William Heilman

For the composer, see William Clifford Heilman.

William Heilman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 1st district
In office March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1883
Preceded by	Benoni S. Fuller
Succeeded by	John J. Kleiner
Member of the Indiana Senate
In office 1876 – March 3, 1879
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the ? district
In office 1870–1876
Personal details
Born	(1824-10-11)October 11, 1824 Albig, Grand Duchy of Hesse
Died	September 22, 1890(1890-09-22) (aged 79) Evansville, Indiana, U.S.
Resting place	Oak Hill Cemetery
Party	Republican
Relatives	Charles M. La Follette (great-grandson)

William Heilman (October 11, 1824 – September 22, 1890) was an American businessman who served two terms as a U.S. representative from Indiana from 1879 to 1883.

He was the great-grandfather of Charles Marion LaFollette.

Biography

Born in Albig, Grand Duchy of Hesse, Heilman immigrated to the United States in 1843 and settled on a farm in Posey County, Indiana. After moving to Evansville, Indiana, he worked for a manufacturing company and subsequently became president of a cotton mill. In 1847, he founded a machine shop for the manufacture of drills.

Political career

Heilman served as a member of the city council 1852–1865, a member of the Indiana House of Representatives 1870–1876 and a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1876. He served in the Indiana State Senate from 1876 until March 3, 1879.

Congress

Heilman was elected as a Republican to the Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1883). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1882 to the Forty-eighth Congress, losing the general election to John Kleiner.

Later career and death

Heilman resumed his former business activities.

He died in Evansville, Indiana, September 22, 1890 and was interred in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Electoral history

General election 1878

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Heilman	13,928	48.7
	Democratic	Thomas E. Garvin	13,928	48.7
	Greenback	Thomas F. Drebruler	1,595	5.6

General election 1880

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Heilman	17,719	49.4
	Democratic	John Kleiner	17,420	48.6

General election 1882

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Kleiner	18,048	51.6
	Republican	William Heilman	16,399	46.9

References

• United States Congress. "William Heilman (id: H000451)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.