Children:
Marie Louise Hilliard
Clinton T. Hilliard
Sibling(s):
Celinda Hilliard
Elizabeth Hilliard
Ellen Hilliard
Anna Hilliard
Flora Hilliard
William Hilliard
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Notes:
Easton Daily Express, Wednesday, August 12, 1914, page
Clinton Hilliard Dies Suddenly
Demise of Prominent Easton Business Man a Shock to the Public
The sudden death of Clinton Hilliard at his home, 214 North Third Street, early last evening, was a staggering blow to his family, his business associates and many friends throughout the city. A short time before the news of his death became known, Mr. Hilliard was on the streets in apparently the best of health. He was in his usual good spirits and gave not the slightest indication that his earthly career was to be cut short so soon.
After partaking of his evening meal Mr. Hilliard went to the second story porch at his home and began reading a newspaper. A little later, when Mrs. Hilliard went to remind him of an engagement they had for the evening, she was shocked to find him unconscious on a chair. A physician was hurriedly summoned. He found Mr. Hilliard dead, a victim of heart disease. So startling sudden had death come that it was almost impossible to make his friends believe Mr. Hilliard had passed away.
Clinton Hilliard was born in Easton on February 5th 1854, and lived here all his life. After graduating from the Easton Schools and as a civil engineer from Lafayette College in 1874, Mr. Hilliard entered upon a business career that was signally successful and was interrupted only by his death. He formed a partnership with the late James Zearfoss in the lumber business. Success crowned their efforts and the firm name became known far and wife. In 1903, the business was incorporated, with Mr. Hilliard as secretary and treasurer of the company. After the death of Mr. Zearfoss, a few years later, Mr. Hilliard became head of the corporation and assumed the burdens of the business which continued to grow and prosper.
Nott only was Mr. Hilliard engaged in the lumber business, but he was prominently connected with various other business and banking concerns. He was vice-president and a director of the Seitz Brewing Company, a director of the First National Bank and Northampton Trust Company and a stockholder and director in other corporations, including the Delaware Ice Company.
Mr. Hilliard was a thorough Eastonian, always alive to the city’s wants and need and even ready to lend a hand to a deserving cause. He knew Easton as a child know it’s A.B.C’s. Every day of his life he read every daily newspaper published in the city and he had the city’s history and it’s day-by-bay doings at his fingers ends. Although never engaged in active politics, he possessed a thorough knowledge of municipal affairs and kept in close touch with every branch of the local government. In local elections he looked to the man and his principles not the party that nominated him.
Mr. Hilliard made possible Easton’s greatest playground, Eddyside Park where thousands of people, young and old, go every day during the summer to bath in the Delaware River. A sawmill, abandoned when rafting as in industry along the river gave way to the quicker and safer method of transportation, railroading, was converted into a bathing house, with lockers for the accommodation of people who sought the exhilarating exercise and healthy sport of swimming could go and enjoy themselves. Here, too, were built stalls for the housing of canoes, today Eddyside Park is the scene of daily play and pleasure for all Easton, and many families picnic in the shade of the big trees in the pleasure grove.
For many years Mr. Hilliard was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church. He was prominently identified through the chairs of the various local loges. He was a member of Dallas Lodge, No. 396, F. and A.M.; Easton Chapter, No. 173, R. A.M. Pomp Council, No. 20,R. S. M; Hugh de Payens Commandery, No. 19; Knights Templar, Easton, and Lulu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Philadelphia: Grant Conclave, No. 123, Heptasophs; the Pomfret Club and the Board of Trade of this city. He was also a member of the Sigma Deuteron Chapter, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, of Lafayette College.
Deceased is survived by his wife, two children, Clinton T. And Mrs. Marie Louise Hilliard, of this city, his aged mother, Mrs. Edward Hilliard, of this city, and the following sisters, Mrs. Amos Dinkey, Miss Anna Hilliard, Mrs. Herbert Gold, Mrs. Stanley Neiman and Mrs. Edward H. Green of Easton, and Mrs. E. A. Bixler, of New York City. |
