Joseph Reuben Hills
Born: 4/23/1836
Died 1/24/1899
At: Storm Lake IA
62 years 9 mos 6 days
Married, Farmer
Died of Heart Disease
Buried: Storm Lake Cemetery

June 15, 1860 p. 634
264/238
Granville Miller 31,farmerNew York
Lucy26Conn.
Jno.7NY
Hn Emery12Ohio
Joseph Hill21NY

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Marriage Certificate
15th of March, 1862
Marriage of:
Joseph R. Hill
Miss Charity Ann Oackly
s. Joseph R. Hill
s. Charity Jane Ackley

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Joseph R. Hill     age 39      Teamster            Born NY      father born           mother born NY
Charity Jane Hill age 38      Keeping House  Born Ohio,   father born Ohio, mother born Penn.

Joseph R. Hills Twp 90 R37 Sec 2 SESE      48      Married      born Yost S
C J Hills                                                         40          " "           born Ohio
 
 

J. R. Hills                 age 59            Market Gardner           Born NY,          religion Universalist
Charity Jane Hills    age 56                                                                                        Cong

(See letter to MHD, dated July 8, 1991, from Catharine C. Ostlind, Certified Genealogical Record Searcher, Sol Terra House, W 11123 Lakeview Drive, Merrimac, Wl 53561-9618, Tel. (608) 493-2617).

Charity Jane Hills
Born: 10/5/1873
Died: 9/29/1911
At: Township of Waukasha
City of Fort Dodge
77 years 11 mos. 25 days
Widow, Housewife
Died of Lobar Pneumonia
Attdg Physician: C.H. Mulroney
Birthplace: Ohio
Father: John Eckley
His Birthplace: Ohio
Mother: Elizabeth Henderson
Buried: Storm Lake IA
9/30/1911
Undertaker: Young 1294
Ft. Dodge

(See letter to MHD, dated July 8, 1991, from Catharine C. Ostlind, Certified Genealogical Record Searcher, Sol Terra House, W 11123 Lakeview Drive, Merrimac, Wl 53561-9618, Tel. (608) 493-2617).

Marriage Certificate
15th of March, 1862
Marriage of:
Joseph R. Hill
Miss Charity Ann Oackly
s. Joseph R. Hill
s. Charity Jane Ackley

My mother tells me that while he was on the road he lived by gambling. He was a "gambler." Looking at his picture, he was quite the "blade" and looks every bit the part - a dashing young man. He did tame a raccoon, my mother believes that raccoon is the raccoon in the picture. I want to inquire further of my mother, while my mother is around, as I seem to recall that the raccoon turns up in later family stories.

In any event, Budgy came back upon his brother's death and stayed. He worked regular work thereafter. He did marry my grandmother under protest by my grandmother's father. In fact, her father disinherited Louise Kleyter when she married George Hills. It is noteworthy however, that when they married a sister of my grandmother and her husband, the Kaufmans, stood up for them in their marriage. It was because of being disinherited that my grandmother sued the estate on my great grandfather's death. He left my grandmother's share of the estate to the three grand daughters, Fleeta, Gwendolyn and my mother, Madeline (my mother changed the spelling of her name to Madelon because people called her Madeline). My mother gave me a series of pictures from my grandmother's album and among them is a picture of a pig barn with windows facing the Southern exposure toward the sun. This was built by my grandfather for raising high bred pigs. It was built with the inheritance my grandmother got from the result of her lawsuit. The suit papers are in the papers contained in the file.

The material I have indicates my grandmother predicated her suit on the basis of promises by her family when she was working in Chicago. She was to return home and help her father with the boarding house that he operated with his daughters. which she did. This was the contract that supported her recovery in her claim.

 According to my mother, my grandfather was very well liked by his family and, in fact, idolized. He was equally idolized by my grandmother "George could do no wrong in Louise's eyes". He was a home contractor in Storm Lake and, among other things, built the home my mother was raised in which was right on Storm Lake and appears m pictures My great-grandfather, Joseph Hills, and his wife, Charity Jane (Ackley) Hills, immigrated to Storm Lake from Kewaney, Illinois where they were married. Among the material given me by my mother are two pictures of Charity Jane; one a portrait and another of her sitting on her poach at her home in Storm Lake. I also received a picture of Louise's mother. These pictures are distinctive.

Benjamin died in an accident while tight-rope walking. I believe I have reported this in other memorandums. In any event, a brother of Joe Hills was a circus performer. He, in fact, had married a circus performer. He learned a tight rope walk along with other high line acrobatics from this woman and they performed together. He used to come to the Joe Hills' farm in the summer and teach the kids how to do tight rope acts. Benjamin, in particular, took to this and put on a performance which, among other things, included a fake fall in which he caught himself with his arm. It was, apparently, while doing this in the barn that he must have torn something internally, suffered internal bleeding and died as a result. According to the obituary in the newspaper obtained by the researcher I have working for me, he died of congestion in the r n~. This is consistent with the family's story my mother has. It was this death that brought Budgy home.

