Samuel Johnson Hilburn

Samuel Johnson Hilburn (May 30, 1869 – September 27, 1943) was a lawyer and state legislator in Florida. He served in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate.

Early and personal life and education He was born May 30, 1869, in Gainesville, Arkansas, and spent his early life on a farm. Hilburn's brother was Rev. J. P. Hilburn.

After high school he went on to obtain a teaching certificate and taught for three years before enrolling at Centenary College.

Hilburn bought the home built and owned by Marcus Loeb, who relocated to Atlanta.

Hilbert was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in early 1909 and took his seat when the session started on April 5, 1909, representing Putnam County. While in the house he was noted for his support for state wide prohibition. He had not been serving long before he was being urged to run for congress and challenge the sitting congressman Frank Clark, and the rumours persisted for months with Hilburn refusing to commit. In October he finally declared that he would not run due to his law firm partner falling seriously sick and Hilburn having to "do the work of two men".

After serving one term in the house he then was elected to serve in the state senate in 1911. He resigned from his seat in the senate to run for congress but lost by 384 votes of around 25,000 cast. He served until 1934 when he lost to H. S. McKenzie.

In 1915 he was appointed by Governor Holland to be a judge in the new circuit court. However the Florida Supreme Court took a case about his circuit judgeship and whether it was constitutional and invalidated the act before he heard any cases.

He was involved in a tax dispute. He was appointed to be a member of the Florida racing commission by Governor Fred P. Cone and re-appointed by his successor Spessard Holland. He donated 80 acres to Southern College in Sutherland, Florida, predecessor of Florida Southern College. He was attacked by a wild turkey as he prepared to butcher a turkey hen outside his home. He owned substantial property.

Death Hilburn bought the home built and owned by Marcus Loeb who relocated to Atlanta, it is extant. He is buried in the West View Cemetery in Palatkas.