Prof. Henry A. HILLS
Not only has this gentleman been successfully engaged in "teaching the young idea" in Dodge County, Wis., but he has also devoted much attention to the occupation of farming and owns and operates an excellent tract of eighty acres. He was born in Lewis County, New York, March 23, 1835, a son of Sidney HILLS, who was also born in that state, the latter's father having been a product of the Nutmeg State [Connecticut] and of English descent. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, and afterward removed to Lewis County, N.Y., where he cleared and improved a farm in Lewis County. Sidney HILLS grew to manhood in New York, and was there married to Miss Melissa M. LINDSLEY, a daughter of Luke LINDSLEY a pioneer of the state, whose wife was a Massachusetts lady. Mr. HILLS brought up his family in Lewis County, and there passed from life in 1876 at the age of seventy-seven years. Henry A. HILLS was their only son and in the county of his birth he was reared to manhood and acquired a practical education in the common schools, which was supplemented by a two years' course in Fairfield Academy, Herkimer County, N.Y. After completing his studies he engaged in teaching school, first in New York, and this occupation he followed during the winter months for about thirty years, during which time he taught in but four different districts, a fact which speaks eloquently as to his ability as an educator and his popularity. Soon after coming to Dodge County he bought eighty acres of land, on which he has lived very comfortably ever since. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits during the summer months, and in the management of his farm has shown good judgment. He first built a small frame house in which he resided a few years, but this gave place to the sightly and substantial residence in which he is now living. His barns, granaries, sheds, etc., are all substantial and add a great deal to the value of his property. On the 11th of April, 1860, Mr. HILLS led to the altar Miss Mary A. WHEELOCK, who was born in Jefferson County, New York, but was principally reared and educated in Dodge County, Wisconsin. She was successfully engaged in teaching for some time prior to her marriage. Her parents, Lewis and Mary WHEELOCK, have for some time been deceased. The union of Mr. and Mrs. HILLS has resulted in the birth of the following children: Loretta, widow of Lewis Peters, of Bellville, Jefferson County, N.Y.; Mary, wife of John B. CROFOOT, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Josephine K., wife of William R. MINER, of Canton, S.D., died June 24, 1894; Bertha M. became the wife of Andrew Adams, of Beaver Dam, Wis., and is deceased; Henry W. is taking a course in the Ohio Normal University, from which he will graduate in 1895, and was for some time a teacher of Dodge County; Cornelia V. is in business in Beaver Dam; Laura C.; Lucy J.; and Lorenzo L. Prof. HILLS has always been a staunch Republican and his first presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont in 1856. He is independent as regards local politics, and votes for the man whom he considers best fitted for the office. He has been a member of Beaver Dam Lodge, I.O.O.F. for twenty-five years, and in all the affairs of Dodge County has shown himself active and public spirited. He has been a useful citizen and his career has been a most honorable one.
Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge
and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin
Chicago: Goodspead Bros., 1894. p.210
(microfilm loan: Wisc. Hist. Soc.)
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