The story about Hank dying goose hunting is also confirmed by the research and the obituary. I believe this gives credence to my mother as an historian.

My mother talked about the  cousins. She said they use to come up to visit in Bird Island. The boys were quite handsome with  the  exception of John, who was quiet and moody. the other boys were handsome, outgoing and tremendous singers. They use to have great times when the Touhy's would visit in Bird Island. They would make all the dances and party all night. The Hills girls would go along with their cousins and were the envy of all the neighbor girls by being with these handsome fellows.

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Charity Jane Hills died at Fort Dodge, Iowa, September 29, 1911. Born October 5, 1834 in Ohio.Obituary from Storm Lake PilotTribune of October 6, 1911.

Joseph Hills, born July 1876 in Illinois. Married 1899. 1900 and 1910 US censuses enclosed. Transcript of Omaha city directories concerning Lyle Q. Hills enclosed. Transcripts of Minneapolis city directories re Holly Hills enclosed.

Benjamin Hills died January 21, 1896 of congestion of the lungs. He was born February 1880. Obituary enclosed, Storm Lake Pilot of January 23, 1896.

Henry Hills, born about July 1875, drowned while hunting November 21, 1901. Born in Illinois, died at Storm Lake. Story of incident and Lodge Resolution from the Storm Lake Pilot-Tribune of November 22 and 29, 1901 enclosed.

Two items turn up on George W. Hills. Enclosed are 1900 census for Henry Kleyter family, 1910 for George and Louise Hills, marriage of George Hills and Louisa Kleyter on June 19, 1901 and birth record of Madalin Hills October 13, 1909.

Vine Hill seems to be known at Sarah. Sarah Hill married Michael F. Toohey about 1887. Born July 20, 1867; died January 15, 1930 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

1895 State Census, 1900 federal census enclosed. Obituary and funeral write up from the Fart dodge Messenger & Chronicle  January 15 and 18, 1930 enclosed. From these items we find some of the names you had and a few discrepancies.

Nellie Hills age 26 married Thomas Homer December 17, 1906. It was her second marriage. First was to a Crandall. In 1907 she was in Howard SD, in 1911 in Brittan SD. In 1930 she seems to be Mrs. H. Swingle of Muskegon, MI. Nowhere have we found a Mr. Tuller. Marriage record attached.

Delilah (Della) Hills was born August 1871. In 1900 she was at home, single. On October 25, 1900 she married Guy Lullan. She died October 11, 1907, the wife of J.N. Conrad whom she had married "about six years ago." She had three children, names unknown. Her obituary from the Storm Lake Pilot Tribune of October 18, 1907 enclosed.

ATTACHED TO LETTER:

Omaha, Nebraska, City Directories 1958:
Lyle Q. (viola C.) Hills, atty. 504 Center Bldg. res. 4720 Walnut
John A. Hills, student, 4720 Walnut

1963: same as 1958

1969, same for Lyle John A. (Hills Insurance) (Judith A.), 2147 S.  62nd
Minneapolis, Minnesota, City Directories

1934:
Holly Hills, tmkpr, Wabash Screen D Co. r. Robbinsdale

1937:
Horace H. Hills, tmkpr, Wabash Screen D Co., r. Robbinsdale

1948:
Horace H. (Harriet E.) Clk Wab. Screen Door, 1717 Rollins  Ave.

1952:
Horace H. (Elizabeth), Clk Wab. Screen Door, 1717 Rollins

1956: no entry
1962: No entry
1962 Suburban, Minneapolis, no entry

U.S. Census. 1860. Village of Kewaunee, Henry County, Illinois, June 15, 1860 p. 634

264/238
Granville Miller 31, farmerNew York
Lucy26Conn.
Jno.7NY
Hn Emery12Ohio
Joseph Hill21NY

Storm Lake lost another of its pioneers last Friday in the death of Mrs. Charity Jane Hills at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M F Toohey in Fort Dodge, in the early hours of the morning.  Mars Hills who has continued to make this city her home, had gone to fort Dodge to visit and took sick while there and owing to her advanced age she was not able to regain her lost strength and passed away as stated above.

She was born in Ohio October 5, 1834, and was therefore almost seventy-nine years of age at the time of her death.  When quite young she went with her people to Henry County Ill, where in 1861, in Kewanee she was married to Joseph R Hills.  Eleven children were born to them, of whom four survive. Mrs. M F Toohey, of Fort Dodge, at whose home she died; Mrs Thomas Homer of Brittan ND, and George and Joe of this city.  She was a good wife and mother and was greatly esteemed by all who knew her.  For years she had been a devout member of the Christian church.

