The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-28

characteristic thoroughness determined
to secure the best preparation for its
serious responsibilities that the times
afforded. He entered the Theological
Sc hool at Canton, NY, in the autumn of
1871, and took the three-years' course
then offered to candidates for the min
istry, and followed it up with the full
post graduate course leading to the de.
gree of Ph.D., which he received in due
time. After leaving School he served a
PRACTICAL apprenticeship in pastoral
work. as assistant to Rev. j. Smith
Dodge. DID,, and under his immediate
supervision. With such thorough pren-
aration joined to his conscientious and
faithful spirit, his success as a pastor
was assured from the start He first
settled at Windsor, Vermont, and at
once took his place among the working
and successful pastors of the church.
From Windsor, he removed to Hins.
dale, N. H., to enter upon wider and
more promising field of labor, when all
his hopes and aspirations as a minister
of his ch-loved church were blasted
by the development of serious lunp
trouble that drove him from the puIpit
and long silenced his voice in all public
speaking. Under the physicians orders
he spent several months in Florida and
found much relief in it's soft and balmv
air. There was, however, no assurance
thatEhe could ever hope to take up pas.
toral work again except under the most
favorable conditions. When it became
evident to him him that his career as a
minister was ended he prepared himself
for the profession of dentistry with the
same pains-taking care and tborouob.
ness with which he had before fitted
himself for the church, He came West.
and located in Fort Atkinson. Wiscon.
SIP, where the condition of our cause
much interested him, and at the sol;c;.
tation of friends, and in defiance Of tho
doctors strict orders, he consented to
preach.
For several years he filed the pulpit
once on Sunday and labored at his nro-
fesslon during the week, doing double
labor for the sake of the good that he
might do. His labors were certainlv
blessed, and the little church in Fort
Atkinson is an abiding monument to his
deep interest in the cause and consecra-
ton to it. The society was much III.
vided, and its members were profopndlv
discouraged. But at the call of ~
Hilton they rallied, and after much aar.
nest labor, completed the charming little
temple of worship they now ocennv
When he felt that he could safely con-
lie the interests of Universalism in
Fort Atkinson to the hands of another
preacher, and when the society wos
ready for bis coming, he very pladlv
gave way, and none rejoiced more than
he to hear the strong earnest words !,
brother clergyman in that npln;t
The writer knows something of tba
trials through which the Universol;,t
society in Fort Atkinson passed and
how skillfully it weathered many 1
storm under his faithful guidance
1t was in Fort Atkinson that Dr. Hi.
ton entered into married life tbot ~
tracted the admiration of ALI THAR
friends by its simplicity and beauty
DR.. Jennie Kollock had just graduated
from the dental department of the ITn;.
versity of Michigan. She was p;rl !,
unusual gifts, and in DR.. Hilton sba
found much to meet and satisfy bar
loftiest ideals. They were married and
opened dental Office together in Fort
Atkinson. where they gave to the npbl;c
an example OF rarely perfect welded
life; the tastes and aspirations Of bps.
band and wife blending together am,
producing wedding of the soul MOI
often seen.
DIR. Hilton was known and loved "a .
minister and man throughout a wide
region. Far beyond the limits of Fort
Atkinson church he was called 70 servo
at funerals and weddings. and tbasa
calls he always answered, though soma.
times at very great risk to his health
His last ministerial service was rendered
when he officiated last June at the we'd
ding of his sister-in-law, Rev. Florence
kollock and Rev. Joseph Henry Crooker
In 1892 DR.. and Mrs. Hilton removad
from Fort Atkinson to Freeport. Illinois
buying out the largest dental practice
in that city. Their character and ab;l.
ity at once secured their social stand
ing, and they Immediately entered into
lucrative practice. They built beau.
tiful home, and gathered about them
many choice friends who will cbar;sb
the memory of DIR. Hilton as long az life
shall last. He did not cease to be a min
lister of God when compelled to retire
from the pulpit. In many ways he
preached the Fatherhood of God and the
brotherhood Of man. He gave his nro.
fessional services to the Door and
the widow and the orphan had in him
warm and helpful friend. Oot.
wardly so calm, the tears would an b;s
eyes at tale of sorrow, and If monav
would lessen the grief he gave il frealy
Laboring men, or young men strupol;no
to get on, received large deduction
from his regular rates. With no church