Initially believed to have come to the United States from Germany and other parts of northern Europe, the Hile family — spelled in a variety of ways, including Heil and Hiles — initially settled in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the 18th century.
From there, my branch of the family moved westward into the counties surrounding Lexington, Kentucky and eventually into northeast Missouri around Hannibal. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all claim Hannibal as their birthplace.
My immediate branch of the Hile family came out west to Long Beach, California following the Great Depression and during World War II. A preview of the events that led up to the move can be found in the Westward Bound posts, and there were earlier Hiles in the area.
Of course, not every member of the Hile side of the family carried that surname, so some of the photos may carry the names of Kennedy, Smith, Coppedge, Duke, Dameron, and Christian, to name just a few. Other related-family photos can be found in The Bousman Family Connection as well.
related posts
Westward Bound — Heading South
Westward Bound — Such is the Inconsistency of Women
Westward Bound — I Left My Heart …
Westward Bound — Homecoming!
Westward Bound — Warts
Westward Bound — Family Time
images
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Orpheum Theatre Orchestra, Hannibal, Missouri, 1928My grandfather, Wilbur Hile, (seated, second from right) played trombone in the orchestra
Robert Hile at Home in Long BeachOne of my favorite photographs of my father, taken in the 1950s in front of the family home on Abbeyfield in Long Beach, California.
Robert and Darlene Hile GravemarkerRiverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California
Wilbur and Bernice HileWilbur and Bernice Hile in their home in Westminster, California circa 1970s.
In the HospitalWhile living in Colorado in 1964, I spent several days in the hospital undergoing tests. I never did find out exactly why or what, if anything, was found.
8th BirthdayThat’s me with brother Gary blowing out candles on what appears to be my 8th birthday. That would put this on August 27, 1964 in Wheatridge, Colorado
At a Young AgeNot sure where or when this was taken although it looks like my grandparents street in Long Beach.
Grandparents DrivewayThis one is from my grandparents' home on Abbeyfield in Long Beach with their 1960 Buick in the background
Ralph, Dallas and Wilbur HileTaken in approximately 1916, mother Ella says this was Wilbur's first suit.
Hile Family 1956Dallas, Lois, Wilbur, and Ralph in back, Oscar and Ella in front, presumably taken in 1956 in the backyard of Wilbur and Bea Hile in Long Beach, California
Sunglasses Make the Woman
Mr. Hard HatOn a tour of the old Union Pacific shop in Sacramento, California
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