The remains were brought to this city Friday and on Sunday the funeral was held at the Christian church in the charge of the Rev J J W Place of the Baptist church.   Prof Warren Ingold of the college took part in the services.   Interment was made in the Storm Lake cemetery.  This new0spaper extends sympathy to the sorrowing ones.

Benjamin Hills, the youngest son of Jos Hill, died Tuesday morning of congestion of the lungs.  The funeral services were conducted by Rev. MacAllister Wednesday afternoon.

 Henry Hills, living a Mile East of the city, drowned yesterday.

  Broke through the ice while trying to get a goose he had shot  -
  brother saw him go down but couldn't he could not help him -
  body was recovered.

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune, Friday, Nov 29, 1901

Mike Toohey and family of LeMars, attended the funeral of Mrs Toohey's brother, Henry Hill, here S8unday, remaining until Monday afternoon with relatives.
 
 

The death of Mrs. J N Conrad occurred at her home in Cherokee last Thursday at one o'clock p m.  Three weeks ago she was taken sick with quinsy and later blood poison set in which caused her death.  Her sufferings were so terrible that she was glad when the Angel of death came to take her home.
 The decedent was born in Storm Lake twenty eight years ago, and grew to womanhood here.  She is best know as Della Hills.  About six years ago she was united in marriage to J N Conrad.  Thor a time they resided here and then moved to Cherokee where they have since made their home.  Three children were born of this union.

Mrs Conrad was a member of the Christian church of this city having united with that faith when a young girl.  She was a faithful wife, a loving mother to her children and ho better words can be said of anyone.  Her death at so early an age seems sad and it comes as a bitter sorrow to here relatives.  At such times as these works fail us in alleviating the sorrows of others.

The remains were brought to Storm Lake and the funeral services were held at her old home on Saturday and interment was made in the storm Lake cemetery.  All of the immediate family were present at the services.  She leaves to mourn her loss, two sisters, Mrs Thomas Homer of Howard SD, Mrs F M Toohey of Sioux City, two brothers, George and Joseph Hills of this city and her mother Mrs Charity Hills.

Delilah (Della) Hills was born August 1871. In 1900 she was at home, single.  On Octover 25, 1900 she married buy Lullan.  She died October 11, 1907, the wife of J N Conrad whom she had married "about six years ago."  she had three children, names unknown.    (See letter to MHD, dated July 8, 1991, from Catharine C. Ostlind, Certified Genealogical Record Searcher, Sol Terra House, W 11123 Lakeview Drive, Merrimac, Wl 53561-9618, Tel. (608) 493-2617).

Mrs Mchael F Toohey died this morning at her home, 208 Eleventh Avenue South, following a lingering illness.
Besides her husband she is survived to four daughters and four sons.  They are Mrs Henry Brown and Mrs J Mitchell of Fort Dodge; Sister Mary Gerard of Omaha; Mrs Howard Hood of Duncombe; Patrick of Cherokee; Michael and John of Fort Dodge and Cornelius of Council Bluffs.  One sister, Mrs H Swingle of Muskegon Michigan and two brothers, George Hills of Bird Island, Minn. And J R Hills of Aitken, Minn also survive
Funeral services will take place Friday morning oat 8:30 from the home and at 9:00 o'clock from Corpus Christi church.  Burial will be made in Corpus Christi cemetery with Laufersweiler's in charge.

Fort Dodge Messenger and Chronicle, Saturday January 18, 1930

Funeral services for Mrs M F Toohey, who died Wednesday morning following a lingering illness, were held Friday morning at 8:30 from the home, 208 eleventh Ave south and 9:o'clock from Corpus, Christi church.
The pallbearers wee Robert Ryan, Leo Ryan, Robert Cuff, J O Martin, Timothy Ryan and Bernard Lambert.  Monsignor James A griffin officiated and burial was made in Corpus Christi cemetery with Laufersweiler's in charge.
Relatives from away who attended the funeral were Mrs R Holderedge, of Shenandoah; Mrs P F Holderedge of Sioux falls, SD; Mrs B Brown, of Wolfpoint Mont, George Hills, of Bird Island, Minn; Mrs H. Swingle, of Muskegon, Mich; Sister Mary Gerard and Sister Mary Martha from Omaha .

Nellie Hills age 26 married Thomas Homer December 17, 1906.  It was her second mariage.  First was to a Crandall.  In 1907 she was in Howard SD, in 1911 in Brittan SD.  In 1930 she seems to be Mrs. H. Swingle of Muskegon, MI.  Nowhere have we found a Mrs Tuller.  (See letter to MHD, dated July 8, 1991, from Catharine C. Ostlind, Certified Genealogical Record Searcher, Sol Terra House, W 11123 Lakeview Drive, Merrimac, Wl 53561-9618, Tel. (608) 493-2617).