Hilltown Township school photo: Student IDs








Finding a 1895 class photo where nearly everybody is identified is like History Nerd catnip. 

Images 2 - 4 are cropped so you can get a better look at the students. 5-8 are closeups of my favorites:

5. Melvin Heckler because of his fancy outfit (was he the teacher's son? He's not listed in the obit.)
6. Margaret & Susan Johnson because of their short hair and Margaret's toothache (I hope it's a toothache)
7. Obviously the Mean Girls of Hilltown School
8. Definitely a time-traveler.

Image 9 is the photo's reverse, dated March 19, 1895. Also a typed list of names and a 1963 obituary for the teacher, Melvin Heckler.

And now what you're really here for: those sweet sweet names —

Teacher: Melvin Heckler

Left to Right
Top row (standing): Walter Fellman (partial), Elmer Bishop, James Curley, Wesley Willauer, Harry Heckler, William Courter, Nelson Lapp, Elmer Snyder, Harvey Rickert, Mabel Rosenberger, Mamie Kramer, Bertha Fellman, Barbara Dauber, Lettie Danenhauer, Stella Bloom, Elmina Heckler, _______, Stella Lapp, Flora Ruth, Susan Rosenberger.

Second row: Horace Fellman, _______, James Courter, Gehman, Flora Courter, Bessie Bishop, Minnie Bishop, Ida Bacorn, Esther Lapp, Lillie Hunsberger, Clara Springer, Dora Fretz, Mabel Bloom, Laura Grass.

Front row (sitting): Ross Fellman, Cyrus Heckler, Ammon Heckler, George Dauber, Charles Hunsberger, Nelson Freed, Stella Ruth, Dora Ruth, Margaret Johnson, Susan Johnson, Hattie Bishop, Eva Bishop, Martha Lapp, Eva DeFrain, Beulah DeFrain, Alma Kramer, Bertha Hedrick.

Obituary, February 1963 (partial transcription)
... The Rev Melvin M Heckler, a retired Episcopal priest who entered the ministry after 48 years as a school teacher, died Friday. He was 89. ... he taught for 36 years in Philadelphia public schools ... and began teaching in Hilltown, Bucks County, his native town. Surviving are his wife, the former Mabel Oxford, a daughter, Mrs Grace Lockhart, and two grandchildren.

From the Collection of the Mercer Museum Library of the Bucks County Historical Society (sc-29-01, 15-i-001)

2 comments:

  1. Isn't this the building across from Crossroads Tavern?

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  2. I believe this was the Leidytown School on Hilltown Pike. The Hillown Historical Society has an almost identical photo from 1894. The building still stands and is part of the Good Shephard Episcopal Church.

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