Tombstone Tuesday–John Hiller

John Hiller, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

John Hiller, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of John Hiller, located in row 15 of Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

JOHN HILLER
Died
Mar. 10, 1869
Aged
63 yrs, 10 ms

According to the records of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Ohio, John [Johann] Hiller was born 8 May 1805 to Johann and Margaretha Hiller in Mittelfranken, Kingdom of Bavaria. The town he was born in looks like Markhernizheim in the church records, but that spelling is probably incorrect because I cannot locate a town by that name. John was baptized and confirmed in the town of his birth.

In 1838 John married Maria “Mary” Margaretha (Müller) Stump/Stumpf, who was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria on 4 June 1800 to Conrad and Dorothy Müller. Mary was the widow of Erasmus Stump and had three children from her first marriage–Phillip, Catherine, and Gertrude.

John and Mary Margaretha immigrated to America in 1839, about a year after their marriage. This information was included in Zion Chatt’s records as well as on a passenger arrival card. On their immigration card John Hiller was 34 years of age, born in Germany about 1805, and is shown traveling with Margaretha, Philip, Catharina, and Gertraud. John’s occupation was a weaver and their destination was the U.S. [1]

Johann, Margaretha, Philip, Catharina, & Gertraud Hiller immigration record.

Johann, Margaretha, Philip, Catharina, & Gertraud Hiller immigration record.

After their arrival in America the Hillers resided in Butler County, Ohio, for eight years. They moved to Adams County, Indiana, about 1847, and settled a few miles from Chattanooga, where they attended Zion Lutheran Church.

John and Mary (Müller) Hiller had the following two sons, both of whom were born in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio:
Jacob, (1842-1926), married Martha Sundmacher
Johann “George” (1846-1932), married Caroline Brecheisen; married Catharine Alt

In 1850 the Hillers lived in Jefferson Township, Adams County, Indiana. In the household were John Hiller, 48, a weaver; Margaret, 45; Jacob, 8; and George, 4. [2]

In 1860 the family had a New Corydon, Indiana, post office address and John farmed. In the household was John, 54, Bavaria; Margaret, 60, Bavaria; Jacob, 16, Indiana; George, 15, Indiana. [3]

John Hiller, Kessler Cemetery. (2015 photo by Karen)

John Hiller, Kessler Cemetery. (2015 photo by Karen)

According to Zion Chatt’s records, John Hiller died suddenly on 10 March 1869 of a stroke and apoplexy. He was 63 years, 10 months, and 2 days old.

John is buried next to his wife Mary Margaretha, who died in 1876. Although John’s tombstone is broken, the cemetery was read by the Mercer County Chapter OGS in 1990 and they recorded his death date as it was inscribed on the stone at that time.

John and Mary Hiller, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

John and Mary Hiller, Kessler Cemetery. (2015 photo by Karen)

 

[1] “United States Index to Passenger Arrivals, Atlantic and Gulf Ports, 1820-1874,” database with images, FamilySearch.org (https://familysearch.org : accessed 28 Feb 2016), Johann Hiller, 1839; from FHL microfilm 418239, from NARA Immigration microfilm M334.

[2] 1850 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, p. 63A, dwelling & family 809, John Hiller; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Oct 2015); from NARA microfilm M432, roll 135.

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, p. 234, dwelling 1649, family 1629, John Hiller; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Oct 2015); from FHL microfilm 803242, from NARA microfilm M653, roll 242.

 

1 comment

    • Jerry Duff on March 2, 2016 at 12:40 pm
    • Reply

    Fun stuff

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