Bios of Hilger, Nicholas J. (b.1873) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Hilger, Nicholas J. (page 719), at different times a resident of Mazeppa
village, and for several years a merchant here until his recent death, was
born at Bellevue, Iowa, January 30, 1873, and was a boy when he came to
Mazeppa with his parents. He acquired his education in the village school,
and after entering the ranks of industry was occupied in painting and
paper- hanging in Mazeppa and the vicinity until 1902. He then moved to
Red Wing, where for four years he was engineer in the Red Wing Mill. In
1906 he entered the Red Wing Linseed Mill, where he was chief engineer for
11 years. In 1917 Mr. Hilger returned to Mazeppa and bought the G. H.
Squire furniture business, later expanding his business by adding an
undertaking department. He received an extensive patronage and was
enjoying a well earned prosperity when he was called away by death on
April 28, 1920. For some months previously he had been seriously ill. A
contemplated operation was abandoned because it was found that the disease
from with he suffered had progressed too far for aid. He endured the long
wait for the end with exemplary courage, and his cheerfulness aided his
family to overcome the despondency which might otherwise have affected
them at the suffering of a loved one. Mr. Hilger served one term as a
member of the village council of Mazeppa. He was a member of the Catholic
church and of several societies, including the Knights of Columbus at Red
Wing; the Catholic Order of Foresters, of which he was secretary at the
time of his death, and the SS. Peter and Paul Society. He was held in
universal esteem as a business man eminently fair in all his dealings and
a useful and friendly neighbor and citizen. To his family he was a loving,
thoughtful and provident husband and father. Mr. Hilger was married June
27, 1900, to Mayme H. Reding, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Reding of
Mazeppa village. Of this union three children were born: Clarence J. A.,
April 3, 19032; Wilfred N., November 8, 1907, and Bernard G., July 28,
1911. Clarence is now a student at St. Mary's College, Winona. Since her
husband's death Mrs. Hilger has operated the furniture store. While
residing in Red Wing she passed through all the chairs in the Degree of
Honor, and has served as vice president and adviser of the Ladies'
Catholic Aid Society of Mazeppa. In addition to his wife and children, Mr.
Hilger left seven brothers and three sisters: Michael, Alexander, Dan,
William, Kate and Mrs. George Sand, of Mazeppa; Mrs. Clara Huberts, of
Pine Island; John, of Wabasha; George, of Weaver; and Dr. J. M. Hilger, of
Ione, all of whom were present at his funeral.