His father, Theodore Erasmus Hilgard, was for many years Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals, but on account of his liberal opinions was so dissatisfied with conditions in his native country that in 1835 he emigrated to America. The journey from his native place to Havre was made in wagons. After a voyage of 62 days, the family landed at New Orleans at Christmas, and journeyed up the Mississippi to St. Louis, and thence to a farm at Belleville, Illinois.
His father, Theodore Erasmus Hilgard, served as Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals for many years but was dissatisfied with his native country's conditions and emigrated to America in 1835. The journey from his home to Havre was made by wagon. After a voyage of 62 days, the family arrived at New Orleans on Christmas Day and traveled up the Mississippi River to St. Louis before settling on a farm in Belleville, Illinois.