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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     JOHN R. HILL.  One of the successful fruit growers of Lincoln county residing at Peach, who came west with limited means, and who now enjoys easy circumstances, is John R. Hill, born May 17, 1855, in Benton county, Missouri.  When a young man, his father, William B., a native of Tennessee, went to Missouri, where he served three years in the Civil War.  He afterward removed to Briscoe county, Texas, where he engaged in the stock business.  He died in his Texas home, April, 1901, aged sixty-seven years.  The mother, Brunette (Dickerson) Hill, was born in Tennessee and died in Missouri.  Mr. Hill is the second in a family of eight children, namely, Mrs. Mary E. Wainwright, who died in Wilbur, Washington, Mrs. Minerva Doak, James R., Mrs. Laura Brooks, deceased, Mrs. Loretta Cheser, Robert M. and Mrs. Nora Knox.
     John R. Hill grew to manhood on a farm, learned the carpenter's trade, and received his education in an old time log school house.  During the war the family was subject to raids by soldiers and danger from bushwhackers.
     On March 9, 1876, John R. Hill was married to Alice E. Thompson, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, February 21, 1858.  Her father, John W. Thompson, a native of New York state, removed to Ohio in pioneer days, and thence, in 1868, to Benton county, Missouri, where he lived until his death in July, 1872.  Her mother Anna S. (Dark) Thompson, a native of Wilkshire, England, came to the United States when eleven years of age.  After the death of her husband she came to Lincoln county, and died at Wilbur in 1892.  Mrs. Hill's brothers and sisters are: William, who served in the federal army, first as a drummer boy and later as a regular soldier; Mrs. Amy J. Smith, Alfred J., Mrs. Nellie Fancher, Henry M., and Harl D.  One brother, Samuel, died in the army during the Rebellion.
     In the spring of 1884 Mr. and Mrs. Hill came to Deep creek, Spokane county, and two years later they took up a homestead near Wilbur.  At that time settlers were few, and for two years only two women were in that vicinity.  While at Wilbur Mr. Hill improved his ranch, worked at his trade of carpentering and handled lumber.  In 1896 Hr. Hill bought his present home of seventeen acres, moving onto it in the spring of 1898.  This land, upon which he has a pleasant home, is one of the best locations in the valley of the Columbia, and has the advantage of irrigation.  Ten acres of it is in fruits, to the raising of which Mr. Hill devotes his time exclusively.
     Mr. and Mrs. Hill have five children living: William T., a prosperous farmer; James A., a fruit grower; Nellie M., wife of Roque Uribe; Henry C., and Homer, both fruit growers.  All are living at Peach.  One son, Charles E., died January 15, 1904, aged fourteen years.
     Mr. Hill is a member of the Loyal Americans; and both he and wife are members of the Methodist church, South.
 


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