San Joaquin County
Biographies
GRAFTON G. HILLMAN
G. G. HILLMAN, Deputy County
Assessor, was born on shipboard, in California waters of the Pacific Ocean, May
28, 1853, his parents being Grafton and Usiba (Trayer) Hillman. Both parents
were natives of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and the father, a seafaring
man, was captain and owner of a New Bedford whaler. In that capacity he had
been in port at San Francisco before the time of Marshall’s discovery of gold
in California. It was on one of the cruises of this vessel that the subject of
this sketch was born. The father continued at sea until 1864, when he bought a
farm in Dent Township, San Joaquin County, about fourteen miles from Stockton,
and settled down there. Five years later he sold out, and for the succeeding
two or three years was again at sea in the capacity of mate in the coast trade.
He then repurchased his old ranch, and that time remained there nearly three
years. He then went back to sea life again. He eventually located in San
Francisco permanently, and is now in business there.
G. G. Hillman, with whose name this sketch
commences, was reared principally in this county, and attended the schools of
his neighborhood. At the age of nineteen years he started out for himself,
working at farm work, clerking, etc., and eventually finishing his education
and fitting himself for a business career at the Stockton Business College. In
1878 he started in farming for himself in this county, and has ever since
devoted himself to that branch of industry. He was appointed Deputy County
Assessor of this county in February, 1887, and assessed Douglass Township in
that year and 1888. In 1889 he assessed O’Neil Township, which is also his
field for 1890.
He has been twice married. His first wife,
whose maiden name was Jennie Abbott, died in this county, leaving two children,
viz: Nellie and Lizzie. His present wife was formerly Miss Melissa Patterson, a
native of West Virginia. They have one child--Ruby.
Mr. Hillman is a Republican politically,
and has been prominent in the party organization and active in the ranks. He is
Past Grand of Charity Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., and is a member of Nemo Lodge,
K. of P., and of the American Legion of Honor.
Mr. Hillman is a conscientious officer,
uniformly fair and courteous in the conduct of his official duties, and is one
of the most popular men in San Joaquin County.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Page 658. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago,
Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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