The HILLIS school, District #7, was in Venice twp., Roads #60 (Hillis Rd.) and #191, on their property.
      John and Sarah HILLIS had twelve children:
     (1)*Joseph  Finley HILLIS, their eldest son was born 30 JUNE 1831 in Hickory, Mt. Pleasant Twp., Washington Co., PA.  He married *Catharine Josephine SHRENK 14 NOV 1861 in Seneca Co., OH. They lived on a farm in Norwich twp., Huron Co. with six children, John Ellsworth, Martin Andrew, William Delbert, Emma, Harry and *Catharine Blanche. Catharine  Blanche married *Oscar Scott BEEBE in Huron Co., OH and lived there all her life. Finley HILLIS died 18 SEPT 1899 in Norwich twp., Huron Co., OH and buried Bethel Church of God Cemetary.
     (2)Sarah A. was born 30 NOV  1832 in Washington Co., PA. She married William McClelland 13 OCT 1853 Seneca Co., OH.  They moved to Portland, MI, where Sara died 19 OCT 1920 at about age 88. IN 1910 census Ionia Co., Portland, MI, she was age 77, a widow who had 6 children with 4 still living and daughter Emma, age 43, a clerk and son Samuel, age 53, a farmer.
     (3)James HILLIS was born 24 MAR 1834 in Washington Co., PA.  20 MAR 1856, he married Rebecca J. CARPENTER, daughter of Caleb and Rebecca Carpenter. James was in the Civil War, 123rd Regt., Co. I, OH along with his brothers, John and David. After the War, James and Rebecca moved to Saginaw Co., MI. Their children were John W., Edward N., Sarah J. and Charles. James died 23 AUG 1895 in Brady twp., Saginaw Co., MI..
     (4) John HILLIS was born 28 MAR 1838 in Hancock Co., W. Virginia. After the Civil War, he married Nancy FINK 4 JUNE 1865 in Huron Co., OH. They bought a farm in Shiawassee Co., MI . Their children were Martha, Sarah, Emery, Mary, John, Luella, Eve, Alta and Bertha. John died 2 MAR 1919 in Rush twp., Shiawassee Co., MI. Buried Henderson,
     (5)David HILLIS was born 12 DEC 1840 in New Cumberland, West Virginia as his parents were moving to OHIO. Civil War 123rd, Co. I, OH. In 1875, he married Christianna GAMBEE in Attica, Seneca Co., OH. They moved to Portland, Ionia Co., MI. After his wife died, he live in Sandusky, Erie Co.,Ohio in the Soldier's Home where he died 18 SEPT 1928. He is buried in Portland, MI.
     (6)Mary Hezamiah was born in 1842 in Seneca Co., OH. She married John S. McLaughlin about 1863. He died and Mary married William Campbell in 1872  and lived in Portland, Ionia Co.,Michigan. She died 1919 and buried in Danby Cem. near Portland, MI.
     (7)William was born in 1843 in OH  and died DEC 1874.
     (8)Martha Jane was born 12 DEC 1844  and married James Westfall  Decker on 20 OCT 1868. They lived in Seneca Co., Ohio and she is buried in Bloomville, OH in Omar Cemetary on State Route 4.
     (9)Zachary Taylor wa born 14 MAY 1846 in Attica, Venice twp., Ohio and died 15 JUNE 1923 in Petosky, Emmett Co., MI. He also was a Civil War vet enlisting at age 17 in 164th Reg., Co.C. OH. In 1893 at age 47, he married Eliza GRACE, age 16 in Owasso, MI and they moved to Emmett Co., MI. Their children were Clyde David died 20 NOV 1968 Cross Village twp., MI, Clinton, Milo died 22 JUN 1923 Bear Creek Twp., MI, John, Frank D. died 21 JAN 1990 Petosky, MI , Earl died 11 APR 1988 Harbor Springs, MI, Isabel died 4 OCT 1970 Marion, MI and Orlo. A daughter Maribell died at age six of diptheria. Taylor HILLIS died in 15 JUNE 1923 in Bear Creek twp., Emmet Co., MI. Buried Joy Cemetary.
     (10)Levi was born 6 OCT 1848 in Seneca Co., OH. He married 1 JAN 1878, Sophia SMELTZ, daughter of Martin and Christiana (LEBOLD) SMELTZ in  Seneca Co.,OH.   Levi died 29 SEPT 1934 in Attica, Seneca Co., OH where they lived.
     (11)Emeline was born 28 FEB 1850 in Seneca Co., OH and married Edward A. MYERS 1878. They lived in Seneca Co., OH. Emma died 2 JUNE 1943 in Seneca Co., OH. Buried in Attica, Ohio.
     (12)Edward Root was born 16 APRIL 1851 Seneca Co., OH and married Mary M. ROGERS, daughter of John and Almira (SNYDER) ROGERS of Seneca Co., OH.  In 1880 census they were in Wood Co., Center twp., OH near village of Bowling Green. Both Edward R. and Mary were age 29. Had children Sarah Belle, age 10 and Ettie E. age 4. Etta Hillis was born 04 JUN 1876 in Wood Co., Ohio. She may have married Monroe Helm of Wood Co., Ohio. Edward R. and Mary may also have had a son named Leo/Leora Hillis born 1884/5. Also found Edward R. Hillis in Valley City twp., Barnes Co., ND in 1900. Family info says Edward bought a a 160 acre homestead in Perkins Co., Lemmon, South Dakota in 1909? (NW 1/4 SEC 35 of twp.23, N Range 14E) and was thinking of moving to Canada.

