Bio: Hilts, George (1914)

Contact: Crystal Wendt.
 

----Surnames: Hilts, Johnson, Ball, Headley, Bennett, Marte

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) page 730

George Hilts, a progressive and successful business man of Augusta, whose forefathers were originally residents of Pennsylvania, was born in Canada, November 16, 1832, the son of Joseph P. and Sarah (Johnson) Hilts, who were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom are now deceased except Mr. Hilts and two sisters. The father died at the age of 70 years, and the mother passed away at the age of 64.

Mr. Hilts received his education in the common schools of his native town and remained in Canada until 1866. He came direct to Eau Claire county in that year and entered the employ of the Porter & Moon Lumber Company, of which concern he was manager for four years. He next engaged with the Eau Claire Lumber Company. He was in Eau Claire seven years, from 1867 to 1874, when he went on his farm and remained there until 1883, when he came to Augusta and purchased the planing mill then owned by J. L. Ball, and has since been in the constant and successful operation of this, one of Augusta's largest industrial institutions. Of late years his son, George, Jr., has been associated with him, and they are now doing a large and prosperous business. He retired from business February 2, 1914.

In 1862 Mr. Hilts was married to Miss Louise Headly, a native of Canada, and they are the parents of five children, two of whom are living, Frank and George; the latter is engaged in business with his father. Those deceased are Archie, who died at the age of 3 years; Anna Louise, deceased wife of S. E. Bennett, now of Idaho, and Ella, the deceased wife of N. Marte, who resides in Chicago. A Republican in political views, Mr. Hilts has taken an active interest in the affairs of his party; has been a member of the county board, and has filled many other local offices. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Methodist church, and is an influential and public-spirited citizen.