Clatsop County Oregon Biographies

" A wide-awake, hard working and skillful farmer, William Hartill occupied a place of importance among the more intelligent and prosperous agriculturists of Clatsop county, his well appointed farm lying about twelve miles south of Astoria, on the Lewis & Clark river. An able business man, noted for his integrity and upright dealings, he is held in high regard throughout the community, respected and esteemed by all. A native of England, he was born September 5,1853, in Grantham, Lincolinshire, a son of William Hartill, Sr.
      William Hartill, Sr., was born in Stafford shire, England, in 1820, and is now a resident of Yorkshire, England, making his home with one of his daughters. He learned the trade of nail maker when young, and following it during his active career. His wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Falkner was born in Grantham, Lincolinshire, England, moved to Boston, Lincolinshire, after her marriage, going from there to Yorkshire, where she died at the age of fifty seven years.   Of their ten children, but three are now living, namely: Mary Jane, wife of Joseph Baldwin of Yorkshire, England; Helen, wife of John Long, also of Yorkshire; and William, the subject of this brief personal notice.
     The fourth child in order of birth of his parents, William Hartill acquired a common school education in his native town,. and as a youth worked for a short time in a woolen mill. At the age of eighteen years he started in life for himself. Crossing the broad Atlantic in a Boston-bound steamer, he subsequently located in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, where he lived four years, being first employed on a farm and later in the coal mines. Crossing the country by rail to the Pacific coast in 1875, he was engaged in coal mining in California for three years. Coming to Clatsop County in 1878, Mr. Hartill located near Seaside, on the Neanicum river and three years later in 1880, bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty-one acres, on the Lewis & Clark river, south of Astoria, about twelve miles. He has since labored with unremitting industry, adding the greater number of the improvements that have been made, having now one of the most attractive and desirable farming estates of the neighborhood. He makes a specialty of dairying and cheese manufacturing, keeping about thirty-five cows and has built up a thriving and extensive business in this line.
     June 20, 1874, in Pittsburgh, PA., Mr. Hartill married Abigail Roberts who was born March 4, 1855, in Caerphilly, Wales, and came with her parents to Pennsylvania in 1873. Seven children were born to their union, namely: Mary Ellen, wife of Benjamin S. Olson, of Bucoda, Wash.; George Robert, deceased; Caroline, Wife of John Tyberg, whose farm adjoins that of Mr. Hartill; William Charles; George Edward; Philip, deceased; and Floratine A. A stanch Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Hartill evinces a warm interest in local affairs, and has served acceptably as school director, and as road supervisor.   Fraternally he is a member of Clamix Lodge No. 475, W.O.W., of Astoria, and Mrs. Hartill belongs to the circle."
     This article above is taken from the "Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon". This was published in 1904 and was typed exactly as written.