Standing in Myrtle Hill Cemetery at Rome, Georgia is an obelisk placed for Dr. Eben Hillyer, his wife Georgia E. (Cooley) Hillyer, and their daughter Ethel Hillyer Harris Brown.
I'd like to share the Latin phrase that is part of the epitaph for Eben.
"Nunc requievit in Patris domo" translates to English as "Now rests in his Father's house."
(If you're like me, and don't know Roman Numerals past X=10, Eben was born 12th August 1832, and died 20th December 1910.)
DR. EBEN HILLYER DIED IN ROME, GA.
Brother of Mr. Carlton Hillyer, of Augusta, Passed Away Tuesday Night – Was of Old Southern Family.
Dr. Eben Hillyer, of Rome, Ga., died at his home Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock.
The immediate cause of Dr. Hillyer's death was hypostatic pneumonia, following a fracture of the right thigh, sustained less than a week before.
The funeral services were held in Rome Thursday morning at 11 o'clock.
Dr. Hillyer was a brother of Mr. Carlton Hillyer, of Augusta. He was also a brother of Judge George Hillyer, of Atlanta; Mr. Henry Hillyer, of Atlanta; Mrs. Mary Whitfield, Miss Kate Hillyer and Miss Eva Hillyer, of Decatur, Ga., and Mrs. Ethel Hillyer Harris, Dr. Hillyer's only living child.
In speaking of Dr. Hillyer's life, The Rome Tribune-Herald says:
Dr. Hillyer was born in Athens, Clarke county, on August 12, 1832. He was a son of Junius and Jane Hillyer. All of Dr. Hillyer's great-grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers, and George Walton, a great-uncle, was one of the signers of the declaration of independence, while another greatuncle [sic], Peter Early, was governor of Georgia during the war of 1812. His father, Junius Hillyer, was a man of great distinction in his day and honored the state by distinguished service. He served on the superior court bench, was a member of congress two terms, and was solicitor of the United States treasury under Buchanan.
Dr. Eben Hillyer received his preliminary education in Athens and Penfield, Ga., and was graduated from Jefferson Medical college, of Philadelphia, in the class of 1854. When the Civil war came on, Dr. Hillyer promptly entered the Confederate service, becoming a surgeon with the rank of major. He gave four years of his life to this work, and became one of the best known surgeons in the entire Southern service.
After the close of the war, Dr. Hillyer resumed the active practice of his profession in Atlanta, where for a number of years he served as a professor of institutes of medicines in the old Atlanta Medical college. In 1867 he returned to Rome, where, he engaged in the practice of his profession and also identified himself with agricultural interests.
In 1875, Dr. Hillyer was made president of the Rome railroad, which position he retained for 13 years, and in connection with which he was identified with the executive control of other roads to which the Rome line was attached or with which it was affiliated.
Several years ago, Dr. Hillyer retired from active business and professional activity, and lived more or less at his ease. He never held political office, persistently refusing to permit the use of his name in that connection. He was an earnest and consistent member of the First Baptist church of Rome, and always gave it his loyal support in all of its endeavors.
On July 29, 1857, Dr. Hillyer was married to Miss Georgia E. Cooley, of Rome, an acknowledged beauty and belle in her day. She was the daughter of Hollis Cooley, one of Rome's best known citizens at the time. This union proved to be a very happy one, indeed; Dr. Hillyer was deeply devoted to his home circle and his family.
Born of Cavalier stock, a gentleman of the old school, a staunch friend in time of sorrow no less than in time of sunshine and joy, Dr. Hillyer has gone to his reward beyond the stars. Rome will mourn his loss, and mark his passing with a sigh of sincere grief.
Dr. Hillyer was a magnetic and accomplished gentleman, a Roman of whom the entire city was proud and whom it delighted to honor.
Are you wondering what's up with all the "letter" posts? I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (links to official page). This challenge lasts through the month of April, with Sundays off. Each day follows a different letter prompt, in order, from A to Z. Click here to see all my letter posts on one page (in reverse order). This blog as a whole is one of my themes – telling the tales of tombstones, primarily from those found in the Southern United States and usually the State of Georgia. You may follow along with me by email and other social media platforms listed at the top of the sidebar. I and other bloggers in the challenge on Twitter will also be using #atozchallenge.
Though this is my second year in the challenge, it's my first with two blogs. I am also participating with Lincecum Lineage. Though it is a one name study blog, my theme there is "kinfolk direct." These genealogy and family history posts all involve a direct relative.
Are you participating in the challenge, too? Please leave a link to your blog in the comments, I'd love to pay you a visit. Good luck to all involved!
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