Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Van Buren County who occupies a more enviable position in agricultural and political circles than Mr. Hillis, who is now the efficient and popular register of deeds of the county. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and excellent management have brought to him the prosperity which is to-day his.
On Rocky River, in the Eighth district, upon the farm where he now lives, Mr. Hillis was born March 12, 1854, a son of Isaac and Jane (Logue) Hillis. The father was born near Lexington, Ky., and was one of the first settlers on Rocky River, the country round about being then a vast cane brake. Bear was plentiful and deer and wild turkey abounded. Throughout life he followed the occupation of farming and was very successful. On coming to Van Buren county, he was accompanied by his brother, James Hillis. He was twice married, his first wife being Rebecca Naylor, who died many years ago. His death occurred March 9, 1877, in the house now occupied by our subject, when he was eighty-nine years of age. In politics, he was a pronounced Democrat. The mother of our subject, who was a consistent member of the Christian church, was born on Rocky River, Van Buren county, and died here in 1891, at the age of seventy-seven years. By each wife the father had twelve children, but only eight of the twenty-four are now living, namely; Rebecca, widow of Chris Hager, and a resident of McLennon county, Texas; James, who lives at the head of Rocky River in Van Buren county; Roswell, whose home is also in that locality; Squire, a resident of Van Buren county; and Virginia, wife of Nelson R. Gully, a prominent farmer of this valley. The three named, together with our subject, are children of the second marriage.
In the schools near his father’s home, Blackstone O. Hillis obtained his education. At the age of sixteen years he began earning his own livelihood, and has since successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, owning a fine farm in the valley and another in the mountains. He was married on the 11th of January, 1875, the lady of his choice being, Miss Martha Denney, who was born on Laurel Creek, and is a daughter of Preston Denney. To them were born three children, but Revedy is the only one now living, the others having died in infancy.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Hillis has been an ardent Democrat, and on that ticket was elected register of Van Buren county in 1896. His wife holds membership in the Christian church.
Memorial and Biographical Record, an Illustrated Compendium of Biography. Geo. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1898, pp. 474 and 475.