My Genealogy Hound

DANIEL F. HILTNER, one of the best known residents of Whitemarsh township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, who resides near Plymouth Meeting, is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Freas) Hiltner, both now deceased. He was born on the homestead farm in Whitemarsh, November 29, 1834. The Hiltner family are of German origin, the great-grandfather of Daniel F. Hiltner being the immigrant, he having come to this country more than a hundred and fifty years ago and settled in the section of Pennsylvania in which his descendants are still more or less prominent citizens. He married and among his children was a son, Michael Hiltner, (grandfather), who was a farmer by occupation.

Samuel Hiltner (father) was born in the year 1800 and died in 1881. He was educated in the schools of the neighborhood, and his studies alternated with the occupation of farming, which he followed most of his life. He was a Democrat in politics, but he swerved from his allegiance to that organization during the so-called “Know Nothing” excitement in the fifties, as did so many of the members of the old-line Whig and Democratic parties. He held the position of supervisor in the township for several years, being a faithful official, although he was not an office seeker in the ordinary acceptation of the term. During his early manhood he married Sarah Freas, and their children were: Elizabeth, who became the wife of George Lare; Daniel F., mentioned hereinafter; Sarah and Samuel (twins), neither of whom married; Annie, who died at the age of ten years; Mary, who became the wife of Lewis Allen. The mother of these children, Sarah (Freas) Hiltner, died in 1848, and Samuel Hiltner married for his second wife Catharine Saylor, who bore him the following named children: Joseph, unmarried; Ellen, who became the wife of William Chew; Bartley, who married and resides in Upper Merion township; Calvin, who married Miss McCoy; Amanda, who became the wife of Charles Parven; Jane, who married and resides in Norristown; Andrew, who married Lydia Caesner. The mother of these children, Catharine (Saylor) Hiltner, died in 1900.

Daniel F. Hiltner was educated in the public school at Barren Hill, and the Jeffersonville school, and upon the completion of his studies became an apprentice to the plastering trade under Zebulon Bolton, of Plymouth township. After acquiring some proficiency in his trade he engaged in business for himself, and has successfully conducted the same up to the present time with the exception of fourteen years when he was in charge of the Hiltner marble quarries on the farm. He has done the plastering of most of the houses in his section of the township, and also of many of those in adjoining districts. He has gained an enviable reputation as an excellent and skillful workman, and his services are constantly in demand. He is a Democrat in politics, and since attaining his majority has been steadfast in his advocacy of the principles of his party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is highly respected in his community, and is popular wherever he is known.

On May 6, 1860, Mr. Hiltner married Emeline W. Yetter, daughter of Abraham and Martha (Pettit) Yetter, who was born November 10, 1840. Their children are: 1. Frank W., who married Ida Reigner, and their children are- Emma, who married George Horner; Bessie, Frank, Grover S., and Rachel Hiltner. 2. Annie, born July 20, 1862, who became the wife of Samuel Weidner, and their children are-Elsie and Daniel, both deceased. 3. Elve J., born September 19, 1864, who became the wife of Alexander McQuirns, and they are the parents of two children-John and Mattie McQuirns. 4. Harry F., born July 17, 1866, who married Louisa Carr, and their children are-John K., Daniel F., Harry, and Samuel Hiltner; the father of these children, Harry F. Hiltner, died January 8, 1904. 5. William Y., born November 14, 1868. 6. Mattie Y., born February 29, 1872, died August 17, 1883. 7. Mary E., born January 7, 1875, became the wife of Jesse Keys, and their children -Emma, Mary, and Sarah Keys. 8. Rachel L., born August 23, 1878. 9. Freddie F., born December 20, 1881. Mr. Hiltner and his family attend the Lutheran church.