The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-07-07
Was For Many Years Prominent
Resident and Nursery
nan Of keo-
kuk.
HE WAS BORN In OHIO
Proprietor Many Years Of tho Missls-
sIppl Valley Nursery
Near This
City.

George o. Hilton, well remembered
as former respected citizen Of Keo-
kuk died recently at his home near
San Diego, Calf, at an advanced age.
MT. Hilton was born at Cincinnati,
Ohio. in 1928. The date " his COM
ing to this vicinity is not clearly
shown. In 1853 he engaged In the
nursery and fruit growing business,
out on the Hilton road, about two
miles out from Keokuk, with Charles
Hubbell. Mr. Hubbell later concluded
to go to the Pacific coast, locating In
California. Mr.. Hilton purchasing his
interest and successfully continued
the business, the old Hilton place be-
coming landmark In this vicinity.
He was prominent member of the
Baptist church and was always active
IN his church work He was a de-
servingly popular man, quiet and I'M
|obtrusive, and popular and compan-
ionable among his friends and neigh
bors.
Mr.. Hilton married Miss Mary e.
Luce, native of Buffalo, New York,
at Oberlin, Ohio. There were five
children when he was SO well known
in this vicinity, three sons, George
F., Frank e. and Robert A Hilton,
and two daughters. Misses Libbie M.
and Margaret.
Late in the eighties or the early
Inineties he removed with his family
to California, George H. became a
Baptist minister and died several
years ago, visiting Keokuk after the
family left here; Frank is said to be
a resident Of Portland, Oregon, and
Robert, physician in Chicago. The
daughters visited here also since
their departure and during their visit
Eere joined with old schoolmates, In
lcluding the daughter Of Judge A. L..
Parsons, in class reunion with those
whom they had associated during their
public school days In Keokuk, which
is remembered as most pleasing
event. during which occasion tho
party drove out and took view of
! the old Hilton home and Mississippi
Valley nursery, as Mr. Hnron's nurs-
| cry was Known, and where the old
home was situated. A few years be-
| fore his death he had become blind
and had to be led about He was a
faithful, honorable man as all viii
testify who knew him, and Keokuk
people generally will feel sorrow at
the announcement of his death.
The San Diego, Calf, Union of
June 80, had this mention Of his
death:
George Oliver Hilton, eighty-fve
years old, resident of San Diego
since 1891, died at the home of his
daughter yesterday.
Mr.. Hilton was born In Clarmont
county. Ohio, May /. 1928. He was
educated in Cincinnati Old Woodward
College.
| He was married In 1853 to Miss
Mary e. Luce of Oberlin and for
several years they made Cincinnati
their home. Later they moved to
Keokuk, Iowa.
In 1891 he moved to San Diego and
engaged in fruit growing and during
his residence here he has improved
several tracts.
| The last ten years Mr.. Hilton has
been afflicted with blindness, and has
been compelled to depend on others
for the active management Of his
property.
All his life Mr. Hilton had been a
faithful member Of the Baptist church
and was for thirty years choirster In
the Keoliuk church. Mr.. Hilton's
family is one of the Oldest in New
market, New Hampshire, where they
settled In 1923 and still preserve the
old estate.