Augustus H. Heisey (1842-1922) was born in Hanover, Germany. His family emigrated to the United States in 1843 and settled in Merrittown, Pennsylvania. Following his father's death and his mother's return to Germany, Augustus lived with his sister. After leaving school, he entered the printing business for a short time. He made a career change in 1861, becoming a glass clerk with the King Glass Company in Pittsburgh.
The Civil War interrupted his career however, and he enlisted in the Army in 1862. He served with Company C of the 155th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers and fought in several battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg for the capture of Little Round Top. In 1864, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. He left the Army the following year.
Augustus then resumed his career in the glass industry, becoming first a shipping clerk and later a salesman for Ripley & Company of Pittsburgh. He was regarded as one of the best salesmen in the industry. In 1870, he married Susan N. Duncan, daughter of George Duncan, Sr., who soon became the sole owner of the Ripley Glass Company and renamed it Geo. Duncan & Sons. Augustus later became part owner of the Duncan Glass Company along with his wife and brother-in-law.
In 1895, Augustus Heisey moved to Newark, Ohio and opened a glass factory there. The factory was in operation from 1896. Augustus died in 1922, and his sons E. Wilson and T. Clarence assumed control of the company. They ran the factory successfully until it ceased production in 1957.
