Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hilton, Almon N 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 2:04 pm

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

ALMON N. HILTON. The record of the subject of this sketch entitles him to 
conspicuous mention in the present work, for his life is an example of the 
power of resolute working and steadfast integrity, and illustrates in no 
uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and 
determination form the keynote of a man's life. He is now in the prime of 
life, and the position he has already attained, though worthy of commendation, 
is without doubt but an index to future years of prosperity. His keen business 
acumen and progressive ideas have not only placed him in the front rank of the 
citizens of Symerton, but have also made him prominent among the grain dealers 
in the county. Mr. Hilton was born in North Anson, Somerset County, Me., 
August 6, 1857, a son of Joshua N. and Nancy H. (Knolton) Hilton. He was one 
of a family of six children, four of whom are living. His sisters are: Laura, 
wife of J. J. Newell, of Waterville, Me.; H. May, wife of Eugene Lawrence, of 
Madison, Me.; and Winnifred, who resides with her father. The Hilton ancestry 
is traced back to William Hilton, a man of influence and a Revolutionary 
soldier. During that war two of his brothers were killed by Indians. After 
peace had been declared he moved up the Kennebec River and settled on a tract 
of land in Somerset County. On this place he built a log cabin and later a 
frame house. It was in this home that his son, Joshua, grew to manhood, 
surrounded by all the environments of the frontier. The only advantages which 
he had were those physical benefits derived from an outdoor life; there were 
no public schools, and even subscription schools were few in number, so he was 
forced to depend upon his unaided exertions in obtaining a knowledge of the 
three R's. After his marriage to Sarah Heald he removed to another part of 
Somerset County, and there his subsequent years were uneventfully passed. On 
this homestead Joshua N. Hilton was born in 1835. Some time after his marriage 
he purchased and removed to the property upon which his grandfather, William, 
had settled as a pioneer. He has since continued to reside on that place, 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. While he is not an office seeker nor a 
politician, he is a man of influence in his community, and a stalwart 
supporter of the Republican party. He has long been active in the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and at one time held the highest office in his home 
lodge. He had a brother, Amos (now deceased), who was a member of the Maine 
legislature and took an important part in the passing of beneficial measures 
during his time as a public servant. The village of North Anson, at an early 
period of its existence, alive to the advantages afforded by a good education, 
had founded in its midst an academy where the knowledge acquired in public 
schools could be supplemented by a thorough course in the higher branches. It 
was in this institution that our subject completed his education. As he grew 
to manhood the question of a permanent occupation and location occupied much 
of his time. He looked about him upon the surroundings with which he had been 
familiar from his earliest recollections; he saw a small town, remote from the 
business centers of the country; obscure and unknown; its citizens as a rule 
unambitious, its opportunities meagre. Believing that the west would afford 
greater privileges he determined to seek a home here. Reaching Illinois he at 
once sought employment, for he had little money and was anxious to secure any 
work that offered an honest livelihood. His first position was in an elevator 
at New Lenox, this county. His work was exceedingly difficult and exhausting, 
and after fourteen months, finding his health was giving way under the strain, 
he felt obliged to resign. During the summer of 1880 he visited California, 
with a view to recuperating his health. He found a business opening at 
Orofino, Siskiyou County, that state, and so remained there for thirteen 
months. Meantime his former employer at New Lenox had been urging him to 
return, promising him more congenial employment in his mercantile business 
which he conducted in connection with the grain business. Thus Mr. Hilton was 
influenced to return. For four years he remained in the store. In 1885 he and 
his cousin, G. S. Hilton, bought a grain elevator at Manhattan, and he took 
charge of the business. This was the beginning of his success. From that time 
he pushed his way ahead, with fewer obstacles than before. In December, 1888, 
he and his cousin sold the business at Manhattan, and he came to Symerton, 
purchasing the elevator at this place early in 1889. Here he built a large new 
elevator and also added to his grain trade a drain, tile, coal and lumber 
business. In political sentiment Mr. Hilton is a Republican. Though in no 
sense a politician, he takes an earnest and active part in the conduct of 
public affairs, and in casting his ballot at local elections casts his vote 
for a candidate differing with himself in politics if he believes that 
candidate will better serve the people than his own party's nominee; for it is 
his belief that in local matters the man and the principle should carry more 
weight than the opinions of the candidate concerning protective tariff, free 
coinage of silver, expansion, and other national problems. At various times he 
has held the town offices and he has also served as supervisor of Florence 
Township, into which office he has brought the same business traits and the 
same energy noticeable in his private affairs. Fraternally he is connected 
with Symerton Camp No. 4361, Modern Woodmen of America. In 1886 he married 
Miss Christina Bouch, of Mokena, who was born in Manhattan Township. They had 
four children, Lester A., Roy, Lloyd and Merl. The oldest son, born September 
1, 1887, died March 4, 1900; the youngest, born August 11, 1893, is the only 
one living; and the other sons died in infancy, while Mrs. Hilton passed away 
February 6, 1895.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/hilton1179gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

File size: 6.8 Kb