W. H. Hilliard, farmer of Huntingdon, was born in 1834, in Carroll County, Tenn. He is the son of Rightmon and Delany (Jones) Hilliard. The father was born in 1800 near Raleigh, N.C., and was a farmer by occupation. When a young man he went to Alabama, near Huntsville, where he married a Miss Jones, by whom he had one child. Mrs. Hilliard died, and he afterward married Delany Jones. She was born in 1803. About 1820 Mr. Hilliard came to Carroll County and located in the Twelfth District He was one of the pioneer settlers of the county. He bought 300 acres, settled, and where he always remained. He died in 1856 and his wife in 1867. They had ten children who lived to be grown, six of whom are now living—Eliza, widow of J. P. Johnson; W. J., Emma, wife of Joel A. Watson; Delia, wife of John D. Crider; Fannie, wife of A. C. White, and W. H.
He was reared at home receiving his education in the schools of his native county, making his home with his parents until he was twenty-one. November 30, 1856, he married Miss Cordila Johnson, daughter of James M. Johnson. Mrs. Hilliard was boin in 1829, in Carroll County. They had one child, Sebron J., who resides in the Twenty-fourth District and is a farmer. Mr. Hilliard lost his wife in September, 1874, and December of the same year he married Miss Louisa E. Johnson, sister of his first wife. Mrs. Hilliard was born in 1842, in Carroll County. They have two children—Eddie May and Louisa Essie. After marrying, Mr. Hilliard bought 118 acres in the Twelfth District, and began his career as a farmer on his own responsibility. In 1883 he moved to Huntingdon, where he has since resided. Mr. Hilliard now owns 850 acres, and is a well-to-do farmer. He commenced in life as a poor boy, but by his energy, industry and close application to business he has succeeded nicely, and is now in easy circumstances. In politics he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Fillmore in 1856. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his oldest son of the Christian Church.
Transcribed by David Donahue
Source: History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Carroll, Henry and Benton Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1978.