From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"Mr. Charles Hillmer was born in Harlem forty-four years ago, in 1862. Not only he, but his father and mother have been prominently identified with the Village since its very beginning. His father, Henry Hillmer, was a carpenter and built the first house in Harlem; he was eighty-two years old when he died, and had lived in the village about fifty years. His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Hillmer, was know not only to the people of Harlem but also to the adjoining villages. She was born in Germany and came to Harlem in 1855. She studied medicine in her native country. As there were no doctors in this section in these early times, she was called upon day and night to administer to the sick. She was kind-hearted and charitable to the poor, and often served them without compensation. She died in 1886.
"The subject of our sketch attended the Harlem public schools. When young he learned the carpenter's trade, and is now associated with this brother, August, the style of the firm being Hillmer Bros., established 24 years. They are probably the largest building contractors, not only in Harlem, but their business extends to Oak Park, River Forest, Maywood and Austin. They have built some of the largest buildings in those towns.
"Mr. Charles Hillmer, being a man active in public affairs, served the village as trustee for seven terms, being elected first in 1894. The confidence reposed in him by his townsmen is shown by his long years of service. His record as a public servant has been clean and productive of great good. He was married in 1887 to Miss Emma Schoff, whose parents also were old settlers. They have three children -- Ella, Hulda and Martha. They live in a beautiful home at 118 N. Elgin St., which is also the location of the office of Hillmer Bros."
See also August Hillmer.