Marion County
ILGenWeb

Biography - GEORGE W. HILTIBIDAL

The subject of this biographical review has well earned the title to be addressed as one of the progressive, self-made men of Marion county, being the owner of a very valuable landed estate in Raccoon township, where his labors have benefited alike himself and those with whom he has come in contact.

George W. Hiltibidal was born in Grand Prairie township, Jefferson county, Illinois, March 15, 1867, the son of George and Elizabeth Bradford, both natives of Indiana. They moved to Marion county, Illinois; and finally located in Raccoon township: After building a dwelling house and making extensive improvements on his farm here he moved to Grand Prairie, Jefferson county, where he died in 1869, on a farm which he had improved, and where his wife also died in 1876. He was a strong Republican and he and his wife were members of the Christian church. They were the parents of five children, namely: Mary is living in Washington county, this state, having married Neil Kingsley; Ella, who married Robert Birge, lives at Walnut Hill, this county; John died young; Sarah, who married James Sprouse, lives in Jefferson county, Illinois; George William, our subject, was the youngest child.

The subject's mother died when he was nine years old. He had not been to school up to that time. He then went to live with his uncle, George Bundy, in Raccoon township, with whom he remained for eleven years. He then located on his present farm in Raccoon township, section 28, having secured forty-five acres known as the May place. It had an old log house and stable on it. The subject has been a hard worker and a good manager and he built his present fine substantial and modern home in 1907, and his excellent barn in 1906, and he has made all the extensive improvements on the place.

Mr. Hiltibidal was united in marriage April 5, 1888, to Josie Heyduck, the daughter of Jacob and Phillimina Heyduck, natives of Germany, having lived in the River Rhine country. They came to America and secured wild land in Raccoon township, which they developed and on which they made a good home where they lived until 1903, when Mr. Heyduck retired and moved to Centralia. The subject's wife was born in Raccoon township, this county. Mrs. Heyduck died in 1890. Ten children were born to them as follows: Lizzie, who lives in Decatur, Illinois; Ricca is deceased; Lucy is deceased; Kate lives at Odin, Illinois; Josie, wife of our subject; John is deceased; Emma lives on the old place in Raccoon township; Henry lives at Centralia; Bennie lives in Centralia; Laura also lives in Centralia.

Five children have been born to the subject and wife as follows: George, Gracie, Esther, Bertha, Julius. The subject carries on a general farming business with great success. He is considered an excellent judge of live stock and raises some good horses. He has always been a farmer, but for many years has worked at the carpenter's trade. He has put up all his own buildings and done all his own work. He is regarded as an excellent carpenter and his services are frequently sought by those desiring to build.

Our subject has faithfully served as a member of the local school board for six years. He is a Republican in his political affiliations. He is a member of the Farmers Educational Co-Operative union at Bundyville, Illinois. He has gained his success not through the assistance of relatives or friends, but by his own efforts.

Extracted 07 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 316-317.