Horrace and Harriet farmed in Hire Township, McDonough County, from 1870 to 1903. All of their children were born in Hire Township, rather than Blandinsville, as shown on the memorials for several of their children. There are multiple news items prior to 1903 reporting various events for family members , and in each one the location of Horrace and Harriet's home was stated as Hire Township.~Blandinsville Star-Gazette, page 1
Thursday, February 4, 1915

Hillman

W. Horace Hillman was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Dec. 27, 1840 and died at his residence in Blandinsville Ill Wednesday Jan. 17, 1912 [sic] at 7:30 p. m., age 74 years, 1 month.

Both parents, William and Nancy Hillman, and 8 of his 10 brothers and sisters have preceded him in death.

He came to Illinois in his 25th year and was married to Miss Harriet L. Nelson July 26, 1866. To this union twelve children were born, 7 girls and 5 boys, viz: Mrs. Flora Farris, Mrs. Gertie Cox, Mrs. Glenna Thatcher, all of Blandinsville, Mrs. Alice Hall of Kirksville, Mo., Arthur of Colchester., Joseph of Burlington, Iowa, Mrs. Sadie Hardin of Loveland Colo., Lewis of LaHarpe, Ill., Herbert of Macomb, Ill., Mrs. Ida Bughman Mooreton, N. Dak., Mrs. Mary Booth of Elbow, Sask., Canada, and William who died on Sept. 26, 1901.

After his marriage his settled on a farm in Hire township near the Friendship church where he lived till the fall of 1903 when he moved to Blandinsville where he resided till his death.

He had been a great sufferer but not confined to his bed until the last days[.] He was converted in his early life and joined the Rock Creek M. E. church and was a faithful and regular attendant at both Sunday school and church services until his sickness and ill health prevented his going.

He was a faithful husband, a loving father and a kind neighbor. Besides his wife and eleven children, who except two were present when death came, there are 27 grandchildren and two great grandchildren [sic] who with a large circle of friends mourn his death. The world was made better by the association of the life that is gone.

Funeral services were held at the residence at 10 a. m. on Friday, the Rev. Chas. Vandettum officiating. The interment was at the Friendship cemetery.

Card of Thanks

We wish to express our heartiest thanks to all the friends and neighbors who extended to us their kindness and sympathy during the illness and on the death of beloved husband and father.

Mrs. H. Hillman and Children.