The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 305 LEWIS J. HILLBERY. The fruit industry of the Yakima valley finds a foremost representative in Lewis J. Hillbery, who now owns forty acres of valuable land one mile north of Zillah, fifteen of which are devoted to orchard. From this source he now derives a gratifying income which is greatly augmented because he not only raises the fruit but also packs the same, having upon his place a frost proof packing house with storage for two thousand boxes. Mr. Hillbery was born in Sweden, March 16, 1856, a son of Peter and Emeline Hillbery. He began his education in his native country but in 1870 the family took up their abode in Polk county, Wisconsin, where the father secured a homestead. They remained in that state for ten years, when removal was made to Pope county, Minnesota, and there Lewis J. Hillbery bought a farm, his parents living with him. In that state his mother passed away. Having heard many favorable reports in regard to the opportunities presented in Yakima county, Mr. Hillbery came to this district in the fall of 1901 and bought seventy-five acres of land one mile north of Zillah which was partly improved, but of this tract he has sold thirty-five acres, so that he now owns forty acres. About fifteen acres are in orchard, devoted to the raising of apples, pears, peaches and cherries, the remainder of the tract being under the plow or in alfalfa. Mr. Hillbery has remodeled the house, which is now a modern and substantial residence, and has built suitable barns and made other improvements which have enhanced the value of his property. He built a frost proof packing house with a storage capacity of two thousand boxes and thus has in every way anticipated the needs of the modern fruit raiser. On the 20th of December, 1899, Mr. Hillbery was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bryce, a native of Minnesota and a daughter of John and Esther (Smith) Bryce, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Wisconsin. The parents are successful agriculturists and reside in Minnesota. By a former marriage Mr. Hillbery had the following children: Wilber, who is employed in the postoffice at Yakima and is married and has five children; Otto, who has a wife and one child and is residing at home; and Clarence, who is serving his country in the United States navy on a cruiser and has crossed the ocean seven times. Mr. and Mrs. Hillbery are prominent socially and have many friends in the neighborhood of Zillah. In his political affiliation he is independent to a large extent although he gives his allegiance to the republican party as far as national issues are concerned. He has ever given the subject of education careful attention and while a resident of Minnesota he served for two terms as a member of the school board and was also road overseer in that state. Mr. Hillbery is now numbered among the substantial and prosperous residents of his district and there is great credit due him for what he has achieved, as his success is entirely attributable to his own efforts. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.