1796-1889
GONE TO REST--From the Daily Star of Saturday
Uncle Hiram Chilson, at the ripe old age of 93 years, died last evening at the home of his son-in-law, Hiram Babcock. He was a native of Vermont. When about 14 or 15 years of age, he volunteered with the other boys to fight the British at the battle of Plattsburg. After it was over he returned home, and his sister, who is living in this city, remembers distinctly his remark as he hung up his musket, "there, thank God, we have licked the British." Mr. Chilson was one a month the very first to settle in this city. In 1848 he crossed the plains to California, where he remained a year or so and returned. He explored the northern Peninsula in this state years before the discovery of minerals. He finally settled down to his trade, a carpenter, and few are the dwellings in this city built at an early day which do not show his mark. Uncle Hiram was too liberal and too honest to accumulate wealth. He never sought a pension. A few years ago, in conversing with a friend relative to his history, he brought in the battle in which he was engaged, and was informed he was entitled to a pension. Hon. Z. Chandler, being informed of his services, promised to present his claim to the [illegible] but did not live to do it, and it was not until the past year that the Hon. J.C. Burrows procured a pension of $8 per month, which really was cheering to a veteran, borne down with years and almost helpless. Peace to his ashes.
(Source: Niles Mirror, Wednesday, November 6, 1889, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)
Hiram Chilson, one of the oldest men in this county, died on Friday last at the residence of Hiram Babcock. Mr. Chilson was a soldier of the war of 1812, and at the time of his death lacked by three months of being ninety-three years old. He had been in fairly good health until the morning of the day of his death.
(Source: Niles Republican, Thursday, November 7, 1889, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)