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{{short description|American industrialist (1825-1908)}}
⚫
'''Edwin Hillyer''' was an American industrialist from [[Waupun, Wisconsin|Waupun]], [[Wisconsin]]. Hillyer first came to Waupun in 1847, nearly ten years after Seymour Wilcox, the settlement's founder.
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = Capt-Edwin-Hillyer-1849.jpg
| imagesize =
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Edwin Hillyer
| honorific-suffix =
| caption = Capt. Edwin Hillyer c. 1849
| state = Wisconsin
| state_assembly = Wisconsin
| district = [[Dodge County, Wisconsin|Dodge County]] 6th
| term_start = 1853
| term_end = 1854
| preceded =
| succeeded =
| allegiance = United States
| branch = [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] ([[Union Army]])
| serviceyears = 1861–1863
| rank = Captain
| commands = Company K, 10th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1825|9|30}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|[[Atwater, Ohio]], U.S.}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1908|12|08|1825|9|30|mf=yes}}
| death_place = {{nowrap|[[Saint Petersburg, Florida]], U.S.}}
| profession = Insurer, Industrialist, Librarian, Politician
| parents = David Hillyer,<ref name=":2">''The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin''. Western Historical Company, 1880.</ref> Charity Hillyer
| spouse = Angeline Hillyer
| children = 5
}}

⚫
'''Edwin Hillyer''' (1825&ndash;1908) was an American industrialist from [[Waupun, Wisconsin]]. Hillyer first came to Waupun in 1847, eight years after [[Seymour Wilcox]], the settlement's founder.


== Life ==
== Life ==
Edwin Hillyer was born in Ohio and settled in Waupun with his brother, Joseph Talcott Hillyer. When they first arrived the both of them worked in lumber. In 1849, he and eight other Waupun settlers got gold fever and formed a company to head for California. They all returned in 1852.<ref>''The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin''. Western Historical Company, 1880.</ref>
Edwin Hillyer was born in Ohio on September 30, 1825. Edwin, along with his brother, Joseph Talcott Hillyer, settled in Waupun in 1847. When they first arrived, both of them worked in lumber. In 1849, Edwin and eight other Waupun settlers came down with gold fever and formed a company to travel to California. They all returned in 1852.<ref name=":2" />


=== Civic Life ===
=== Civic Life ===
Hillyer was heavily connected to several early Waupun industries. When he returned from California, he engaged in a store business with his brother before he sold his share a few years later. He and others established the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company, and Hillyer worked there for the entirety of its existence. In 1856, he played a major role in constructing the Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad between Waupun and Horicon.<ref name=":1">''The First One Hundred Fifty Years: A History of Waupun, Wisconsin, 1839 to 1989''. James Laird, 1989.</ref> Hillyer was also a leader in the formation of the Forest Mound Cemetery.
Hillyer was heavily connected to several early Waupun industries. When he returned from California, he engaged in a store business with his brother before he sold his share a few years later. He and others established the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company, and Hillyer worked there for the entirety of its existence. In 1856, he played a major role in constructing the Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad between Waupun and Horicon.<ref name=":1">''The First One Hundred Fifty Years: A History of Waupun, Wisconsin, 1839 to 1989''. James Laird, 1989.</ref> Hillyer was also a leader in the formation of the Forest Mound Cemetery.


For a time, Hillyer was the deputy warden at the [[Waupun Correctional Institution|Wisconsin State Prison]]. It was also him who directed the landscaping in front of the original building.
For a time, Hillyer was the deputy warden at the [[Waupun Correctional Institution|Wisconsin State Prison]]. It was also he who directed the landscaping in front of the original building.


Hillyer had also served in the Assembly for the [[6th Wisconsin Legislature]]. He ran as a [[Democrat]].
Hillyer had also served in the Assembly for the [[6th Wisconsin Legislature]]. He ran as a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]].


==== Waupun Public Library ====
==== Waupun Public Library ====
The Waupun Library Association was established in 1858 through the efforts of Hillyer and William Euen. Hillyer was the first librarian and ran the library out of his insurance office. When it began, the library only had nine feet of shelving. In 1895, citing his advanced age and the job's strenuous work, he turned the book stock over to the city. When the city took ownership of the library, the mayor appointed a new library board which included Hillyer and Lucius D. Hinkley, another prominent Waupun industrialist. Hillyer served on the board until his death.<ref name=":0">''The First Hundred Years: A History of Waupun, 1839-1939''. 1939.</ref>
The Waupun Library Association was established in 1858 through the efforts of Hillyer and William Euen. Hillyer was the first librarian and ran the library out of his insurance office. When it began, the library only had nine feet of shelving. In 1895, citing his advanced age and the job's strenuous work, he turned the book stock over to the city. When the city took ownership of the library, the mayor appointed a new library board which included Hillyer and Lucius D. Hinkley, another prominent Waupun industrialist. He was involved in the 1904 construction of the [[Waupun Public Library|Carnegie Library in Waupun]]. Hillyer served on the board until his death.<ref name=":0">''The First Hundred Years: A History of Waupun, 1839-1939''. Scott, Edith Moul, 1939.</ref>


