Oliver and Amanda (Smalley) Hill

Oliver HILL was born on 20 November 1852 in Tyrone County, Ireland the third son of William HILL and Margaret MCCLINTOCK. He died on 7 June 1924 in Anaheim, Orange, California from lymphatic leukemia and was buried on 10 June 1924 in Anaheim, Orange, California. Oliver immigrated to the United States in 1873.

He was married in 1908 to Amanda SMALLEY, the daughter of John SMALLEY and Susan BROWN. Amanda was born on 19 December 1853 in Clear Creek, Johnson, Iowa. She died on 9 September 1941 in Anaheim, Orange, California. Amanda originally married Hugh MCWILLIAMS in 1874 in Iowa where they had two daughters, Edna born in August 1883 and Nona born in August 1885, both in English River, Keokuk, Iowa.

While I haven’t been able to find a biography yet for Oliver, here are some news clippings about him from the Anaheim Gazette.

January 16, 1913 edition - Oliver Hill is entitled to take his place at the head of local weather prophets. He predicted Thursday and Friday’s rain several days before its appearance, when not another man in the neighborhood saw any indications of rain at all. Whenever Oliver predicts rain it comes, and that’s all there is about it.


February 6, 1913 edition - The horse and buggy that disappeared from the home place of R. H. English, street superintendent of Santa Ana, on Friday evening last was found Saturday at Oliver Hill’s livery stable. A Mexican took the horse and vehicle into the barn early Saturday morning, saying he had found them on the streets of Anaheim. The horse was wet with sweat when it was delivered to the Hill barn.

February 20, 1913 edition - Oliver Hill declared on Tuesday that rain would fall within a day or two, and yesterday morning Jupiter Pluvius made ready to get down on the job.

Author’s note. Jupiter Pluvius – an epithet of Jupiter meaning "sender of rain".

May 1, 1913 edition - Oliver Hill has sold the City Livery Stables, which he has conducted for some years past, to W. S. McFarlane, who will hereafter be in charge of the business. Mr. Hill will enjoy a vacation for some weeks, and plans later in the summer to visit his old home in Ireland. Mr. McFarlane is well known about the town and county and in his new location will doubtless make a success of the business. The new owner will improve the service, and make additions to the equipment of the stable, and will endeavor to keep it up as one of the best liveries in the county.

March 17, 2016 – Great Grandpa William J. Hill’s Prayer Book

This photo is of the inside cover of William J. Hill’s Church of England Prayer Book. Since the title page of this book is missing, I suspect that it was printed in the 1850s or early 1860s. It shows that William left Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, Ireland on April 27, 1866 and arrived in New York on May 17, 1866. From there he traveled to San Francisco arriving on June 16, 1866 where he worked for two years at the Risdon Iron Works. On November 12, 1868, William arrived in Anaheim where he purchased 80 acres of land for $10 an acre. See his bio and obit for more information. The provenance of this prayer book is William J. Hill, at his death Blanche Spielman Hill (wife), at her death Edith Ella Hill Harmon (daughter), given to Edith Lucena McLeod Lotz (daughter), and at her death Martin William Otto Collett, Jr. (nephew and Great Grandson of William J. Hill).

Obituary of Blanche Lucinda Spielman Hill

This drawing of Blanche Hill was done in 1899.


MRS. BLANCHE L. HILL DIES OF HEART FAILURE

Passes Away Suddenly at Ranch Home West of City Saturday Morning

Mrs. Blanche L. Hill, widow of the late W. J. Hill, died at her ranch home in West Anaheim on Saturday morning at 5:55 o’clock from heart disease. On the preceding Monday she underwent a surgical operation for throat trouble. An affection of the heart from which she had suffered for some time developed complications of serious disorders, and although everything was done to save her life, she passed away as stated. Mrs. Hill is survived by a family of 12 children, four of whom were children of Mr. Hill’s first wife. Funeral services were held on Monday at noon. The body was brought to the Episcopal church in this city, of which deceased had been a member, and burial services were conducted there by Rev. Juny, who was called from Escondido to officiate at the services. Many friends of the deceased were present to pay their last tribute of respect to her memory.

