Adam Hilker

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-27434

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00023-1632.1
• Occupation: 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; shoemaker

Notes:

THE FOUNDING OF PORT ELGIN

Port Elgin's development began when, in 1854, Benjamin Shantz, one of Saugeen Township's early settlers, acquired from George Butchart a sawmill on Mill Creek. Nearby he built a grist-mill and within three years a community of 250 people had developed around these mills. Stores, hotels and tanneries were constructed and in March, 1857, a village plot named Port Elgin was laid out. The enterprise of its businessmen, notably Henry Hilker, Samuel Bricker and John Stafford, contributed to the development of the settlement, which had a population of over 600 by 1867. The arrival of the Wellington, Grey and Bruce Railway in 1872 further stimulated the growth of the community and it was incorporated as a Village in 1874 with a population of about 950.

Erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Historical Plaques of Bruce County, Ontario, Canada Location: Park Place Rd. just off Goderich St, H-Way 21, Pt. Elg

Henry — Emily. Emily was born 1836, , Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Emily Hilker
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-27431

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-27418
• Occupation: 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1861, Saugeen Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

William emmigrated from Germany in 1834 to Jamaica later in 1837 moved to Preston according to research done by John Calder in 2008.

Rsrch. Note:
Subject: William and Henriette HILKER, Waterloo Twp, Ontario 1851
Author: William B Wolfe
Date: 22 Nov 2000 4:47 AM GMT
Email: williambwolfe@hotmail.com
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It seems that all four of the Hilker males, sons of William and Henriette Hilker (1851 Census, Waterloo Twp, Waterloo Co. ON) moved from Waterloo Co. to District 28, North Bruce, ON. In the 1871 Census, Henry, 46, is listed as a Merchant in sub-district "B", Saugeen, Page 39: Adam, 37, farmer, is in the same sub-district, Page 33: Benjamin, 27, no occupation listed, is in the same sub-district, Page 55 with his 26-yr-old wife Abigail (nee Detweiler) and 7-month-old daughter, Nancy, and a 28-yr-old boarder of French origin, Louis Sees, b. in the USA. Louis Sees is my (Dianne's) Great Grandfather. Abigail Detweiler's niece, Angelina Detweiler married Louis Sees.

The 4th Hilker son who migrated to North Bruce is listed in the 1871 Census as a builder, age 31, living in Southampton Village, Page 27.

Henry Hilker, the oldest of the 4 boys, is a famous original settler of the town of Port Elgin. He came in 1853. He was the 1st Reeve. He had a general store on Goderich Street in the center of town which he ran for years with Mr. Ruby (Ruby Hilker) It later became Hilker Co. A major street is named after this town founder, Henry Hilker.

Henry's youngest brother, Benjamin migrated to the USA with his wife, Abigail and 3 kids about 1874. They settled in Mower County, Minnesota. About 5 years later, Abigail's brother, George D. Detweiler and his wife, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Kepkey) moved with their 3 Ontario-born kids to Mower County MN. The 1880 MN census shows these two families living on the same farm in Lansing Township, Mower Co., Enumeration District 170, Page 574C, Line 37, Dwelling No. 28. By that time, June 8th, 1880, there were 12 people in this extended family.

We've been able to learn more about the descendants of these Hilker/Detweiler families, which we can talk about if you are interested. Because Henry Hilker was such an important pioneer and pillar in the town of Port Elgin, Bruce Co., ON, the histories of that town, Saugeen Township and North Bruce County are rich with Hilker information, lore and photographs

William — Henriette. Henriette was born 1799, , Germany; died 25 Jul 1869, Saugeen Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Henriette Hilker
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-27419