The Somerset reporter., 1896-05-14
address by Rev. e. II. spaulding OF Bos-
ton.
There we're good sized audiences in al
tendance aud many Somerset towns We're
represented by goodlY delegations
Benjamin Hilton.

Benjamin Hilton, proprietor Of the
Somerset Hotel in this village, died at ,
o'clock Friday night, May $, at the age
of III years and months.
Mr. Hilton was born in Arson and his
boyhood days were passed on farm.
In 1866 when quite a young man he went
to Boston, Mass, where he was employ
ed in store until August. 1886, when
he returned home. In the fall of 1851
he and his brother John (Senor propri.
etor of the Weston House at Madison)
purchased large farm and carried on
the business until December 1859. when
Benjamin went to California and re-
manned until the fall of 1868. During
the three years n California he was at
the head of the extensive sheep breeding
establishment of Messrs. Flint, Bixby x
Co.
For several years after returning home
| Mr.. Hilton continued in the sheep bust
ness and devoted much time to the study
of the best flocks and the best breeding
animals. The Home Farm of March Is,
| 1882, has the following:
"Mr. Hilton is beyond question one of
the best judges Of fine wool sheep and
the most judicious breeder of the same
in New England
Mr.. Hilton made annual trips to YER
mont from the years of 1876 TO 81 for the
purpose of purchasing high grade, fine
wool sheep, and brought to his large
farm near this village 293 sheep for breed
ing purposes.
After returning from California in
1868, he Immediately formed co.part-
nership with the late William II. Brown,
under the name of Brown Il Hilton, as
proprietors of the Somerset Hotel, and
continued there until his death.
In 1867 he n arried Miss Helen A.
Fletcher of this village, and one son was
born to them. Mr.. Hilton was deputy
sheriff from 1870 to 1873.
He was the first to conceive the idea
of Introducing Shropshire sheep and
WEIGH ponies into the State of Maine,
and accordingly in December, 1856,
sailed to Europe and visited Scotland
and England, purchased and brought
home with him in February, 1887, eleven
of these ponies and forty nine sheep
Shortly after twenty more ponies were
added to the number, making thirty-one
in all. He was a trustee and superin-
tehdent of the horse department of the
Maine State Fair from 1885 to 1888, and
was a life member of the same.
In 1894 he added numbering to his
already large business operations. Since
the death of Mr.. Brown in 1889 he has
managed all of this business alone.
In February, 1895, Mr.. Hilton was
stricken with paralysis and but partially
recovered. Mr.. Hilton had business
tact, good judgment, and executive
ability that few Toen possess, and nearly
all of his undertakings have been pros
porous.
He was hard working man all his
life, looking after the minutest details
of his business himself. 1t can be truly
said that Benjam IN Hilton could create
business where II any others would fail.
The Somerset Hotel under his manage
ment has been during these years, a
pleasant home f. the travelling public.
Mr.. Hilton's gel Il manner and hospi-
tally always mi the stranger feel well
come I'll re. II funeral took place in
the Somerset parlor at . p. m. Sunday
one of those beautiful May days when
nature smiles with renewed life. A
large gathering of our citizens and peo-
Pile from surrounding towns was in
attendance to pay their last tribute of
respect to one who for long years had
lived and moved among them. The
floral offerings were profuse and beauti-
full. Music was furnished by the male
quartette, composed of Messrs. Sawyer,
Parsons, Mantor and Stevens. Rev. W.
+. Small officiated. The burial was in
the village cemetery North
Anson.