Heidelbach was born in Bavaria in 1814[1] where he was learning the butcher trade[2] In 1837, he immigrated to the United States first settling briefly in New York City[3][4] where he invested all his money in $8 of merchandise which he converted into $150 after three months.
[5] In the early 1840s, he went into business with another Jewish peddler, Jacob Seasongood, founding dry good store Heidelbach, Seasongood & Co.[3][4] By 1860, they had a large clothing factory[2] which prospered making clothing and blankets for the Union Army with $1.2 million in sales by 1864[6] becoming the largest clothing manufacturer in the Mississippi Valley.
[1] In 1861, he co-founded the bank Espy, Heidelbach & Co with a gentile partner.
[3][2] In 1865, he moved to New York City and set up his own private bank.
[4] He served as president of the School Board of B'nai Israel and was active in the Hebrew Benevolent Society.