Back in 1855, an Athens, Missouri merchant named Hiram Milliken sent an urgent letter  to his nephew, Hiram  Milliken Hiller in Pennsylvania, appealing for his help. Milliken was ill,  struggling to save a failing dry goods store, and caring for his orphaned  niece and nephew,  Amelia, age 13 and Royal Hiller, 10. 

Hiram Hiller, then 21, came immediately and was soon followed by four other Hiller brothers and sisters: Harriet, John, William, and George.  Two years later, Hiram Hiller returned briefly to Pennsylvania to marry Sarah Fulton Bell, bringing her back to Athens to make their home.  All of the members of the family had businesses and farms in and around Athens during their years there.  All of the men also served with Union forces during the Civil War.  John and Hiram both served as officers in the Second Missouri Cavalry until the end of the war in 1865.  Hiram rose to the rank of colonel and John was a captain.

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On May 4, 2013 members of Friends of Athens will be assisting at an event, "The Hillers of Athens" to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Battle of Athens State Historic Site in Athens, MO.  Displays of Hiller family furniture, clothing, photographs and printed materials will be on display.  Speakers during the day will be Hiram Thompson Hiller, the great, great, great grandson of Col. Hiram M. Hiller, and site interpreter, Jo Bryant.