Heitmann, Ehlert, Bridport, was born in Brunswick, Germany, on August 5, 1822. From the time he was six years old until he reached the age of fourteen years he attended school and received a German education. From that time until he reached the age of twenty years he was engaged in working for others at farming. He was conscriped at this time in the army, served one year and six weeks, and was then furloughed until wanted. He then went to Bremen and engaged as engineer in a large brewing establishment there, where he remained for three years, when he was called upon to go to the Schleswig-Holstein War, where he remained for eight months; took part in all the campaigns; was again furloughed, and returned to his former employment in Breman, where he stayed until March, 1849, when he was again called upon to serve in the army. He came to America in May, 1849, and worked in a sugar refinery in New York city for two years, when he worked at clerking for a year. He then went into the grocery business in Williamsburg, where he did a successful business for six or seven years, and in the spring of 1858 he sold out, to his brother and came to Bridport, Vt., and purchased the place where lie still resides. It was formerly the Zenas Myrick place, and when he purchased it consisted of eighty-five acres. It now numbers one hundred acres, and is considered a very fine place. He was married on August 24, 1854, to Catherine Koerner, who was born in Hanover, Germany, on October 28, 1835. They have a family of seven children — Emma J. (who married Louis L. Koerner, of New York city), Eliza M. and Lizzie (who are twins; the former resides in New York city and the latter at home), Richard H., Anna G.. Mary L., and Charles N. Mr. Heitmann and family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Heitmann is also a member of the Masonic order, and is a self-made, prosperous man. His parents were Hendrick and Gecene (Brandt) Heitmann.
