John Heilman enlisted in South Carolina and served seven years. His heroic wife, during his absence, cultivated the farm and took care of their small children. He moved to Indiana in the fall of 1833 and died in 1834. Mr. Heilman carried with him through the war a box 4x8 inches made by his ancestor in Germany about 1600. It was sent to this country in 1772. It is made of black pine and was put together with wooden pins, as it was made before nails were manufactured. It was used by the paymaster of his regiment as a money box. John Heilman gave it to his daughter, Elizabeth Heilman Shook in 1821, and she bequeathed it to her son, John Heilman Shook of Ellettsville by whom it is greatly prized.