NOTES
THIS WAS A LETTER GIVEN TO ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER AURA HILER MARR FROM RHODA HILER STEARNS
I was born in Lake City on April 9, 1866. When I was nine years old, my folks pioneered in Kingman Township near Olivia, Minnesota
My father had oxen. It took three days for father to get our mail and groceries and for all the neighbors which were very few. It took one day to get the trading done and one to drive back. Then one day we heard a train whistle. It was the Hasting and Dakota Railroad. It had come as far as Bird Island. How happy we were to get a post office and some stores.
I Think everybody was more contented and happier with what they had those days.
An Old Fashioned Mother
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RHODA MAY STEARNS AND JOHN HENRY HILER
Rhoda May Stearns met John H. Hiler when she was of an age to marry. I remember hearing her say that he was a nice looking young man and had prospects of being able to support a wife; and it was time for her to marry.
After their marriage in Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, Rhoda and John moved to Nebraska where they homesteaded near Sutton, Nebraska. Maude and Burt were born there. Homesteading did not prove successful and they returned to Minnesota. Aura was born in Bird Island, Minnesota, where Rhoda's mother, Sarah Stearns, lived. By 1888, they moved to East Grand Forks where John was in a wood and dray transfer business. John was elected to the City Council as Alderman from the 3rd Ward and served seven years. They lived in a little victorian home where Lillian, Pearl and Everett were born.
In 1900, Rhoda and John bought the homestead farm near Erskine, later called Lakeside Farm. This land was logged for the lumber. By 1907, the family moved to the Erskine farm where the original log house was enlarged to a two story farm house.
In 1928, the Erskine farm was foreclosed by the bank when a friend defauled on a loan cosigned by John. Rhoda and John moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where they opened a small confectionary store. They lived in a small addition which John built on the rear of the store. The principal customers were school children from the school across the street. The store was in operation from May 28, 1928 to October 28, 1929.
In the spring of 1931, Rhoda and John drove to California to visit Rhoda's sisters and brothers. They returned via Chicago where Pearl and Lillian were living. Rhoda and John moved to a farm near Springville, Michigan, which had recently been purchased by J.H.Hand. That farm too was foreclosed by the bank due to the depression.
By 1933, Rhoda and John moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota, where Maude had purchased a five acre farm with a little four room house. This is the farm most of the Hiler grandchildren remember visiting each summer or whenever our parents could come.
John kept a cow for many years and sold milk and cream to neighbors and to a dairy in town. He raised strawberries, raspberries and many vegetables. He would load his car with produce and drive to Albert Lea to sell to townspeople, driving up and down the streets to friends who were his customers. Any and all visiting grandchildren were strongly encouraged to help.
They lived on this little farm until John's death on October 7, 1952. Rhoda moved all her belongings to Everett and Elsie's house in Albert Lea and traveled to Calgary where she lived with Maude. Later she moved to Chicago and loved with Pearl until her death on February 22, 1956. Both Rhoda and John are buried in Graceland Cemetery, Albert Lea, Minnesota.
EVERETT AND ELSIE HILER'S HOUSE (2003)
Paine, H. A., House (added 1986 - Building - #86000481)
Also known as Hiler Residence
609 W. Fountain St., Albert Lea
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Paine,H.A.
Architectural Style: Queen Anne
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1875-1899
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Domestic
Historic Sub-function: Single Dwelling
Current Function: Domestic
Current Sub-function: Single Dwelling
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RAPHAEL DE PODIO
Notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note for: Conrad II Raphael DePodio, BET 1000 AND 1010 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first mention of the family was found at the siege of Nice, by Admiral Soliman of the Turks, in the 9th or 10th century. The name then was probably the Roman "De Podio" for the family originated in the hills, a little northeast of Florence, Italy, at Lucca, in Etruria, 7th region of Italy but originally part of Ligeria.
Raphael was General and Commander of the Roman Cavalry and Grand Chamberlain of the Roman Republic. Coming into France with Conrad de Salique (Conrad II), in 1033, Raphael was rewarded for his bravery by being appointed Governor of the Provinces of Languedoc and Dauphine, with LePuy as the capital. He is the one that changed the name to Du Puy.
He was one of the Governors which Emperor Conrad (II) appointed over his new possessions of Arles and Bourgogne.
The Tomb of Raphael du Puy was opened in 1610 by order of M. Le Compte de la roche, "Goureneur de Romans en Dauphine". The corpse was found extended pon a marble table, his spurs upon one side, his sword upon the other, and upon his head a helmet of lead containing the following inscription upon a copper place. It is said the the "House of DuPuy en Dauphine" posses a gold medal granted to this Raphael DuPuy upon one side of which is written: "Raphael de Podio, grand Chambellan de l"Empire Romaine Sons l"Empereur, Auguste, Christ regnant en chair".
NOTES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFORMATION ABOUT THE DUTCH
NOTES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES
NOTES
NOTES
HILER FAMILY LINKS
Email: conniered@hotmail.com
