BIO: William T. HILLBISH, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  WILLIAM T. HILLIBISH, of Bellefonte, Centre county, enjoys an 
exceptionally high reputation in business circles as a manager of large 
enterprises, and the same qualities which have won him this 
distinction, when applied to municipal affairs, have made him prominent 
in that line also, the people in their corporate capacity recognizing 
in him one to whom they may wisely delegate the power to carry their 
wishes into practical effect.
  Mr. Hillibish is a native of Bellefonte, born May 20, 1858, and his 
father, the late Nicholas Hillibish, who died at an advanced age, was 
for fifty years a prominent business man of that city, having hone 
there from his native place in Lancaster county, Penn., early in life, 
to establish a hardware store and tin shop. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Johanna McKean, was born near Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Penn., and 
died at the age of sixty-seven. They had nine children: Lydia T., wife 
of Maj. Chessman, of Washington, D.C., an employee in the Pension 
Department; Maria L., who is not married; James B., who died some years 
ago; Franklin S., of Canton, Ohio; Joseph R., formerly a member of the 
city council of Bradford, Penn., where he died in 1893; George P. and 
Edward, who reside in Canton, Ohio; William T., our subject, and John 
M., of Canton, Ohio.
  The excellent advantages offered by the schools of Bellefonte enabled 
Mr. Hillibish to acquire a good practical education, a course in the 
high school being followed by one in the academy of which he is a 
graduate. On leaving school he learned the machinist's trade with W. P. 
Duncan & Co., and later spent several years with them as foreman. He 
was chief engineer at the nail works for three years, and then forming 
a partnership opened the Bellefonte Supply House; but he disposed of 
his interest not long afterward, and went to Lorain, Ohio, to take 
charge of the shape mill in Johnson's steel works. He returned to 
Bellefonte recently, and is now in the employ of the Jenkins Iron and 
Coal Co., at Howard, as their superintendent.
  Mr. Hillibish is an ardent supporter of the doctrines of the 
Republican party, and, as has been intimated, the confidence reposed in 
him by all classes makes him a popular candidate, locally, for 
positions of trust. In 1884 he was elected a member of the Bellefonte 
council from 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  513

the West ward, serving three years, and then after one year of absence 
was again returned, and still holds that office. He is also a candidate 
for the post of city tax collector. Socially he is prominent as a 
member of the I.O.O.F. and the Encampment, and for twenty years he has 
been identified with the Logan Steam Fire & Engine Company.