Born in Chicago, Illinois, Hiestand was a 1910 graduate of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.

A Republican and member of the John Birch Society, he represented California's 21st congressional district from 1953 until 1963, when he was defeated by Everett G. Burkhalter, a Los Angeles city councilman.

The 21st district covered the northern 2/3 of Los Angeles County, including the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre on the east to Burbank and the San Fernando Valley on the west and the Antelope Valley (including Edwards Air Force Base) on the north.

[3] Hiestand served on the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor where he sponsored and supported revisions to the business-labor statutes.

Prior to being elected to Congress, Hiestand engaged in a career of retailing, concluding with Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Glendale, California.