Jonathan Boone Hillard, Sr. was the son of Nancy Jane McMillan (1808-1885) and John Hillard (1793-1851). He was actually born on April 14, 1831 although his headstone incorrectly shows 1829.

On June 17, 1861, Jonathan and Catharine Logue (1837-1904) were married at Catharine's parents home located at 18 West in West Freedom, Perry Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, by Harrison W. 'Harry' Jordan, Esq.
Children:
• George Edwin (1861-1950) •
• James H. 'Jimmy' (1862-1863)
• Jonathan Boone, Jr (1864-1947)
• Dr. Thomas Robb (1866-1919)
• Susanna Anna 'Annie' (1868-1951)
• Jeannette 'Jennie' (1870-1942)
• Frederick Warren 'Fred' (1872-1960)
• Catharine Mary (1874-1950)
• Elizabeth Amy 'Lizzy' (1878-1968)

During the Civil War, he served in Company H, 'St. Clair Guards', 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, from July 16, 1863 through July 3, 1864, Company E, 155th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment from July 6, 1864 through June 2, 1865, and Company F, 191st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment from June 2, 1865 through June 28, 1865. He fought in the same Company and Regiment as his brother, John McMillan Hillard during the entire Civil War. They both participated in numerous battles in Virginia including Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania Courthouse, North Anna, Paunkey Creek, Totopotomoy Creek, Shady Grove Road, Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church. He was wounded at Spindle's Clearing, Laurel Hill, near Spotsylvania Courthouse on May 12, 1864. The 1890 Veterans Schedule census shows "Part of index finger of right hand shot off". He also served at Petersburg at the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad, Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad near Globe Tavern, Peebles' Farm, Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, Lewis's Farm, White Oak Road, Five Forks, and Appomattox Courthouse. He took part in the formal surrender of arms and battle flags by General Lee's Confederate troops on April 12, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. The 155th Pennsylvania Regiment stood directly in front of the Wilmer McLean house during the surrender of arms. He later marched in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., on May 23, 1865 and was discharged on June 28, 1865 at Arlington Heights, Virginia, after having served 1 year, 11 months and 8 days.

In his biography published in "20th. Century History of Butler County and Representative Citizens" edited and compiled by James A. McKee, it states he was "five times wounded". I have copies of his muster cards for both the 62nd and 155th and only find mention of his wound on May 12, 1864 during the battle of The Wilderness.

He applied for a Civil War Pension on February 20, 1907 under the Civil War Pension Act of February 6, 1907 and was awarded $27.00 per month. The application shows he was five feet seven inches tall, fair complexion, light eyes, and had light hair. The later Civil War Pension Act of May 1, 1920 provided him with a pension of $50.00 and on May 7, 1925 his pension was increased to $72.00 per month due to the persistence of his daughter, Jennie Corbett, who stated he was "crippled or lame of one foot".

His obituary, with his name misspelled, was published on page 3, in the Butler Eagle, on July 12, 1926:

CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES AT 97 YEARS
Jonathan B. Hilliard, Near Eau Claire, Believed Oldest Soldier in County
Jonathan B. Hilliard, aged 97, believed to be the oldest Civil War veteran in Butler County, died last Monday at his home near Eau Claire from old age.

Mr. Hilliard saw several years service in the Civil war. It was just before his call to war that he accepted the call to the alter, as he was married to Catherine Logue on June 17, 1861, at West Freedom, Pa. His wife died November 3, 1904.
Mr. Hilliard was born near Eau Claire, April 14, 1829. He lived in the vicinity of this town during almost all his life.

He is survived by seven children: Edwin Hilliard, Sebastopol, Cal.; Jonathan B. Hilliard Jr., Verona, Pa.; Mrs. Annie Brown, San Francisco, Cal.; Mrs. Jennie Corbett, Eau Claire; Fred W. Hilliard, Verona, PA.; Miss Mary Hilliard, Eau Claire, and Mrs. Lizzie Kohlmeyer, Eau Claire. He is survived by twenty-two grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In the fall of 2002, my wife and I traveled to each battle field where Jonathan Boone and his brother, John McMillan, had participated during the Civil War. It was a very emotional experience to stand in the same revetments where they had huddled down for protection, and to see the actual location where each of them had been wounded in May 1864.