My Genealogy Hound

ORVILLE M. HILLER is of German descent, his ancestors coming over with the colony from Holland, which settled New Amsterdam, now New York city. He was born in Genesee county, New York, January 21, 1831, and is a son of Michael and Rachael (Grandy) Hiller. His paternal grandfather Hiller was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was taken prisoner by the British, and spent three years on board a prison ship. At the close of the war he was exchanged, but his health was so badly shattered that he died a few years afterward, and his brother-in-law, Gen. Philip Schuyler cared for his family and reared and educated the children. Michael Hiller, (father) was a native of Herkimer county, N.Y., born in 1787. He married Rachael Grandy, when a young man moved to Genesee county and cleared a farm from the wilderness. In 1837 he moved from Genesee county to Cattaraugus county, where he cleared a nice farm and spent the rest of his life there. He was a stirring man, a member of the Baptist church, a strong abolitionist and a “conductor” on the famous “under-ground railroad.” He died in 1854. His wife (mother) was a native of Connecticut and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She died in 1838.

Orville M. Hiller was brought up on a farm, educated in the common schools and in Springville academy, where he spent two years, and then learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1851 he came to Dunkirk and pursued that occupation until 1863, when he enlisted for three months in company D, 68th regiment N. Y. Vols., was commissioned second lieutenant, and served his term of enlistment. In 1865 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Chautauqua county, held that office nine years, and in 1874 was elected police justice of Dunkirk for two years and re-elected in 1876 for a like term. From 1876 to 1886 he was employed at his trade by the Erie R. R. Co., having previously worked for them twelve years, 1851-1863 in same capacity. In 1886 he was again elected police justice and has held that office ever since.

Politically he is a straight republican and takes an active part in politics. He is a member of Dunkirk commandery K. T. In addition to his other business he is interested in real estate.

Orville M. Hiller was married in 1852 to Abigail Connell, of Dunkirk, and has had several children, of whom two are living: Mary M., who is married to Lester F. Stearns, district attorney, who resides in Dunkirk; and Lilian E.