Bio: Hilton, William H. (History - 1841)
Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: HILTON AYER MACK HUGHS
 

1891 HISTORY OF CLARK & JACKSON CO, WI, pg. 167-168

WILLIAM H. HILTON, a highly respected member of the farming community of Loyal Township, is the subject of the following biographical notice. He was born in Holton, Maine, January 13, 1841, and is a son of Silas and Pollie (Ayer) Hilton, natives of Maine. They emigrated to the West when Ohio was on the frontier, and settled in Defiance County there they resided until 1865, when they decided to push on farther towards the setting sun. They located this time in Trempeleau County, Wisconsin, where they father passed the remainder of his days the mother still survives. Mr. Hilton was a stone and brick mason by trade, and followed this occupation the most of his life. He and his wife were honored members of the Universalist Church. They reared a family of four children: Henry M., John, William H., and Silas.

William H. Hilton passed his early childhood and youth in Defiance County, Ohio, where he received his education. At the age of sixteen years he started out in the world for himself, going to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he at once engaged in the lumber business since that time he has given the greater portion of his time and energies to this great industry. In 1873 he purchased a tract of eighty acres of which are cleared and under cultivation. He has erected roomy and substantial buildings, and has made many modern improvements. The place has an air of neatness and prosperity, which index the character of the owner.

Mr. Hilton is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 181, at Greenwood, and of the G. A. R. Post at Loyal. In the beginning of the late war, August 8, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company A, First Battalion, Sixteenth United States Infantry, and served until June 13, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability, having received a gun-shot wound in the thigh at the battle of Stone River. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River and Perryville. He escaped being taken prisoner, and was wounded but the one time.

April 18, 1873, he was joined in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Mack, a native of the Dominion of Canada, and a daughter of Erastus and Maria (Hughs) Mack. Three children have been born of this union: Mark R, Cullen R. and William H., Jr.