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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.
JAMES H. HILL. There is
no mistaking the popularity of the subject of this article, in Douglas
county. In 1894, his name appeared on the Republican ticket, for
treasurer of the county, and he was one of four on the ticket who were
elected. His majority was general and expected by everybody in the
county. He made a most excellent and reliable officer and pleased
his supporters in every respect. He now has a farm of over one section
in the vicinity of Hartline, well stocked and under cultivation, to the
management of which he gives his attention, largely. In addition
to this Mr. Hill has been engaged in business with Mr. J. W. McDonald for
years.
James H. Hill was born in Spring Green, Wisconsin,
on September 24, 1860, the son of Thomas and Margaret (Mort) Hill, natives
of England and pioneers to Wisconsin in 1854. Like the balance of
the American youth, our subject received the bulk of his education in the
public schools, finishing the same in the high school, and in the business
college at Keokuk, Iowa. Being thus well fortified for business life,
he came west in 1887, took a pre-emption and later a homestead, which are
part of his present estate. He immediately and wisely added by purchase
until he has one of the finest estates in this section, and which is in
a very high state of cultivation, producing annually in excellent abundance.
When Mr. Hill first located here he was without financial means but is
now one of the most prosperous men of the section. In 1892, he was
elected justice of the peace and later was re-elected but refused to qualify
the second time. Following his retirement from the treasury of Douglas
county, Mr. Hill returned to his farm and continued steadily in this ever
since. He has four brothers, Thomas, John, William, Charles, and
one sister, Mrs. Mary East, who died recently at Waterville.
At Spring Green, Wisconsin, on February 19,
1884, Mr. Hill married Miss Susie, daughter of Joseph and Christine (Schmitt)
Schmitz, natives of Germany. Mrs. Hill was born in Wisconsin, in
August, 1862, and has one brother, John, and six sisters, Mrs. Catherine
Rick, Mrs. Emma Greenhick, Mrs. Celine Weidenfeld, Mrs. Gertrude Elder,
Mrs. Maggie Greenhick, and Mrs. Hellen Greenhick. To Mr. and Mrs.
Hill, one child, Carl J., was born in Douglas county, on April 9, 1902.
On December 12, of the same year, they were called upon to mourn his death.
Mr. and Mrs. Hill are not members of any denomination but have been brought
up under the influence of the Congregational church and are upright andw
reliable people.
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