Three Tillman brothers Arrived in U.S.A. in 1849. came to New Orleans from Arnsberg Stadt, Westfalen Prussia. They were sons of Joannes Henricus Tillman .
Why New Orleans as they were well financed? Could it be to visit relatives before settling down.
The three went to Vicksburg, Miss where eldest brother, William started up a business with livery stable, harness making and leather business. The other two decided the lure of the California Gold was the thing for them and off they went to the gold fields.
Francis Joseph make $5000.00 but got sick, almost died, used all of his money on getting well and came to San Francisco and founded the first Safe Manufacturing Company. He became a well documented pioneer as per "History of San Francisco Bay Region" by Bailey Millard History and biography Volume III, published by The American Historical Society, Inc. 1924. (Chicago - San Francisco - New York)
His brother, William in Vicksburg had a similar success story and you can view his business by logging onto
http://www.oldcourthouse.org/APhotographicTour.htm.
I was just wondering if yiu knew if the Martin H. Tillman group is related?