My Genealogy Hound

William I. Hilliard, contractor and builder, and manufacturer of brick, Pine Bluff, Ark. Among all classes and in every condition of life are those who excel in whatever they undertake, whether of a professional, agricultural or commercial nature, and among those who have cleverly demonstrated this statement is he whose name appears above. Born in Madison Parish, Louisiana, in November, 1840, he is the son of J. C. Hilliard, a native of Virginia. The father passed his boyhood days in his native State, but later went to Ohio, where he married Miss Abigail Yeoman, a native of New York. While in the Buckeye State Mr. Hilliard followed the brick-making trade, and there resided for a number of years. Later he removed to Louisiana, where he carried on his former occupation for some time, and in 1847 returned to Ohio, locating in Cincinnati, where he still continued the brick-making business. In 1854 he went back to Louisiana, and after a residence there of a number of years, made his home with his son, William I. Hilliard, at Little Rock, Ark., until his death, which occurred in 1884. He was a much respected citizen, and filled a number of local offices where he resided. His wife died in 1858. William I. Hilliard received excellent advantages for an education in the schools of Cincinnati and other schools, and began assisting his father in the brickyard when a mere lad. This business he learned very thoroughly, and is now one of the most experienced brick-makers of Arkansas. He remained with his parents until grown, and commenced the brick business when about eighteen years of age, at Floyd, La., but this continued only one season, when he went to laying brick in that State. After following this for about five years, or up to the breaking out of the late war, he went North (Indiana) and there remained for a short time. After that he worked at laying brick until 1868, when he went West to Springfield, Mo., and there resumed laying and making brick for two and a half years. He moved to Little Rock, Ark., in 1872, manufactured brick for two seasons, and was also engaged in contracting and laying brick. In September, 1886, he located at Pine Bluff, commenced contracting and building that season, and has since been actively occupied in that business, as the many fine buildings in the city abundantly testify. He lays all his own brick, and, from an average of four kilns, manufactured about 1,200,000 this year. He was married in Washington County, Ark., on March 27, 1872, to Miss Emma English, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth English. There are five children living of this marriage: Birdie, Elizabeth, Willie I., John and Abbie. Mr. Hilliard is a member of the Ancient Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.