Does anyone know if he was a furniture maker? I have a piece of furniture with a paper stuck on the back that says: Geo Hilleman Altamont, Ill to: B. Peterson's Pecatonica, Ill (I know were this is in Winnebago Co., a several miles from the WI state line). The 1878 Effingham County history on page99 lists him as a merchant in Altamont. on the corner of Main and Grove streets, carrying a large stock of general merchandise. His father was born in Hanover, Germany, finished his theological studies at New Bergholz, HY and came in 1868 to preach for St. Paul's Church. He later went to Sheboygan to preach. I am curious about the origin and age of the furniture piece. Any help is appreciated. -- Regards, Harold A Ralston Racine, Wisconsin, USA