Ernest James was born (1878) and raised in Lake Odessa, Michigan. His parents, Christian and Isabella (Henderson) Hiller were immigrants, arriving in Lake Odessa with their perspective families within a year of each other, 1857 and 1856.
EJ Hiller's high school commencement program, 1899, (given to me by Dorothy Hiller Mather).
EJ was one of 5 students to graduate from the 6th graduating class at Lake Odessa Public Schools on June 20, 1899, their class motto was "Rowing, not Drifting".
Choosing college instead of working the family farm, EJ went on to attend business school at Ferris Institute, now Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. After graduation, he was employed as a bookkeeper by a logging company, Gibbs and Sons of Kingsley, Michigan. After one season there, he returned to Lake Odessa and then in 1907, relocated to Charlevoix, Michigan and became the bookkeeper at the Charlevoix Lumber Company (established in 1868).
EJ & Martha (Kenyon) Hiller on their wedding day.
Ernest Hiller and Martha Kenyon were married June 19, 1908 and by 1909 their first child, my grandfather Don C. Hiller, was born. In 1912, the complicated delivery of their first daughter, Opal Ruth, resulted in her being stillborn on May 3. Martha developed an infection and lingered for another 18 days before succumbing from septicemia.
Both the Kenyon and Hiller Families helped tremendously in raising Don while his father worked at the lumber company, however, by 1918 EJ was married to Christine Peterson and she took over that role. They added 3 children to the family, Ernest James "Jim" in 1919, Lee Christian in 1921 and Annabelle in 1924.
304 Antrim Street about 1911. L-R: Isabella Hiller, Barbara Hiller, EJ holding Don and Christian Hiller.
EJ advanced from lumber company bookkeeper to manager in 1923 and eventually owner of Charlevoix's oldest business (until the time it was sold). After World War II, he was joined by his son Jim who eventually took over the business. EJ walked the eight blocks to work every day - 304 Antrim Street to the lumber mill near the bridge on Round Lake. Over the years my great grandfather
Charlevoix Lumber Company safe, now housed a Harsha House Museum in Charlevoix.
served as Second Ward alderman, a member of the school board, deputy city clerk, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Charlevoix County State Bank. He was also a member of the Charlevoix Lodge No. 282 and the Freemasons. Community was important to him as displayed by his level of service in city. In 1967 when EJ was 89 years old the city honored him at the Venetian Festival naming him Charlevoix's Top Citizen of the Year. The newspaper quoted him as saying "It's been interesting being a spectator in these changing times", no doubt commenting on the past 60 years he had lived in Charlevoix.
Even after he had retired and his eyesight failed he continued to visit the lumber company every day, walking of course. (See above video, taken by my grandfather in the 1960's.) At home, his flower garden was his pride and job and many hours were spent there hoeing and planting.
My great grandfather died in 1969 and since I never knew or met him, this writing is based on research alone. I would like to thank my Mom and Aunt for answering my MANY questions and my family for indulging me while I make my yearly visit to Charlevoix. The Charlevoix Lumber Company is long gone and the Edgewater Inn now occupies that area, just north of the bridge on the shores of Round Lake. Regardless, I feel drawn to that area and love to stand on the bridge where I have a clear view of Round Lake and Pine River/Round Lake Channel, the lighthouse and Lake Michigan. My great grandfather must have loved the view too, 62 years worth.