Rev. Henry Heiss Home circa 1850
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The original farmstead once consisted over almost 400 acres and extended north along Greensburg and Arlington Roads from Steese Road to Boettler Road. The bulk of the land was purchased in 1849 by Rev. Henry Heiss from Michael Dillman, son of Conrad Dillman (a prominent member of the Evangelical Church and builder of the St. John Farm on Greensburg Road). By 1850, the Heiss family was actively farming the land. The home construction was untaken sometime between 1849 and 1855.
The home is a Greek Revival with a four-bay facade. The center two bays each contain separate entries, leading many visitors to inquiry if the home is a duplex. This two-entry facade is a classic example of Penn-Duetsch or the Pennsylvania Farmhouse architectural style. The Pennsylvania Farmhouse style of architecture evolved from the combination of the Pennsylvania Flürkuchenhaus and more ‘conventional’ styles of architecture, such as Georgian, or in this case, Greek Revival design.
The original two-sided central chimney is a classic example of Pennsylvania Flürkuchenhaus or Pennsylvania German Farmhouse architecture from the early to mid 1800s. Examples of central chimney architecture are rare, as this style was replaced by gable-end fireplaces of English design. One side of the central chimney opens into a large cooking fireplace in the küch (kitchen) and the other side of the central chimney opens into a formal fireplace in the parlor or living room.
Rev. Henry Heiss was one of five sons of John Wilhelm (William) Heiss, Erie County, Pennsylvania, that became active ministers and circuit riders in the Evangelical Association. Rev. Henry Heiss joined the Evangelical Association in 1835 as a circuit rider in the Canton Circuit. By 1839 when the Western Conference of the Evangelical Association held session in Greensburg, Henry Heiss held the title of Deacon.
Interestingly, further research has revealed that the Rev. Peter Heiss, brother of Rev. Henry Heiss, had a son William A. Heiss whose homestead and buggy works in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania is currently a museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. So, in addition to producing five successful Evangelical ministers, the William Heiss family has also left a legacy of at least two preserved historic homes that give us a glimpse into the lives of the hard working settlers in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The home is a Greek Revival with a four-bay facade. The center two bays each contain separate entries, leading many visitors to inquiry if the home is a duplex. This two-entry facade is a classic example of Penn-Duetsch or the Pennsylvania Farmhouse architectural style. The Pennsylvania Farmhouse style of architecture evolved from the combination of the Pennsylvania Flürkuchenhaus and more ‘conventional’ styles of architecture, such as Georgian, or in this case, Greek Revival design.
The original two-sided central chimney is a classic example of Pennsylvania Flürkuchenhaus or Pennsylvania German Farmhouse architecture from the early to mid 1800s. Examples of central chimney architecture are rare, as this style was replaced by gable-end fireplaces of English design. One side of the central chimney opens into a large cooking fireplace in the küch (kitchen) and the other side of the central chimney opens into a formal fireplace in the parlor or living room.
Rev. Henry Heiss was one of five sons of John Wilhelm (William) Heiss, Erie County, Pennsylvania, that became active ministers and circuit riders in the Evangelical Association. Rev. Henry Heiss joined the Evangelical Association in 1835 as a circuit rider in the Canton Circuit. By 1839 when the Western Conference of the Evangelical Association held session in Greensburg, Henry Heiss held the title of Deacon.
Interestingly, further research has revealed that the Rev. Peter Heiss, brother of Rev. Henry Heiss, had a son William A. Heiss whose homestead and buggy works in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania is currently a museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. So, in addition to producing five successful Evangelical ministers, the William Heiss family has also left a legacy of at least two preserved historic homes that give us a glimpse into the lives of the hard working settlers in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Recent Pictures of the
Rev. Henry Heiss Home
City of Green
Local Landmark Application
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