He located at Ida Grove, Iowa, August 20, 1877. He was born in Cedar County, Iowa, July 18, 1856, son of Samuel and Mary (Ranck) Heilman. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He was reared in Iowa, received his literary education at Cornell College and took his medical course at the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, graduating at the latter institution in March 1877.
Upon his arrival here he entered into a partnership with Dr. F. D. Seeber, & was associated with him for 2 years. After conducting his practice alone for 2 years, Dr. Heilman formed a partnership with Dr. Giles Moorehead, who had just graduated and with whom he practiced 4 years. He was elected to the office of County Treasurer in 1883, but resumed his practice the first of 1888.
He was married September 20, 1877, to Nancy J. Blazer of Cedar County, Iowa, daughter of George W. and Catharine (Scarlett) Blazer. They had three children: Earnest S., Ralph E., and Frank B.