Mrs. Hill was a native of Maryland and was in her 43rd year. She was held in high esteem by those with whom she came in contact and her death is cause for regret on the part of many friends.

Mr. Hill died at the family home July 30 last, following a long illness. He left an estate valued at $75,000. Upon his death a contest ensued in the courts between his widow and the four children of his former wife. Mrs. Hill was appointed administratrix of the estate. It is probable that Robert Hill will apply for letters of administration upon the estate.

Anaheim Gazette, March 27, 1913

Obituary of Sarah Spielman & Photo

This photo was taken in the late 1880s at the Tule Ranch in the Berryessa Valley, Napa County, California. Standing are Ella and Harry Spielman and Charlie Cablou. Sitting are Sarah and Lawson Spielman.

Mrs. S. A. Spielman of West Anaheim died at Patton on Saturday after a lingering illness due to the infirmaties of old age. The body was returned to this city for burial, and the interment occurred on Sunday afternoon. Decreased has long been a resident of this section and was held in high esteem by those who knew her. She was the mother of Mrs. W. J. Hill, and she leaves other married daughters, living here and in Los Angeles, and a grown son at home. Her husand preceded her to her eternal rest some two years ago.

Anaheim Gazette, November 2, 1905

Obituary of Lawson Spielman & Photo

This photo of Blanche Lucinda Spielman with her parents, Lawson Spielman and Sarah Hathaway Spielman, was taken in the late 1880s in Northern California before Blanche left home.

AT ROLL CALL, NO REPLY

An Honored Veteran, In Full Flush of Apparent Health, Lays Down Heavily and Falls Asleep

Lawson W. Spielman, an old and highly esteemed resident of this section, died suddenly at his home in West Anaheim, on Monday afternoon, at 5 o’clock of heart failure. Mr. Spielman had been in his usual health up to a day or two of his death, and had made arrangements to go to Los Angeles on Tuesday. On Monday afternoon he was not so well, and lay down for a rest. His wife sat beside him, when, at 5 o’clock, he breathed his last without a struggle. Physicians were immediately summoned, but life was found to be extinct.

Mr. Spielman had resided here for some eight years, coming from the northern part of the state, where he lived for many years. He was a native of Maryland, and was in his sixty-fifth year. He leaves a wife and several grown-up children to mourn his loss.

He was an enthusiastic grand army man, and participated in the four years’ struggle between the states. He was a prominent figure at the recent Memorial day exercises at the cemetery, and could have given little thought to the fact that of all those gathered there, he was marked as the one whose name was to be first called by the recording angel at the eternal summons on high.

He enlisted first in Company B, 126th Pennsylvania regiment, under Captain W. H. Davison, served nine months in the infantry. He was in Hunter’s raid four days and four nights without food or water; was in the reserve at South Mountain, Chancellorsville and Antietam fight, and re-enlisted under Captain J. C. Paine’s detachment of the signal corps, of the United States army to serve five years. In consequence of orders of the war department was honorably discharged in three years as a good and faithful soldier.

After the war he, with his family, moved to Berryessa valley, Napa county, California, where he resided for 28 years on Tule ranch, where he was engaged in cattle raising and orchard and vineyard culture. He then moved to Southern California where he has since resided.

Deceased leaves a wife and son and four daughters, namely, Harry G. Spielman, Mrs. W. Hill, Mrs. J. Shearer, Mrs. Craddock and Mrs. J. N. Hack to mourn his departure. He was a loving husband and a kind and devoted father. Let him rest in peace, sweet peace.

When his name is again called at the roll there will be no reply. A gallant old soldier has gone to his reward. Peace to his ashes.

Anaheim Weekly Gazette, Thursday, June 25, 1903

Thomas Hill -- Wife and Children

This narrative covers the births, marriages and deaths of Thomas Hill, his wife Sarah and three children and Thomas’ biography.

Thomas HILL was born on 13 August 1858 in Tyrone County, Ireland the fifth son of William HILL and Margaret MCCLINTOCK. He died on 19 May 1942 in Orange County, California and was buried on 22 May 1942 in Anaheim, Orange, California. Thomas immigrated to the United States in 1882 and was naturalized in Los Angeles, California on 21 August 1913 based on Vol 50, Page 190.

