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 720-721.

The Warren mills is one of the great industries of Belmont county, Ohio.
SKIPWORTH C. HILLES, the proprietor, is an enterprising, practical miller.
September 9, 1826, he was born into this world, in Pennsylvania. Shortly
after his birth, his parents moved with him to Cecil county, Md., but
again returned to Chester county, Penn., in 1834, from there they went
to Ohio, where he received a fair public school education; afterward his
father sent him to Kirk's academy at Salem, Ohio. In 1845, having graduated
from the academy, he started in business as a miller, in which he has since
been engaged. His first experience was at the St. Clair mill, Loydsville.
From there he went to the Patterson mill, situated on Wheeling creek, where
he remained for eight years. The Buckeye mill, between Bridgeport, Ohio,
and Martin's Ferry, employed him for four years as their head miller. At
the expiration of this time a partnership was formed with Isaac Murdaugh,
they operated a mill at Morristown for three years. November 25, 1861, the
firm of Hilles Bros. & Hogue came into existence. At this time the Warren
mills at Barnesville were purchased. One year later Mr. Hogue sold his
interest to Joseph Meade. The firm was further changed by the death of Mr.
Hllles's brother, Robert, who was killed in 1863 while in the service of
his country. From 1863 to 1866, the mill was operated by S. C. Hilles and
a man by the name of Harper, at the expiration of this time Mr. Harper
retired, and since that time the firm has been S. C. Hilles & Bro. Mr.
Hilles is a stockholder in the First National bank, the Warren Gas and
Oil company, being a charter member of the two latter organizations, he
is also a director of the People's Building and Loan association. During
the war of the rebellion he was a member of the departmental corps, being
honorably discharged in 1864. Mr. Hilles was with the corps during the
famous Morgan raid, and also in several other campaigns. Mr. Hilles has
been twice married, his first wife was Miss Agnes N. Morton, a native of
Belmont county. She died in 1852, four years after their marriage; one
daughter survives her, Miss Mary Agnes Hilles. In 1858 he was again married,
this time to Miss Mary A. Hoge, daughter of Abner Hoge and Sarah (Milner)
Hoge, of Loydsville, Ohio. Mrs. Hilles's parents were both born in Loudon
county, Va. Of this second union, seven children have been born: Sarah Emma,
wife of Edgar Ward; Clara L., now Mrs. Charles J. Bradfield; Annie C., Walter
H., George Wilber, Charles S. and Edmonia May. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hllles are
members of the Friends church. His neighbors have honored him by electing him
for several terms to the town council, as a representative of the republican
party. He is also a member of Barnesville lodge, No. 185, I. O. O. F., and
Sharon encampment, No. 110, I. O. O. F.