The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-11-08
JUDGE HECKERT.
Our Honored TOwnsman Highly spoken
of by Leading Michigan Daily.

Our Honored Townsman Highly spoken
of by a Leading Michigan Daily,
The Kalamazoo Telegraph of last Sat
urday contained the following highly
complimentary sketch of Judge Benz.
+. Heckert:
BENJAMIN Franklin HecSert came
from the state of great men, he having
first seen the light of day in the year
1910, in the county of Wayne, state of
Ohio. He must have had generous
strain of patriotic blood in his veins
he is of German descent, and it could
not be Otherwise-aS he was among the
very first TO offer his services to his
country at the breaking out of the war
of the rebellion, having enlisted in Co.
"C", 10Th Ohio infantry, on the Goth
day of April 1861, shortly after Presi-
dent Lincoln issued his first call for vol
unteers-75. 600 men for three months.
When that term of service expired, his
regiment reorganiZed as three year
men and young Benjamin became an
enlisted man in Co. "K". That he was
good soldier and brave man, is sufli-
ciently evidenced by the fact that
when he was finally mustered out of
the service he bore the rank of first
lieutenant, having passed through the
various grades of promotion required
To reach that honorable position. After
the war was over, he attended the law
department of the Michigan university,
of which he is graduate He became
a resident of Van Buren, county in 1863,
and has, with the exception of one
short interval, resided here ever since.
He was admitted to practice at the bar
in May, 1869, at Detroit, before the
Judges of the supreme court, session
of which WAS being held there at the
time. He began his legal practice in
South Haven and shortly afterward
formed law partnership with the late
Darius + Comstock, afterward circuit
Judge of this judicial circuit.
"Mr. Heckert soon took high rank at
the bar, where he has long been con-
sidered one of the leading practitioners
of the county. In 1870 he was elected
circuit court commissioner. In 1873,
vacancy occurred in the office of prose-
cutting attorney, caused by the appoint
ment of mir. Comstock to the office of
circuit Judge, and Mr.. Heckert was APP
pointed to fill the vacancy. So faith
fully did he discharge the duties of that
Office that his constituents elected him
to that position at the next election,
held in the fall of 1874, and kept him
there for three successive terms. Mr..
Heckert then continued the practice of
his profession at Paw Paw, but after a
time, thinking, perhaps, to improve his
prospects, he removed to Kansas City,
Mo, which place he struck just at the
define of its great boom. He soon found
that matters were not To his liking in
the west and, like many another, con-
cluded that Michigan was good enough
for him and returned to Paw Paw. At
the first election after his return, he
was elected to the office of judge of
probate, position he has held for the
past seven years with credit to himself
and honor TO his constituents.
1.-The Judge was a charter member of
Brodhead Post, e.. A. r., of Paw Paw,
and has served as its commander for
several different terms. He is an elo-
quent speaker, and, as he is Drumming
over with patriotism and love for the
flag of his country, he is always well
come visitor at any assemblage OF old
soldiers He is also "way-up" Mason
and has but just returned from Grand
Rapids, where he went to assist pill.
grims across the burning sands of the
great Sahara. Politically, the judge is
and always has been stalwart repub-
lican, and is recognized leader by his
political associates. 1t is early, per-
haps, TO speculate about political nomi-
nations, but it would not surprise Van
Buren, county people in the least if he
should prove formidable candidate for
the next congressman from the fourth
congressional district. At the Allegan
convention in 1892, where DR.. Thomas,
the present able congressman, was nom
mated on the 146th ballot, Judge Heck
ert was the leader of the gallant fight
made for Hon. j. j. Woodman He
was loyal to Woodman, and utterly re-
fused TO allow his own name to come be-
fore the convention.
Socially, the judge is a genial, good
fellow, although his habit of bluntly
and plainly speaking out his own con-
victions and calling things by their
right names has sometimes caused peo-
pie who did not know him intimately
to form a mistaken opinion of him.
Those who know him best like him
| best, and know that he is a whole
souled, kind-hearted gentleman, firm
and true friend, and an uncompromis-
ing enemy of everything he considers
TO be wrong or unjust"