Source: History of West Virginia Old and New and West Virginia Biography Vol. III by Special Staff of Writers. Chicago and New York: The American Historical Society, Inc. 1923 pp. 612-613.
"Capt. Jacob W. Heavner, now past the age of four score, is retired, and though long prominently connected with business affairs at Buckhannon his home is on his farm in Upshur County, in the loop of the Buckhannon River. Captain Heavner has been one of the very valuable men to the community and the enterprise of Buckhannon. He represents one of the oldest families in this section of the state, and the family record is one of sturdy patriotism and of enterprise through all the generations.
The family of Heavner is of German origin, and was spelled Havener, and some times Havenor, but from what section of Germany this particular branch of the family came from is not known. The history of the family herein alluded to in America begins with the arrival from Germany of Nicholas Havener, his wife, two sons, Jacob and Frederick, and two daughters, Catreen and one whose name is not remembered, some time prior to May 20, 1755, the date on which he made his first purchase of land situate on the southermost branch of the south branch of the Potomac River. The naturalization papers of this Nicholas Havener are still in existence, and plainly show the seal of `Our Sovereign Lord, King George, the third.' The date of the instrument is May 18, 1761, which bears also the signature of Fran Farquier, `His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia.' It is somewhat difficult to determine the correct spelling of the name of the family, for even in the third generation the family seemed to have written almost exclusively in German; however, in the first deeds of conveyance and naturalization papers it was spelled `Havener.'
Jacob Havener, eldest son of Nicholas Havener, married Mary Mallow, and it is presumed that she died soon after December 4, 1804, as this is the last date her name appears on any legal instruments made or executed by her husband. There were born to Jacob and Mary (Mallow) Havener eight children, as follows: Nicholas, Adam, Henry Michael, Samuel Peter, Margaret, Mary, Jacob and John.
Nicholas Havener II, son of Jacob and Mary (Mallow) Havener was born in Pendleton County, West Virginia (then Virginia), and migrated to what is now known as Upshur County, West Virginia, at a point on the Buckhannon River, where he purchased a tract of 400 acres of land from George Jackson, lying partly in Harrison and partly in Randolph counties, including the former site of `Bush Fort,' near which the residence was erected. He married Mary Props. Nicholas Havener died August 3, 1843, and his wife, May 19, 1841. Their children were Catherine, wife of John Dean; Polly, wife of Daniel Post; Sarah, wife of George Radabaugh; Elizabeth, wife of John Mowery; Phoebe, wife of Kinsey Ward; Anna, wife of John B. Shreves; Malinda, wife of Jacob M. Harr; Jane, wife of Washington Caplinger; Jacob, born in Pendleton County, February 7, 1801, married Mary Martin; Elias, born in Pendleton County, April 9, 1805, married Elizabeth Hyre.
Elias Heavner, younger of the two sons, was the father of Capt. Jacob Heavner. He was born as noted, and died October 10, 1884. He married in 1829 Elizabeth Hyre, who was born February 14, 1809, and died August 2, 1902. After their marriage they settled on the old homestead in Upshur County, and remained there industriously engaged in farming and in the duties of good citizenship. Both were very faithful and active members of the Methodist Church, Elias Heavner being a class leader and trustee, and their home was always open for the entertainment of ministers of the Gospel. Elias Heavner and wife had a family of one daughter and seven sons, and the only sons to survive early manhood were Capt. Jacob W. and Clark W., both of whom are still living at Buckhannon.
Jacob W. Heavner was born January 27, 1841, and during his youth he acquired a subscription school education. About the time the Civil war broke out he was suffering from typhoid fever, and as soon as he recovered he volunteered and was commissioned a second lieutenant. Just before going into service he and his brother and other recruits were captured in a raid made by General Jenkins on Buckhannon, and he was held a prisoner from August, 1862, until March, 1863. Jacob Heavner after being exchanged by general order helped organize Company M of the Third West Virginia Cavalry, and was elected a first lieutenant and was with his regiment for two years, participating in the raid on Lynchburg and in the campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley under Custer and Sheridan. For special gallantry he was promoted to captain, and received the brevet rank of major, conferred by President Andrew Johnson at the close of the war. Captain Heavner was mustered out at Wheeling in July, 1865, and soon returned home to take up the duties of earnest citizenship that has constituted him one of the forceful men of Upshur County for over half a century. He organized and was an active member of G.A.R. Post No 49 at Buckhannon, and for a number of years was its commander. In 1869 he was appointed by Judge Irving as sheriff of Upshur County, and was twice elected to that office, serving from 1869 to 1876. He has long been a leader in the republican party in his county, was a delegate to the National Convention of 1884, was an alternate to the convention of 1888, was on the electoral ticket of 1892, was an alternate delegate in 1900, and in 1904 led the electoral ticket of the state. He was a member at large and president of the Board of Equalization of the state in 1900.
Captain Heavner has always had farming interests, and for a number of years he was in the real estate business at Buckhannon and lived in the city for thirteen years, in a home built on the site of the Catholic Hospital. He served as director in two railroad companies, and helped organize three of the banks of the city, was a director of the Buckhannon Bank, a director and vice president of the Traders National Bank, a director and vice president of the Traders National bank up to the time he resigned, and a director of the People's Bank.
On June 1, 1871, Captain Heavner married Leah Anna Reger, who was born at Kingwood, West Virginia, daughter of Rev. John W. and Rebecca Anna (Brown) Reger. Her father was a minister of the Methodist Church and a trustee of West Virginia Wesleyan College. Mrs. Heavner was educated at Morgantown, and died May 5, 1917. She is survived by one daughter, Reta B., who is the wife of Frank Porter Maxwell of Buckhannon, and they have a daughter, Virginia Lee Maxwell.
Captain Heavner and wife were active members of the Methodist Church at Buckhannon, on whose official board he served for many years and labored untiringly as superintendent of the Sunday school and in promoting the general welfare of the church, constantly assisted by his devoted wife. Captain Heavner and Mrs. Heavner were inseparably linked in their love and devotion to their family, and their love of home broadened into a devotion to all the good interests of the community, loyalty and patriotism being dominant characteristics of their lives."