William Luman Hilliard (1848 - 1937)

Born 19 Sep 1848 in Sheffield Lake, Lorain, Ohio, United States

Ancestors

Son of Joseph Warren Hilliard and Lorinda (Griswold) Hilliard

Husband of Mary Ophelia (Lockman) Hilliard — married 1 Jul 1868 in New Amsterdam, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States

Descendants

Died 5 Sep 1937 at age 88 in Fosston, Polk, Minnesota, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Carrie Portlance [send private message]

Biography

William was born on 19 Sep 1848 to Joseph Hilliard and Lorinda Griswold.^[1] He moved with his parents to Holland, LaCrosse, WI before 1860.^[2] William enlisted in the Union Army on 18 Aug 1864 during the Civil War at the age of 16.^[3] He was mustered out on 22 Jul 1865 at Edgefield, Smith, TN.^[3] This would shape much of his life as he was very active in the Grand Army of the Republic, attending many encampments and even serving as the MN State Commander at one point. (See his Family Search profile to see links to dozens of membership records linked: [1]). His obituary also mentions involvement in the Temperance Movement which several of his siblings were also heavily involved in.

William married Mary Lockman on 22 Feb 1868 in New Amsterdam, LaCrosse, WI.^[4] They had 6 children together with 2 sons dying as infants. William and Mary moved to Hawley, Clay, MN and then settled at Lengby, Polk, MN with William's brother Charles and his family. The brothers cleared the land that would become the streets of Lengby.^[5] Over the years he worked as a farm laborer, carpenter, machinist, blacksmith and lumber manufacturer. William and Mary divorced in 1909 while they were living in Koochiching county, MN. He died on 5 Sep 1937 in Fosston, Polk, MN of pneumonia^[1] and was buried in the Lengby City Cemetery on 8 Sep 1937.^[6]

Obit From The Thirteen Towns:

W. L. Hilliard, Civil War Vet, Succumbs Sunday

William Luman Hilliard, last of the veterans of the Civil War of the East Polk county community passed away at the hospital [can't read] Sunday afternoon at 2:55, and leaves the number of veterans of the war of rebellion at one. The lone survivor is J. O. Sargent of Crookston.

At the turn of the century here at Lengby, were quite a number of Civil War veterans, wearers of the uniform of the Grand Army of the Republic. One by one, however, they succumbed to the toll of time, until only William L. Hilliard, who enlisted at the age of sixteen years, remained. Sturdily active in the affairs of the G.A.R., he was forced to curtail his activities in the organization two years ago, but until the end retained his interest in its affairs.

Intensely patriotic, service in other wars was a natural bond between their veterans and Mr. Hilliard. He was especially friendly to veterans of the Spanish-American war and of the World War. War service was a characteristic of the family. A great-great grandfather fought for the English in the French and Indian war. His great grandfather, Jonathan Hilliard served in the continental army against the British, and a great grandfather on his maternal side was in the War of 1812. Three nephews served with the American forces in the World War.

Mr. Hilliard was a private in Company L of the First Regiment of Wisconsin Cavalry in the Civil War, enlisting at LaCrosse, Wis., August 18, 1864. He was mustered out of service at Edgefield, Tenn., July 19, 1865. His discharge paper gives his age at 18 years, although actually he was two months short of arriving at his seventeenth birthday. Also he lacked a month of being sixteen years old when he enlisted as a substitute, taking the place of a drafted man.

William Hilliard was born near Avon, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1848, the oldest son of Joseph Warren and Lorinda Griswold Hilliard. He was married to Mary Lockman in La Crosse county, Wis., February 22, 1866. To this union were born six children, two of whom survive.

In 1880 he moved with his family to Hawley, where he engaged in the machinery business, and also operated a blacksmith and wood working shop. At Hawley he became interested in the temperance movement and was at one time Chief Templar of the Hawley I.O.G.T. lodge, and took a prominent part in the activities of the organization. While at Hawley he also served as deputy sheriff of Clay county.

Disposing of his interests at Hawley, he moved with his family to the Thirteen Towns in 1893, building and operating one of the first sawmills in Columbia township. When the railroad was built through in 1898, he moved the mill to the shore of Spring lake and operated it for a short time.

For the past several years, Mr. Hilliard has divided his time between Bemidji and Lengby. While a resident of Lengby he took an active part in the affairs of the community.

Active in the affairs of the G.A.R., he missed few encampments, and for many years was patriotic instructor for the Minnesota Department. He was state commander of the G.A.R. in 1931-32. In the early days of his residence in Lengby he assisted in the organization of Grand Army posts throughout northern Minnesota.

