BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890. Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater. Pages 719-720. NATHAN RILLES was a native of Chester county, Penn. In 1837, he and his wife, Sarah (Cole) Hilles, who was born in Cecil county, Md., moved to Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, here he worked at his trade of tanner and currier, after a time taking the contract to build tanneries, and place them in working order. Belmont county, Ohio, became his home in 1843, at which time he settled in Loydsville, that county. After running a tannery there for some time, his health failed him, forcing him to retire from active work. A few years before his death, he moved to Barnesville. His death occurred in 1873, his wife's in 1881. Mr. Hilles was a member of the Society of Friends, and was for a time treasurer of Richland township, Belmont county. Six of their children grew to maturity: Skipworth C., of Barnesville; William, also of Barnesville; Rachel A., who became Mrs. R. A. Darrah, of St. Clairsville; George E., a druggist of Barnesville; Robert and Samuel. Nathan Hilles was a man who commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact, rearing a family which has become an honor both to him and the community. His son, Robert, fought in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio volunteers, and gained a first lieutenancy by his bravery. He was mortally wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, and soon after died, but his glorious death, and patriotic services, are perpetuated in the Robert Hilles post of the G. A. R., of Barnesville.