Recollections: Legends of Yesterday - J.M. Heisler

­­This is a reprint of original articles by Hugh Woolley, a longtime resident and community leader of Graceville. Woolley published these articles in The Graceville News more than 20 years ago.

Originally published in the November 02, 2000 edition of The Graceville News.

The purpose of this column is to record as much detailed history and anecdotes from the surrounding area as possible. A historical society has recently been organized for Graceville. It has been well received. We have had three regular meetings, growing in attendance at every meeting. Many thanks should go to Carolyn Wicksell, Tami Worley, and Dorothy Padgett for helping get this started. If these young people are interested in this endeavor, we should help them. Dr. Kinchen has promised a building for archives or a museum. The group meets the 3rd Thursday at 6 p.m. at city hall, but the November 16th meeting will be in the old log house at Heritage Village on the Baptist College of Florida's campus. Charter members may join now for $10 until January 1, 2001, then it will go up to $15 per year Let me urge you who want to help out, to join up soon.

(The following is taken from the REA Current Light Flashes, August 1961)

James Madison Heisler was born in Terrell County, Georgia, on December 7, 1879. He moved to Graceville at the age of one year, in 1880, and lived here the rest of his life. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Heisler. He had one brother, G.S. Heisler, who lives just south of Graceville, and one sister, Mrs. Julia Mitchell, who died in 1938.

On July 7, 1901, he married Lula Grant. To them were born seven children - four sons: Otis, Rex, Paul and Bruce; and three daughters: Monette, Agnes and Willie Ruth.

Mr. Heisler was a farmer for most of his life. During his early married life, he worked in Dr. Grace's Drug Store, Smith's Dry Goods Store, and Waters and Davis Stores. He was member of Damascus Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon for about 50 years and as Superintendent of the Sunday School for a good many years. He always enjoyed singing immensely. Mr. Heisler did evangelistic singing for many preachers in this area and was a member of a quartet for a good many years.

On July 7, 1951, he and Mrs. Heisler celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. On July 7, 1961, they had been married for 60 years.

My Close Friend, J.M. Heisler

by: J.T. Sapp

In January 1904. I moved to this section of the country. One of the first people I met was Jimmie Heisler. He has been a true friend all these years. He was an unselfish builder in the various organizations to which he belonged, never too busy day or night to lend a helping hand to his fellow man.

When I first met him, he was in the timber business, furnishing timber for the Tom Blackman Sawmill, located then on what is now known as the Joe Cooley place, about two miles south of Graceville. I started to Damascus Baptist Church in February 1904 and found Jimmie a very active worker. Over the period of years, he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Choir Director, Deacon, and was a faithful worker until the time God saw fit to call him.

In 1936 and 1937, we had a small grocery store together where the Culberth Farmers Market is now located. He was a Trustee of the REA since its organization. I served with him fourteen years in this capacity. He was a capable advisor, working for the best interest of the REA at all times.

In his passing, I have suffered a great loss. We never missed a week seeing or talking to each other, from the horse and buggy days to the time our telephones were installed- talking about our farms, seed, cattle raising, harvesting, etc. We made many trips together. He seemed close enough for a brother.

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