Oscar E. Heard (June 26, 1856 – July 16, 1940) was an American jurist. Born in

Freeport, Illinois Freeport is the county seat and largest city of Stephenson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 23,973 at the 2020 census, and the mayor of Freeport is Jodi Miller, elected in 2017. Freeport is known for hosting the second Linc ...

, Heard received his bachelor's degree from

Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Charte ...

and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1879. He practiced law in Freeport, Illinois and was state's attorney for

Stephenson County, Illinois Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 United States Census, it had a population of 47,711. Its county seat is Freeport. Stephenson County is included in the Freeport, IL Micropolitan Stati ...

. In 1909, Heard served as an Illinois circuit court judge and on the

Illinois Appellate Court The Illinois Appellate Court is the court of first appeal for civil and criminal cases rising in the Illinois Circuit Courts. Three Illinois Appellate Court judges hear each case and the concurrence of two is necessary to render a decision. The ...

. He was a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

. From 1924 until 1933, Heard served on the Illinois Supreme Court and served as acting chief justice in 1927–1928 and 1932–1933. Heard then practiced law with his son in Freeport. Heard died at his home in Freeport, Illinois.'Former Judge Dies-Oscar E. Heard, Freeport Justice, Dies Last Night,' Freeport Journal Standard, July 17, 1940, pg. 1, 5

Notes

1856 births 1940 deaths People from Freeport, Illinois Northwestern University alumni Illinois lawyers Illinois Republicans Illinois state court judges Chief Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court {{Illinois-politician-stub