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.