The early life of W.A. Hillhouse is woven with the story of the Hillhouse family related in the preceding chapters. He is a prominent citizen and the present efficient postmaster of Glasco. He is a native of Scotland, born at Lenarkshire in 1854, and a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hillhouse. He was educated in the common schools of Missouri and Kansas and began his career farming; took up a homestead in the Solomon valley, where he lived until 1885, when he became associated with his father and J.E. Olmstead, Sr., in the grain business, and built an elevator. At the expiration of one year Mr. Olmstead retired from the business and the firm was continued by the father and son until the death of the former in 1892. Mr. Hillhouse continued the business alone until 1897, when he was appointed postmaster of Glasco.

He was married in 1883 to Vira McCullough, a daughter of James T. McCullough, who died April 5, 1885. Mr. McCullough was born near Athens, Ohio, December 14, 1820. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Mr. McCullough was married to Mary G. Brown January 29, 1843, and moved to Marshall county, Iowa, in 1864, where he followed blacksmithing. Mrs. Hillhouse is one of twelve children, eight of whom are living: James and Robert, of Iowa; Mrs. Joe Olmstead, of Glasco; Mrs. Oscar Hillan, John, William and Oscar. Mrs. McCullough died February 9, 1878, and the father with his family moved to Cloud county, Kansas, in 1879. In 1881 he was married to Mrs. A. Patrick, who survives him. Mr. McCullough was a good man, faithful in the discharge of his duties and had been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Hillhouse have one daughter, Nellie, a graduate of the Glasco high school, class of 1901. She is a qualified assistant in the postoffice and thoroughly competent in that capacity. Mrs. Hillhouse is also registered in the postoffice department.

Mr. Hillhouse is a Republican and has figured conspicuously in the political arena of Cloud county. He served four years as deputy sheriff of the county, under John D. Wilson two years, 1880-1, and under a brother, Daniel Wilson, two years, 1882-3. Mr. Hillhouse has served three terms as mayor of the city of Glasco and at various times as member of the city council. Has been a Mason for twelve years and has occupied the chair as master of Glasco lodge; is an Odd Fellow, having been a prominent member of the order for twenty-four years and helped to organize the lodge at Glasco. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen, Royal Neighbors, Fraternal Aid and Sons of Veterans.