Surviving are his son, Wilfred Hilliard, a daughter, Mrs. Cora E. Albright of Lengby, two brothers, C.E. Hilliard of Lengby and J.W. Hilliard of Brainerd, and a sister, Mrs. Annie Gill of Minneapolis. Also surviving are ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Lengby Wednesday afternoon in Fridhem church at 2 o'clock preceded by a short service in the home of Mr. Hilliard's daughter, Mrs. Cora Albright. Rev. G.W. Sanstead, pastor of the church, officiated at the services, using as his text the second epistle of Paul to Timothy, verses six to eight of the fourth chapter. Wallace B. Ruud sang a solo, and Mrs. Luhman and Katie Krause sang a duet. Nearer by God to Three and Rock of ages were sung by the audience.

World War veterans from Lengby, Fosston and Bemidji provided military rites, an often expressed wish of Mr. Hilliard. Pallbearers were six veterans of the Lengby Post of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Tangen Post of the American Legion provided color bearers and color guards and a firing squad. Taps were blown over the grave by John Sather.

From "Heritage Days"

Good Evening, Ladies, Gentlemen, Children

I would like to introduce myself as William Luman Hilliard

I was born on September 19th, eighteen hundred and forty eight, in Lorain Ohio.

As a child I was taught from two important doctrines, The Holy Bible and Consitution of the United States, Both provided the back bone for the country.

Like all youngsters I grew into my teens with need to experience More from life. And as I saw it, the United States was providing Me with an opportunity, it was called the Civil War.

Being not quite sixteen, I headed for the recruiting station at LaCrosse Wisconsin, I was sure no one would know me there.

As I entered the recruiting station a man in a blue uniform was Yelling at a man dressed like me, not knowing what to do, I stayed Back and listened.

The Sergeant as he turned out to be was telling this civilian that his Country had drafted him for a reason, and that his family and farm Would have to wait until after the war. As I sat there wondering how one gets drafted, the sergeant told the Civilian the only way he could get out of his obligation was to find Someone to take his place, That was ME

I walked up to the desk and told the sergeant that I was just the Man to take this mans place. The sergeant laughed at me, I will never forget the sergeant words “Come back when you grow up son”

I had come to far to give up so easily Sergeant, I said, I come from a long line of warriors, My Great great grampa fought for England in the French and Indian War And my great grampa Jonathon Hilliard served in the Continental Army against the British And my other great grampa on mama side fought in the war of 1812 I guess the mans pleas to get out of his obligation, And my youthful enthusiasm to take his place was more then the Sergeant cared to deal with, the man was excused and I was Enlisted into Company L of the First Regiment of Wisconsin Calvary. Private William Luman Hilliard, it had a nice ring to it In the winter of 64 I was hospitalized with frozen feet I remember as I laid in my bed I thought that God must be Punishing me for looking that Sergeant right in the eye and telling Him I was sixteen I was mustered out of the service July 19th eighteen hundred and Sixty five.

I drifted around for a while, But found myself back in LaCross Wisconsin where I met Mary Ophelia Lockman We wed and over the years had four children two sons and two Daughters, Herbert, Wilford, Minni, and Cora.

We moved from LaCrosse to Hawley Minnesota where my family Had settled after the war.

In Hawley I started cabinet shop which proved to be a very Successful business.

I remember one evening my brother Charles and family were over And after supper we found ourselves enjoying a smoke and talking As we often did about the country to the north of us. Timber, fish, game what more could a person want That evening we decided it was time to stop talking and head north Two days later we were on our way We traveled north for weeks until we came upon a beautiful lake Surrounded by tall straight timbers This was the spot, trees fell and cabins were built We made several trips from Hawley to the area that was to become Lengby And each time more and more people joined in developing this new Land The first summer three or four business buildings were erected Including what was to be called the Lengby Hotel built by Charles H. Kampstad Throughout my life I have taken great pride in my country I was active in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic And was Patriotic Instructor for the Minnesota Department for Many years. I served as the first commander in 1894 when a Grand Army of the Republic post was organized in Fosston. The post was known as Eagles Post No. 180.

One of my greatest moments was on July 6th 1920 at the age of 72, I was excepted into the Minnesota Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Before I say goodnight, I would like to thank my granddaughter Marion Bullock for keeping my memory alive and passing it on to Future generations.

Thank you and have a nice evening

[Bottom of last page says “Copied by David Vasilakes-July 1999 “Heritage Days.” On the front page in Darrell Stave’s handwriting it says “Received from Marion Bullock July 2003.”]

