For some years Mr. Hill has been a prominent factor in the business
circles of Grand Ridge, and at the present writing he is the popular and
efficient mayor of the city, who, in his control of municipal affairs,
follows a wise and progressive policy, resulting greatly to the benefit of
the community which he thus officially represents. He is an enterprising
man, loyal citizen, and at all times loyal and reliable in the discharge of
the trusts and responsibilities devolving upon him.
A native of
Maine, Mr. Hill was born in Augusta, a son of John and Oral (Sutherland)
Hill, who had seven children, three sons and four daughters. The father, who
was the proprietor of a shoe store, removed to Bement, Illinois, and thence
to Streator, this state, where for a number of years he was successfully
engaged in dealing in shoes. Mr. Hill accompanied his parents to Illinois,
and under the parental roof spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He
acquired a good education, well fitting him for the practical and
responsible duties of life, and after attaining his majority he was engaged
in business in Dana, Illinois, where he dealt in fruit for five years. On
the expiration of that period he came to Grand Ridge and purchased of A. K.
Knott & Company, of Ottawa, his present grain and coal business. Here he is
enjoying a liberal patronage, which is steadily increasing. He has a very
large elevator with a capacity of six hundred thousand bushels of grain; and
as Grand Ridge is located in the center of a rich farming district he
carries on an extensive business, deriving therefrom a good income and at
the same time furnishing an excellent market for the grain producers of this
region.
In 1894, in Morris, Grundy county, Illinois, Mr. Hill was
united in marriage to Miss Martha Lindsay, a lady of superior education and
culture. She was graduated in the State Normal School, and for some years
prior to her marriage was a successful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have two
children. May and Oral. The parents are members of the Methodist church and
are numbered among the most prominent people of Grand Ridge, occupying a
leading position in social circles and enjoying the hospitality of many of
the best homes. In his political affiliations Mr. Hill is a Republican, and
on that ticket was elected to the office which he is now filling so
creditably to himself and satisfactorily to his constituents. Socially he is
connected with several fraternal organizations. He is a Royal Arch Mason,
and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights
of Pythias fraternity. In manner he is frank and cordial, entirely free from
ostentation and display, but his genuine worth at all times commands respect
and in the community he has many warm friends.
Extracted 13 Jun 2019 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 631-632.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
 |
Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
