BIO: William M. Hiller, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB & JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ________________________________________________ Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 342-344. ________________________________________________ Hiller, William M., was born on August 13, 1835, in Dover, Kent County, England. He attended a governess school, branch of London Borough Road School, private academy, and a high-grade night school in England, and after coming to this country he attended the Susquehanna Seminary. He was converted about midnight in his room, in the month of October, 1858. From the time he was twelve years old he had the impression that when converted he would have to preach. This impression never forsook him, though he vigorously fought against it. Soon after conversion he joined the Wesleyan Church, in which his father was a local preacher. However, when about fifteen he had united with the Church, but, resisting convictions, he became indifferent and continued so until 1858. He soon became a local preacher, and he was put on the plan of Liverpool North Circuit in March, 1859, and he continued there until he came to this country in 1860. During the summer and fall of 1860 he served Springville charge as junior preacher, his uncle, E. W. Breckinridge, being the preacher in charge. In the spring of 1861 he joined the Wyoming Conference and was sent to Union, N.Y., as junior preacher, A. F. Harding being the senior preacher. In October of that year he enlisted in the United States Army, becoming a member of the 16th New York Battery of Light Artillery. He continued in the army until November 7, 1864, and rejoined the Conference in 1865. When fourteen years of age he was regularly apprenticed to learn the brass-finishing and gas-fitting trade. He served five years as apprentice, one year as journeyman, and three years as inspector of meters. His brother, Fred L., was for many years an honored member of this Conference. On January 14, 1862, he married Miss Oresta L. Burdick, of McDonough, N.Y., who deceased on November 6, 1901. Two sons and one daughter were born to them. On July 1, 1903, he married Miss Martha Pike, of Factoryville, Pa. After retiring from active work he lived with his daughter, Mrs. Dr. C. N. Skinner, of Port Jervis, N.Y., but since his last marriage he has lived in Factoryville, Pa. His pastoral record is as follows: 1861, Union; 1862-64, United States Army; 1865-66, Shepherd's Creek; 1867-68, Athens and Litchfield; 1869-71, Edmeston; 1872-73, Butternuts; 1874-76, Otego, 1877-79, Cooperstown; 1880-82, Carbondale; 1883-86, Presiding Elder of Honesdale District; 1887-88, Owego; 1889-01, Ashley; 1892-95, Tunkhannock; 1896- 97, Susquehanna; 1898-1900, Factoryville; 1901, Parsons; 1902-03, sd.