1850 Census in Avon, Lorain, OH:^[7]

1860 Census in Holland, LaCrosse, WI:^[2]

1870 Census in Holland, LaCrosse, WI:^[8]

1880 Census in Holland, LaCrosse, WI:^[9]

1885 State Census in Hawley, Clay, MN:^[10]

1890 Veteran's Census in Hawley, Clay, MN:^[11]

1895 State Census in Columbia Township, Polk, MN:^[12]

1900 Census in Columbia Township, Polk, MN:^[13]

1920 Census in Mahnomen, Mahnomen, MN:^[14]

1930 Census in Bemidji, Beltrami, MN:^[15]

DNA

• Parental relationship is confirmed by an AncestryDNA test match between his great-granddaughter P.S. and D.H. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA for P.S. and D.H.: 2nd-3rd cousin, known 3rd cousin, great-great-grandson of MRCA Joseph Warren Hilliard and Lorinda Griswold via their son Charles Edward Hilliard based on sharing 30 cM across 1 segment. Also at AncestryDNA P.S. matches A.L., great-great-granddaughter of Anna Serrelda Hilliard, daughter of MRCA Joseph Warren Hilliard and Lorinda Griswold with 94 cm on 5 segments, also a 3rd cousin. P.S. matches 24 other people with trees online at AncestryDNA.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Minnesota, U.S., Death Index, 1908-2017," Minnesota Department of Health; St Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota, Death Index, 1908-2017
   Ancestry Record 7316 #1076341 (accessed 17 December 2021)
   William L Hilliard death 5 Sep 1937 in Polk.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "United States Census, 1860," Citing Page: 190; Affiliate Publication Number: M653; Affiliate Film Number: 1417; FHL microfilm: 805417; Record number: 4923;
   FamilySearch (accessed 17 December 2021)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00141
   William Hilldritte (12) in Buyer, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Ohio.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} William L. Hilliard's Civil War Pension File, questionnaire dated 1 Sep 1904, in the possession of Carrie (Stave) Portlance
4. ↑ "Wisconsin Marriages, 1836-1930," Citing FHL microfilm: 1292004; Record number: 57;
   FamilySearch (accessed 18 December 2021)
   William Hilliard marriage to Mary O. Lockmann on 1 Jan 1868 in Holland, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States.
5. ↑ The Centennial History of the Thirteen Towns, published June 1983 by Richards Publishing Company, Inc. Gonvick, MN, "Lengby," p. 196.
6. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image).
   Find A Grave: Memorial #72988875 (accessed 2 May 2022)
   Memorial page for William Luman Hilliard (19 Sep 1848-5 Sep 1937), citing Saint Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Lengby, Polk County, Minnesota, USA; Maintained by Carrie Portlance (contributor 47551641).
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," Citing family 1199, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
   FamilySearch (accessed 18 December 2021)
   FamilySearch Image
   William L Hilgner (1) in Avon, Lorain, Ohio, United States.
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1870," Citing Page: 14; Affiliate Publication Number: M593; Line: 10; FHL microfilm: 000553220; Record number: 8625;
   FamilySearch (accessed 18 December 2021)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00222
   William Hilliard (22) head of household in Holland, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States.
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," Citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
   FamilySearch (accessed 18 December 2021)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00240
   William Hilliard (30), married head of household in Holland, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Ohio, United States.
10. ↑ "Minnesota State Census, 1885," Citing p. 4, volume Clay, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 565,736.
    FamilySearch (accessed 18 December 2021)
    Name: W K Hilliard; Race: W; Birth Date: 1849; Birth Place: Ohio; Residence Date: 1885; Residence Place: Hawley, Clay, Minnesota; Age: 36y; Age In Years: 36; County: Clay; Display Race Or Color: White; Estimated Birth Year: 1849; Ethnicity Std: Canadian; Race Std: White; Record Place: Hawley, Clay, Minnesota, United States; Volume: Clay.
11. ↑ "United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890," Citing NARA microfilm publication M123 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 338,184.
    FamilySearch (accessed 18 December 2021)
    FamilySearch Image
    W L Hilliard in Clay, Minnesota, United States.
12. ↑ "Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905"
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1058 #2447559 (accessed 18 December 2021)
    W L Hilliard (47) in Polk.
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," Citing enumeration district (ED) 207, sheet 1B, family 11, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,781.
    FamilySearch (accessed 18 December 2021)
    FamilySearch Image
    William L Williard (52), married head of household in Columbia Township, Polk, Minnesota, United States.
14. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," Citing Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Affiliate Film Number: 843; Line: 92; FHL microfilm: 1820843; Record number: 23216;
    FamilySearch (accessed 18 December 2021)
    FamilySearch Image Image number 00500
    William L Hilliard (73), divorced boarder in household of William L Hilliard (73) in Mahnomen, Mahnomen, Minnesota, United States.
15. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," Citing enumeration district (ED) ED 3, sheet 10A, line 8, family 213, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1079; FHL microfilm 2,340,814.
    FamilySearch (accessed 18 December 2021)
    FamilySearch Image Image number 00540
    William L Hilliard (81), widowed head of household in Bemidji, Beltrami, Minnesota, United States. Born in Ohio.