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Robert S. HILLHOUSE, farmer and stock raiser, of Section 6, Spring River Township, was born in Giles County, Tenn, October 4, 1824, and is the son George and Elizabeth (DOBBINS) HILLHOUSE; the former's ancestors being from Tennessee, and the latter's from South Carolina. James DOBBINS, father of Elizabeth Dobbins, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and for this drew a pension. George Hillhouse was the father of five sons and five daughters. Mr. Hillhouse was a strong temperance man, was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was of a rather long-lived race. His son, Robert S., grew to manhood in Tennessee, and went into service at the first call for troops for the Mexican War. After six months field service he was honorably discharged on account of disabilities. He is now drawing a pension of $8 per month for such service. In 1852 he removed with his family, and sought a location on Spring River, three miles from Verona, where he purchased property and still resides. Upon the breaking out of the late war he joined his interest with that of the Union, and in 1862 he
entered the State Militia and bore arms until the close of hostilities. He served as first lieutenant of Company A, Seventy-sixth Regiment E. M. Militia, and after the war he returned to his farm, where he has since been successfully engaged in raising Short-horn cattle. While living in Tennessee he married Miss Mary Jane INMAN, daughter of Andrew and Margaret (PEERY) INMAN, of Tennessee, and has reared five sons and five daughters: James W. (a substantial farmer of Mount Pleasant Township), Martha C. (widow of James H. GIBSON), George A., Thomas J., Erasumus W., Elizabeth (wife of Willis SUTTON); Nancy A. (wife of William ALLEN), Mary J., Ollie M. and Robert Clinton. Mr. Hillhouse and all the family, with the exception of one member, belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hillhouse assisted largely in organizing a grange, when that movement was on foot, and is holding the office as overseer of Zion Grange, an institution which still exists. He has served on the school board, but has always objected to holding office. He is a prosperous farmer and a good man.
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Thomas J. HILLHOUSE, one of the most successful and enterprising farmers and stock raisers of Section 30, Spring River Township, Lawrence Co., Mo., was born in this county November 2, 1858. A sketch of his parents, Robert S. and Mary (INMAN) HILLHOUSE appears above. Thomas J. Hillhouse, the subject of this memoir, was married in Lawrence County, Mo., and chose for his companion in life Miss Bell TURNER, daughter of J. W. TURNER, who is now a resident of Spring River Township. This marriage resulted in the birth of one child, a son named Coleman. Mr. Hillhouse is well known throughout the county, and is much respected by all. He is a member of the Zion Grange, and is steward of the same. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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