Wayne County Press

Dr.  T.  J.  Hilliard, aged 79, passed away at this home here Sunday afternoon, terminating a life of service to Wayne County and all mankind. He had been in declining health for several months, due largely to his advanced age, and the strain of continued service in his profession, made necessary by the present shortage of physicians. His death resulted directly, however, from injuries sustained in a fall about two weeks ago, and a paralytic stroke, which followed the fall. His condition continued to grow more critical after the stroke and on Wednesday of last week he lost consciousness and lay in a coma until shortly after two o’clock Sunday afternoon, when death came.

The remains were instated at the Haefele-Dixon funeral home until ten o’clock Tuesday morning, when they were removed to the First Methodist church.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon from the church, with Dr. Cameron Harmon officiating, assisted by Dr. Albert R. Ransome, of Edwardsville, Rev. Roy N. Keen, of Centralia, former pastors, and Rev. W.I. Terhune, pastor of the Helen Moore Church. Interment was in the Maple Hill cemetery.

Dr. Hilliard’s career was neither spectacular nor colorful. It might be summed up in one word-service. He has practiced medicine in Wayne County for more than fifty-two years. During that time he has brought more than 6000 babies into the world. In at least one case he has served as the “family doctor” for six generations, and in a number of cases for five generations. The family doctor is the one man who enters more largely into the lives of his neighbors than anyone else.   He gives not only of his skill as a physician and a surgeon, but the advice and condolence of a friend. Where he sees sorrow or suffering, he tries to alleviate it, to comfort the distressed and relieve the sick, and with this principle, which becomes the fundamental and prevailing doctrine of his profession, his life and service become the property of those who need them. Dr. Hilliard was just such a physician, and the bereavement at his passing extends into hundreds of home throughout the county.

Thomas Jefferson Hilliard was born January 25, 1864, on a farm near Geff, Illinois, the son of George H.  and  Elizabeth Green Hilliard.  He was one of a family of twelve children. He attended elementary schools in Wayne County and received his first advanced education at the Hayward College in Fairfield.

Upon completing his college course Dr. Hilliard entered the teaching profession and taught in the rural schools of White county from 1884 to 1888. During this period he became acquainted with Stella Hunter, whom he married in 1892. Also during this period he decided to enter the medical profession. His grandfather, the late Dr. Thomas Green had started practicing medicine in Wayne County in 1835. An uncle, the late Dr. Barrackman had continued the practice, so that with Dr. Thomas and his brother, Dr. Dave Hilliard, late of Geff, Illinois, the county has received medical services from the family for 108 years.

Forsaking the teaching profession Dr. Hilliard entered the Indiana State School of Medicine at Indianapolis. He the attended the Kentucky school of medicine at Louisville and later took a post graduate course at the Missouri University School of Medicine.

He began his practice in his home community of Geff in 1891, and the following year married Miss Hunter. His practice grew rapidly, and in 1906 after fifteen years of practice, he moved to Fairfield, where his service continued until just two weeks before his death.

Dr. Hilliard’s father was at one time a bishop in the Latter Day Saints Church, and being reared in a Christian home, he confessed his faith in Christ at an early age and united with the Methodist Church. He has been an active member in that denomination practically his entire life, and for many years has served as a member of the Official Board of the First Church of Fairfield.

He was also an active and valued member of various other organizations of the community. He was a past president of the Fairfield Rotary club, a director of the Chamber of Commerce,  and a past president of the Wayne County Medical Society. He was also a Mason.  He was one of the leaders in practically all civic improvement programs.

Surviving are his aged widow, with whom he celebrated their fifty-first wedding anniversary in February; one daughter, Mrs. Lyndall Bunting; two sisters, Mrs. Laban Williams,of Mitchell, Ind., and Mrs. David Miller, of Geff, Illinois; two brothers, J. Andy Hilliard and Charles Hilliard of Geff, and his son-in-law and business associate, D.T. Bunting.

One daughter, Wanda, preceded him in death in 1918.