Extracted from Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 375-376
William Hill was born in Rutland county, Vermont, in 1783, and came to Prophetstown in 1835. He came all the way from Vermont with teams, and was two months on the road, arriving at Prophetstown in the fall. He was a carpenter and wheelwright by trade, but became a successful farmer. His large family of sons were nearly grown up when he came, and they immediately made claims along what is now Washington street. Coming from New England, he appreciated the importance of schools, and the next year after his arrival succeeded in having a log school house built, which was used until 1841. This was the first school house in Prophetstown. Mr. Hill married Miss Susan Baker. Their children have been: J. Sullivan, who married Miss Rachel Belden, and lives in Prophetstown; Almira, who married J. Colin Southard, and is now dead; John, now dead; William, who married Miss Ann Smith, and lives in Prophetstown; Ezra, who married Miss Jane Underhill and lives in Prophetstown; Fordyce, who married Miss Polly Wall, and lives in Prophetstown; and Joseph, who married Miss Martha Reynolds, and also lives in Prophetstown, Mr. Hill died in 1846, and Mrs. Hill in 1876. The Hill family have lived in Prophetstown since their arrival from the East. William lives on his valuable farm, and has done much to improve the breed of sheep, cattle, and hogs in the county. He has lately introduced the Holstein cattle, so celebrated for their dairying qualities. Among the public positions held by him have been those of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace of the township. Joseph has also acquired a large competency by farming, and owns perhaps the finest farm in the town. During the present year, 1877, he has tried the experiment of tile draining, having laid about a mile of tiles. Ezra lives on Washington street, and has a fine farm, devoting his attention principally to raising hogs, in which he has been very successful.
William Hill, one of the leading farmers in Whiteside County, residing on section 5, Prophetstown Township, has 380 acres of land on sections 5 and 8. He is a son of William and Susan (Baker) Hill, and was born in Hubbardton, Rutland Co., Vt., Sept. 30, 1819. His father was a farmer by occupation, but was an experienced carpenter and joiner and wheelwright. Both his parents were natives of Massachusetts, and were the parents of seven children, all of whom grew to man's estate, and four of whom are now living. The eldest of the family now living is William, the subject of this sketch. Ezra is a farmer, residing in Prophetstown Township; Fordyce and Joseph W. both reside in Prophetstown. Mr. Hill's father, with his family, left Vermont Sept. 9, 1835, and emigrated to this county with a team, being two months on the road.
Mr. Hill was reared on a farm, receiving only the
advantages in the way of an education that the common schools of the neighborhood afforded. On
reaching the age of 21 he went out into the world
to battle with fickle fortune. He went north to
the State of Wisconsin, where for five years he engaged in lumbering, part of the time working by
the month, and for a while engaged in contracting on his own responsibility. In 1845 he left the
pineries, and came to Whiteside County. Prior to
that date, however, about 1838, he made a claim of
100 acres in Prophetstown Township, on what is now the Luther McKenzie farm. When it came
into market, however, he was only able to obtain a deed for 40 acres of it. His brother, John, had made
a claim of a quarter-section, where our subject now resides, but died before the land was put upon the
market by the Government. Mr. Hill bought this claim for $200, to which he has since added until
he now has 380 acres, under excellent cultivation. He has erected upon it a fine residence, costing
$3,000, and added a number of improvements, which makes it one of the most valuable and conveniently arranged farms in the township.
While engaged in general agriculture, Mr. Hill has made a specialty of raising Holstein cattle. He
carried on his farm himself until 1877, when he rented it to his son, Mallory S., who now resides
upon it. Mr. Hill yet, however, retains a half interest in the stock. They have about 40 head of
graded Holstein cattle, and one full-blooded registered bull, John G. For a number of years they
have also given special attention to raising Merino sheep.
While never seeking political positions, Mr. Hill
has been called upon by his fellow townsmen to
represent the township in the Board of Supervisors, and also serve as Justice of the Peace, which latter
position he has held for two terms. For several years he has also served as Township Trustee. He
is also one of the originators of the Prophetstown Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, of which
he has been a Director since its organization, and President ever since, except one year.
Mr. Hill was married in Prophetstown Township,
May 6, 1846 to Miss Ann L., daughter of Harry and Ursula Smith. She was horn in Castleton, Rutland
Co., Vt., Sept. 21, 1827. To them have been born eight children, five of whom are living: Hester is the
wife of Edgar S. Bentley, harnessmaker of Prophetstown; John Q., farmer in Prophetstown Township;
Leroy, engaged in farming at Canton, McPherson Co., Kan.; Truman, deceased; Mallory S., now residing on his father's farm; Stella A. wife of Frank
Johns, farmer of Prophetstown Township; two others died in infancy.
As a leading citizen, not only of his township, but of Whiteside County the publishers take pleasure in
presenting Mr. Hills portrait among those of the representative citizens of this county in this album.
Portraits and Biographical
