John Hilliker (1758-1842) of Westchester, was a Colonial soldier who fought for Independence. His son Benjamin Hilliker (1793-1871) served in the War of 1812, the 2nd war against the British, a conflict which would serve to finally open up the western frontier around the Great Lakes to the Americans.
Benjamin's son William C. Hilliker, is born 1815 in Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York, in the Mohawk Valley. This is within 25 miles of Adam Reese's birthplace in Warren. William grows up, marries a local girl named Nancy Hall and they have 3 children. After Samuel Reese journeys to the Wisconsin Territory, his son Adam Reese and William C. Hilliker decide to follow with their young families to seek cheap land.
Unfortunately, William's wife Nancy dies in Wisconsin a year later. With 3 young children to care for, William soon re-marries to Lucretia Reese, sister of his friend Adam. William and Lucretia will have 4 children of their own.
William C. Hilliker becomes a prominent and respected man in Dodge County, Wisconsin. Lucretia's mother, Elizabeth Bell Reese, will live in William's home after she is widowed.
