document, Buffalo Township, Butler County, PA; Enumeration date: Aug 23rd, 1850, page 55, lines 37-40 Citation post date: 2009-07-04

1860 United States Census Document, Winfield Township, Butler County, PA; Enumeration date: June 12th, 1860, page 21, lines 2-9 Citation post date: 2009-07-04

1870 United States Census Document, Winfield Township, Butler County, PA; Enumeration date: June 29th, 1870, page 12, lines 21-26 Citation post date: 2009-07-04

1880 United States Census Document, Winfield Township, Butler County, PA; Enumeration date: June 18th, 1880, page 19, lines 3-6 Citation post date: 2009-07-04

Personal genealogical research information and notes provided by James E. Sutton III, Citation post date: 2008-05-20

Personal genealogical research information and notes provided by Nancy Lee (Hesselgesser) Sutton, Citation post date: 2008-05-20