(MY NOTE:I think Edward and Mary were divorced before 1898. Mary Mahala Rogers Hillis then married Frank Rutherford and is still found in Wood County in 1900. Then she may have later remarried a Mr. Anderson and lived in Michigan. I also think that her daughter Sarah Belle HILLIS married Mr. Fietta ULIS in Wood County, OH about 1887, where they lived in 1900 (married 13 years), and moved to Montcalm Co., MI where they lived for the 1920 census. Belle S. Ulis age 60, a widow was living alone in Ionia Co., Otisco twp., Belding City, MI in 1930 census.

     John and Sarah HILLIS are buried in Union Pisgah (Swamp) Church Cemetary, Section A, in Venice twp., Mansfield Rd., Seneca Co.,OH. This church began in 1844 with three combined churches, Methodist, Freewill Baptist and United Brethren. (Picture postcard photo of Church by Grauer of Bucyrus, Ohio c.1969)
     John died 21 JULY  1874 and Sarah died 23 JUNE 1878.
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WILL OF JOHN HILLIS

I, John Hillis, of the County of Seneca and State of Ohio do make this my last will and testament in the maner and form following To Wit,
First, It is my will that all my just debts and Funeral Expences be fully paid.
2d, I give and devise and bequeth to my beloved Wife in lieu of her dower the one third of all my property. both real and personal as long as she lives.
3rd I give and divise to my son John Hillis, David Hillis, two Hundred Dollars each.
4th I give and devise to son, Taylor Hillis, Levi Hillis and Edwar Hillis twenty Dollars each.
5th I give and divise to my three Daughters Martha Hillis, Emaline Hillis and Mary H. McLaughlin four Hundred Dollars each, all to be paid out of the proceeds of my Estate after the death of my said wife.
6th It is my will that Joseph F. Hillis, James Hillis and Sarah A. McClellan shall have the balance of my Estate both real and personal equally divided among them at the death of my said wife.
7th And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint ( crossed out are the words James Hillis and) D. F. Hamilton to be the Executors of this my last will and testament revoking and annuling all others and confirm this and no other to be my last will and testament. In testimony, where of I hereunto set my hand and swore this 22nd day of June 1867. John Hillis
Signed published and acknowledged by John Hillis as his last will and testament in our presence and signed by us in his presence and by his request as witnesses to the same. D. F. Hamilton, James Hanna

WILL OF SARAH (CUMMINS) HILLIS
    Be it remembered that on the 21st day of August 1878 the last will and testament of Sarah Hillis was admitted to probate in this court which will reads as follows to wit:
     In the name of the Benevolent Father of All. I Sarah Hillis of Venice Township Seneca County, State of Ohio do make and publish this my last Will and Testament.
     Item 1st It is my will that all my just debts and expenses be paid.
     Item 2nd I devise and bequeath to my daughter Emma Hillis the sum of one hundred dollars to be paid to her in money out of the proceeds of my estate by my executors.
     Item 3rd I devise and bequeath to my son Edward R. Hillis the two colts that I now have known as his colts being the same colts that the said Edward now claims and that I gave him.
     Item 4th I devise and bequeath all the balance of my estate after paying said one hundred dollars and delivering said colts herein mentioned to my three sons to wit, Tayolor Hillis, Levi Hillis and said Edward R. Hillis to be divided between them share and share alike.
     Item 5th It is my will that my executors herein after mentioned sell all my property at public or private sale as he shall err fit and divide the proceeds as aforestated in this will.
     Item 6th I hereby nominate and appoint my friend D. F. Waurittore?? executor of this my last will and testament hereby empowering him to adjust and compromise all the debts and claims due me. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day of Oct 1875.
                                                                    Sarah (Her X mark) Hillis (seal)
     Signed and sealed and acknowledged by the said Sarah Hillis as her last will and testament in our presence and signed by us in her presence.    Lester Sutton     Jacob Wise
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copyright 1997  [email protected]   *direct ancestor

(A Reunion Conversation Starter: Did Any of Your Ancestors follow this Old Pattern of Naming Children?
1st son was named after the father's father
2nd son was named after the mother's father
3rd son was named after the father
4th son was named after the father's eldest brother
1st daughter was named after the mother's mother
2nd daughter was named after the father's mother
3rd daughter was named after the mother
4th daughter was named after the mother's eldest sister)