7. Andrew Bernard Heberer Sr. (1910-1913)
Served 3 Years
Andrew Heberer was born on July 12, 1865, and was the son of Kasper and Elizabeth (Grimm) Heberer. He resided at 231 Broadway and Old Country Road. He would marry Elizabeth Herbst in 1887. She passed away in 1905 and he married Florence Pledger in 1905.
This is the second time that Andrew Heberer served as Chief. He joined as a member of Protection Hook and Ladder Co. #1. He was Foreman of the Company from 1887 through 1894 when he served his first term as Chief in 1895 through 1905. This time around his Assistant Chiefs were Carl Karlson and Albert Miller and Edward Schluter Sr.. He is the only member to serve multiple terms and years.
He served as a Judge and Justice of the Peace in Hicksville, serving out of the local Courthouse (now the Gregory Museum) on Heitz Place. He became interested in politics at an early age and was a member and leader with the Robert L. Bacon Republican Club. He served the Oyster Bay Town Board and was the Chaplain of Nassau County Jail for over 20 years and for the Jones Institute. He was a founding member of the Bank of Hicksville, where he served on its Board of Directors.
As a member and Past President of the Hicksville Board of Education he was instrumental in the construction of what is now the Middle School. He was a Director and Past President of Plain Lawn Cemetery and an Odd Fellow for over 42 years. He was also a Mason Thirty-second Degree and President of Methodist Sunday School.
During his term, Chief Heberer was saddened to learn of the passing of former Commissioner Henry Puvogel. He was a resident of Hicksville for over 65 years and retired from business. He was a native of Germany and owned a farm. He conducted a hotel business in the city and was at one time proprietor of a livery stable on Fourth Avenue opposite Madison Square Garden.
In January of 1911, Citizens Engine Company 3 was disbanded by the Board of Fire Commissioners and supported by Chief Heberer. Some of the members were transferred to Company 1 and 2. On February 7, 1912, several of the ladies of the village wishing to be of some
assistance to the firemen, met and organized into the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fire Department. Under their first president, Hanna Weiss, they grew quickly with Chief Heberer’s assistance. They have grown in strength and have continuously provided great assistance. The membership provided homemade refreshments during dinners and other affairs.
At the age of 69, Chief Heberer suffered a fatal heart attack while driving home on February 5, 1935, and he is interred at the Bethpage United Methodist Cemetery in Bethpage.
