Pike Township Family Stories
THE JAMES HILLYER FAMILY
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 236-237James H. Hillyer, son of James N. Hillyer and Edna L. Metcalf, daughter of Harvey Metcalf and Mary Heath Metcalf, were long time residents of the Nichols community.
Their entire married life of 56 years was spent in Nichols with the exception of three years. James and Edna Hillyer took up a claim in South Dakota late in 1908 for one year, then they lived near Hayfield, Minnesota, for one and a half years.
They were parents of five children, all born in Nichols: Bernice Hillyer, Clarence Hillyer, Archie Hillyer, Lester Hillyer and Robert Hillyer.
James Hillyer (known as Jimmy by family and friends) worked at many trades while raising his family and providing a good home for them. He was a farm laborer, worked on the railroads, carpenter and school janitor. James was very insistant that all the children receive a high school education, and they all did.
Edna received her education at Siloam school, a country school north of Nichols. James attended the white wooden school that was just east of the Christian church.
When the children were small, James shoveled coal at the coal chutes. In those days the trains used coal for power. From shoveling coal, he went to work as a carpenter, working with Mr. Bill Donham and then for Bert Poole. When his sons were old enough, they worked with their Dad until they established themselves in jobs and homes of their own.
James and Edna had three sons in World War II: Archie was in the Navy and was stationed in the Pacific; Lester was in the Army and stationed in Germany; Robert was in the Marines and stationed in the South Pacific. All three came home to their families.
The Hillyer home was always open to their children’s friends. Many good times were had, in summer and in winter.
James lived to be 83 years old and Edna lived for 80 years. Archie and Robert have died. Clarence and Lester are residents of Nichols, and Bernice lives south of Nichols near her daughter. They were all members of the Christian church.
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Page created December 12, 2010 by Lynn McCleary