BIOGRAPHY

WILLIAM H. HEAL - STAFFORD, NY

Heal, William H., was born in Stafford, July 5, 1852. His father, Matthew W. Heal, was a native of England and came to the United States in 1836 with his parents, John and Mary Heal, who settled in Oakfield. M. W. Heal married Harriet, daughter of John March, and was a farmer and hotel keeper. William H. Heal was educated in the common schools and was engaged in farming for twenty years. In 1881 he began the produce and coal business in Le Roy, remaining there until 1896 when he was elected sheriff of Genesee County and removed to Batavia in 1897. The famous trial of Howard C. Benham for murder occurred during the first year of Mr. Heal's term as sheriff. The excellent order and perfect freedom from confusion which he maintained in the court room received the well merited commendation of court and counsel In 1870 Mr. Heal married Emma D., daughter of Salma and Betsey White: they had three children: Homer S., Florence and Ethel.

Source: Our County and its people, A descriptive work on Genesee County, New York, Edited by: F. W. Beers, J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890