My Genealogy Hound

William P. Hilton. This successful planter and stockman of Polk County, Ark., of which he has been a resident since 1852, is well and favorably known to the many citizens of Fulton Township. He was born twelve miles east of Hot Springs, Ark., in 1847, being the fourth of eight children born to Wade Hampton and Anna (Terry) Hilton, they being born in East Tennessee, in 1806, and Illinois, in 1813, respectively, their marriage taking place in Arkansas about 1840. After coming to Polk County, Ark., in 1852 they settled near Silver Center, where Mrs. Hilton still lives, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Hilton left his home about nineteen years ago, and as he has not been heard of for seven years, it is supposed he is dead. He was well to do in worldly goods, and was thrifty and industrious. He was a small boy when his father died, the latter being a Kentuckian. Mrs. Hilton’s father, John Terry, removed from Illinois to Missouri, and in a very early day came to Pulaski County, Ark., but both he and his wife ended their days in Hot Springs County. William P. Hilton has been a resident of this county since he was six years of age, and since reaching mature years has identified himself with every interest of this section. He obtained a common-school education, and served about one year in Monroe’s regiment of Arkansas Cavalry, and after being on duty in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, he surrendered at Dallas, Tex., at the close of the war. He was married in 1868, to Rachel Ann, daughter of John Hargrove. She was born in Mississippi and died in this county, May 12, 1886, an earnest member of the Baptist Church. His second marriage took place in 1886, to Miss Kate Rebecca, daughter of Thomas and Martha Ann Fite, formerly of Tennessee, but afterward becoming residents of Dallas County, Ark., where they now live, having been residents of Polk County for five years. Mrs. Hilton was born in Dallas County, and has borne her husband two children. Since 1868 Mr. Hilton has lived on his present farm which contains 200 acres of land, all of which he has earned himself, 100 acres being under cultivation. He and his wife are members of the United Missionary Baptist Church.