Frank Hilton

The History of Knox County pub. in 1912 by S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.

  GEORGE F. HILTON, M. D.

Dr. George F. Hilton, engaged in the practice of medicine at St. Augustine, Knox county, Illinois, his recognized ability winning him a liberal patronage, was born in Fulton county, this state, December 8, 1855, his parents being David and Sarah A. (Bishop) Hilton. The ancestry can be traced back to several generations in this country and it is well known that the first of the name came from England. The great-great-grandfather was a native of Maine and William Hilton, the great-grandfather, was born in Wiscasset, Maine, August 15, 1759, and died July 14, 1846. His wife, Catherine B. Hilton, was born May 24, 1764, and died July 8, 1816. Their children were: David, who was born September 10, 1782, and died January 13, 1838; Hannah, who was born January 27, 1784, and died September 18, 1844; Martha, who was born February 9, 1786, and died May 6, 1819; Jessie, who was born May 1, 1788, and died in March, 1862; Joshua, who was born March 15, 1790, and died December 27, 1876; Nancy, who was born September 30, 1792, and died November 24, 1861; Thomas, who was born February 28, 1795, and died September 16, 1862; Oliver, who was born March 24, 1797, and died in May, 1877; Emma, who was born October 2, 1799, and died in February, 1875; Helen, who was born January 3, 1802, and died in August, 1883; Daniel, who was born July 19, 1804, and died in December, 1873; and Martha, who was born July 25, 1807, and died March 28, 1877.

    Of this family Joshua Hilton was the grandfather of Dr. Hilton. He was born, as previously stated, March 15, 1790, and died December 27, 1876. His wife, Sally Hilton, was born June 1, 1794, and died March 21, 1881. Their children were: McKenney, who was born September 22, 1814; Catherine, who was born August 27, 1816, and died December 16, 1878; Asa, who was born December 22, 1819, and died February 3, 1820; Sarah, who was born March 10, 1821; Amos, who was born April 26, 1823, and died January 5, 1885; David, the father of our subject; Caroline, who was born August 27, 1832, and died May 5, 1836; and Joshua, who was born August 27, 1835.

    David Hilton, the father of our subject, was born in Maine, June 24, 1827, and in early life removed to Ohio. In the late '50s he became a resident of Fulton county, Illinois, and spent his remaining days there upon a farm, his death occurring July 9, 1896, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. In early life he engaged in the butchering business in California, having made the trip to that state with ox teams, spending three years upon the Pacific coast. He married Sarah A. Bishop, who was born February 26, 1831, and died February 26, 1903. In their family were the following children. Jasper, who was born October 14, 1851, passed away on the 5th of October, 1852. Cyrus, the next of the family, was born on the 24th of February, 1853. George F., of this review, is the next younger. Henry W., born September 15, 1857, married Mary A. Maranville, who was born in 1861, and they became the parents of eleven children: Lola, who was born October 30, 1876, and died November 19, 1876; Orpha Bell, who was born May 24, 1879, and died March 20, 1910; Fannie, born April 21, 1881 ; David, who was born September 13, 1883, and died February 5, 1904; Dayton, born August 22, 1885; Ethel V., born December 29, 1887; Harley, born in March, 1889; Jesse, born May 7, 1890; Elra Ray, born July 6, 1892; Skeet, born September 19, 1895; and Ina, born October 28, 1897. Mary, the daughter of David and Sarah A. Hilton, was born August 19, 1859, and married Lewis K. Hoar, a resident of Vandalia, Illinois, who is known throughout the state as a very successful contractor and business man. Six children were born to them, namely: Effie May, who was born November 4, 1879, and died February 26, 1881; Bertha Estella, who was born October 27, 1881, and died August 9, 1889; Sarah Ellen, who was born August 12, 1884; Edna Fern, who was born June 15, 1887, and died July 12, 1910; Martha Lutta, who was born November 23, 1890, and died January 29, 1891 ; and Jesse Daniel, who was born November 21, 1891, and died October 21, 1892. John W., born March 13, 1862, passed away on the 13th of February, 1898. Stephen Leonard, born December 21, 1863, married Serilda Ann Moon, who was born January 18, 1868, and they became the parents of six children, namely: Ina May, born February 7, 1888; Charles David, who was born May 9, 1889, and died September 29, 1910; William Wesley, who was born November 2, 1890, and died November 8, 1895; Sarah Pearl, born February 28, 1896; Mabel Frances, born November 22, 1902; and Velva Dora, born September 4, 1904. Of this family Charles David was married, his wife being Alice Holman, who was born May 12, 1886, and they had one daughter, Helen J., born March 24, 1910. Jessie was born May 21, 1865. Martin L. was born September 12, 1867. Sarah E. was born January 12, 1870, and died on the 9th of February, 1871.

    Dr. Hilton acquired his education in Cuba, Illinois, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1875. During his high-school clays he also took up the study of medicine and in 1875 entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1879. Immediately afterward he began the practice of medicine in St. Augustine, Illinois, where he has since continued. He has practiced with phenomenal success here, his labors being attended with results that indicate his comprehensive knowledge of the science of medicine and his correct application of its principles. He has written many valuable articles on medical science pertaining to pathology and the treatment of disease and he always maintains that there are two important principles in medicine—first, the diagnosis of the case and second, the application of the remedy. He is now the owner of a fine office building and an attractive residence in St. Augustine and has also invested in railroad stock.

    In 1881 Dr. Hilton was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Louise Supple, who was born in St. Augustine, June 15, 1858, and died November 28, 1890. They became the parents of three children: Leo, who was born May 22, 1882, and died April 20, 1884; Irene Frances, who was born May .22, 1885; and Charles Demott, who was born April 1, 1887, and is now in the employ of a railroad company, living in Kansas City, Missouri.

    Dr. Hilton holds membership in the Catholic church and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 4234, and to the Royal Neighbors, No. 395. In politics he has been a lifelong democrat and, while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has labored effectively in behalf of the cause of education during his nine years' service as school director. His professional relations are with the Knox County and Illinois State Medical Societies and at all times he keeps in touch with the advanced work, thought and purposes of the profession