=== Military Service ===
=== Military service ===
When the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] broke out in 1861, Hillyer raised parts of two companies and was appointed captain. He served until he fell ill and resigned from his post. He was honorably discharged from the military.<ref name=":1" />
When the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] broke out in 1861, Hillyer raised part of two companies for the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantries. Company D. of the 3rd and Company K. of the 10th. He was appointed captain of Company K. He served until he fell ill in 1863 and resigned from his post. He was honorably discharged from the military.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />


=== Death and Legacy ===
=== Death and legacy ===
Edwin Hillyer died at the age of 83 in December of 1908.
Edwin Hillyer died at the age of 83 on December 8, 1908.

In 1966 the ''Wisconsin Magazine of History'' published the first half of Hillyer's Gold Rush Journal, which chronicled his journey from Waupun to California.<ref>John O. Holzhueter, & Edwin Hillyer. (1966). From Waupun to Sacramento in 1849: The Gold Rush Journal of Edwin Hillyer. The Wisconsin Magazine of History, 49(3), 210–244. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4634148</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hillyer, Edwin}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hillyer, Edwin}}
[[Category:1825 births]]
[[Category:1908 deaths]]
[[Category:1908 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Ohio]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Ohio]]
[[Category:People from Waupun, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:People from Waupun, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:People of Wisconsin in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:People of Wisconsin in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:People of the California Gold Rush]]
[[Category:People of the California Gold Rush]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:19th-century American businesspeople]]

Latest revision as of 02:37, 1 October 2024

Edwin Hillyer
Capt. Edwin Hillyer c. 1849
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Dodge County 6th district
In office
1853–1854
Personal details
Born(1825-09-30)September 30, 1825
Atwater, Ohio, U.S.
DiedDecember 8, 1908(1908-12-08) (aged 83)
Saint Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseAngeline Hillyer
Children5
Parent(s)David Hillyer,[1] Charity Hillyer
ProfessionInsurer, Industrialist, Librarian, Politician
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceU.S. Army (Union Army)
Years of service1861–1863
RankCaptain
CommandsCompany K, 10th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment

Edwin Hillyer (1825–1908) was an American industrialist from Waupun, Wisconsin. Hillyer first came to Waupun in 1847, eight years after Seymour Wilcox, the settlement's founder.

Life

[edit]

Edwin Hillyer was born in Ohio on September 30, 1825. Edwin, along with his brother, Joseph Talcott Hillyer, settled in Waupun in 1847. When they first arrived, both of them worked in lumber. In 1849, Edwin and eight other Waupun settlers came down with gold fever and formed a company to travel to California. They all returned in 1852.[1]

Civic Life

[edit]

Hillyer was heavily connected to several early Waupun industries. When he returned from California, he engaged in a store business with his brother before he sold his share a few years later. He and others established the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company, and Hillyer worked there for the entirety of its existence. In 1856, he played a major role in constructing the Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad between Waupun and Horicon.[2] Hillyer was also a leader in the formation of the Forest Mound Cemetery.

For a time, Hillyer was the deputy warden at the Wisconsin State Prison. It was also he who directed the landscaping in front of the original building.

Hillyer had also served in the Assembly for the 6th Wisconsin Legislature. He ran as a Democrat.

Waupun Public Library

[edit]

The Waupun Library Association was established in 1858 through the efforts of Hillyer and William Euen. Hillyer was the first librarian and ran the library out of his insurance office. When it began, the library only had nine feet of shelving. In 1895, citing his advanced age and the job's strenuous work, he turned the book stock over to the city. When the city took ownership of the library, the mayor appointed a new library board which included Hillyer and Lucius D. Hinkley, another prominent Waupun industrialist. He was involved in the 1904 construction of the Carnegie Library in Waupun. Hillyer served on the board until his death.[3]

Military service

[edit]

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Hillyer raised part of two companies for the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantries. Company D. of the 3rd and Company K. of the 10th. He was appointed captain of Company K. He served until he fell ill in 1863 and resigned from his post. He was honorably discharged from the military.[2][3]

Death and legacy

[edit]

Edwin Hillyer died at the age of 83 on December 8, 1908.

In 1966 the Wisconsin Magazine of History published the first half of Hillyer's Gold Rush Journal, which chronicled his journey from Waupun to California.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin. Western Historical Company, 1880.
  2. ^ a b The First One Hundred Fifty Years: A History of Waupun, Wisconsin, 1839 to 1989. James Laird, 1989.
  3. ^ a b The First Hundred Years: A History of Waupun, 1839-1939. Scott, Edith Moul, 1939.
  4. ^ John O. Holzhueter, & Edwin Hillyer. (1966). From Waupun to Sacramento in 1849: The Gold Rush Journal of Edwin Hillyer. The Wisconsin Magazine of History, 49(3), 210–244. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4634148
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