“The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  
Western Historical Company.   1879.


ERNST HEILMAN, farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Watertown; born Dec. 17, 
1815, in Silesia, Germany; came to America in 1839; located in Chicago 
and worked at shoemaking, and for the Canal Company until the 
Company failed; then went to Milwaukee, and almost imediately to 
Sugar Creek Prairie, Walworth Co.; worked at farming till 1844, when 
he came to Ixonia Township, Jefferson Co., having bought eighty acres 
of land here, in 1843, built a small shanty, and, in 1846, a log house.  In 
1855, bought seventy acres of land.  In 1857, erected a brick house, 
which , in 1879, he enlarged and improved.  In 1857, lost a barn with 
everything in it, valued at $1,0000, by fire; he was the first man in the 
township who owned a thrashing machine, reaper, etc.; also was the first 
German who learned to speak the English language.  Was Supervisor of 
the township five years and Assessor two years; was one of the 
petitioners for the establishment of District School No. 2, and trying to 
convince the Germans of the necessity of educating their offspring.  
Three of his family are now school teachers; two in this township and 
one in Nebraska.  Married Miss Dorothea Maasz, of Pomerania, Sept. 
26, 1844.  They have had nine children – Wilhelmina, born June 23, 
1845; died in June, 1878; Ernst G., born Oct. 29, 1846; Maria C., April 
23, 1848; Sarah E., April 9, 1850; Magdaline E., April 12, 1852; 
Heinrich, Aug. 18, 1854; Hanna J., March 8, 1848; Ernst Wilhelm, 
March 6, 1860; Franklin E., March 29, 1862, died June 23, 1863.  
Members of the Lutheran Church.



Submitted by:  Linda Pingel  (LPingel@worldnet.att.net)