Thomas married Sarah TAIT, daughter of George TAIT and Matilda MATHEWSON, on 10 January 1889 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sarah was born on 27 January 1859 in Ireland. She died on 11 July 1948 in Orange County, California and was buried 14 July 1948 in Anaheim, Orange, California. They had the following children:

i. Matilda HILL was born on 19 December 1889 in Westminster, Orange, California. She died on 28 June 1976 in Riverside, California and was buried on 2 July 1976 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

ii. William G. HILL was born on 8 March 1894 in Westminster, Orange, California. He died on 21 August 1974 in Riverside, California and was buried on 23 August 1974 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

iii. Margaret Elizabeth HILL was born on 18 September 1898 in Westminster, Orange, California. She died on 11 April 1950 in Orange, California and was buried on 14 April 1950 in Anaheim, Orange, California.


An article from the November 28, 1912 edition of the Anaheim Gazette stated, “Councilman Tom Hill, of Stanton, was in town Tuesday morning bringing in a number of the finest turkeys seen here this season. Tom makes a specialty of making fine birds and the present year’s crop maintains the usual high standard of excellence characterizing the Hill ranch.


The biography of Thomas Hill is also provided in this blog entry.

THOMAS HILL -- One of the most highly esteemed citizens of Stanton, Orange County, is Thomas Hill, who has been a resident of that section of the county for thirty years. Mr. Hill is a native of Ireland, born in 1858, the son of William and Margaret Hill, whose family consisted of seven sons and one daughter, five of whom emigrated to the United States.

Thomas Hill came to Orange County in 1883 and since that time has witnessed many marvelous changes and developments. He is the owner of sixty acres of fine land which he devotes to general farming. This land was in its primitive state when Mr. Hill purchased it, but after years of hard work and close attention to its special needs he has brought it up to a high state of development, and has installed many modern improvements for the operation of his ranch as well as for the comfort and convenience of his cozy home. He is regarded as one of the most progressive ranchers of his community, a man of strict integrity and probity of character, well known for his patriotism. It is a recognized fact that many of the natives of the Emerald Isle are counted among the best and most loyal citizens of the United States, being friends of education and enlightenment.

In 1888 Mr. Hill was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Tait, also a native of Ireland, and the daughter of George and Matilda Tait. Of this union three children were born: Matilda, who is a graduate of the State Normal School; William and Margaret E. The family is members of the Episcopal Church and Mr. Hill is a Mason, a member of the Buena Park Lodge No. 537, F. & A. M. For six years he has held the office of trustee of the city of Stanton and has been an efficient member of the school board for eight years.

History of Orange County California with Biographical Sketches, Page 481, 1921.


The photo of Thomas was taken by E.W. Pierce whose studio was on Temple Block in Los Angeles, California, and the photo of Sarah was taken at the Dunshee studio located at 1330 Chestnut St (opposite the U.S. Mint) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A special thanks to our cousins Diane and Cathy for contributing the photos and marriage certificate for this entry.

Combine and Wagons Photograph by R. H. Gardiner

Here is another photograph taken by Roswell Harry Gardiner. During a recent visit to the Sacramento area, Diane Dolley, a great-granddaughter of Samuel Hill, gave me this photo of a push combine and three receiving wagons. We do not know who owned these outfits but they would have been used to support William Hill's treshing machine operation.

Harry & Mary (Smith) Spielman & Daughters

This photo of Harry & Mary Spielman and their daughters, Ann born in 1912 and Marjorie born in 1914, was probably taken in late 1916. The photo is signed by Tudson.

Lawson Wolf Spielman Family

This narrative covers the births, marriages and deaths of Lawson Wolf Spielman, his wife and seven of his nine children. The above drawing is believed to be from their wedding photo.

Lawson Wolf SPIELMAN was born on 12 August 1837 in Washington, Maryland the oldest son of John SPIELMAN Jr and Sophia WOLF. He died on 22 June 1903 in Anaheim, Orange, California from heart failure and was buried on 24 June 1903 in Anaheim, Orange, California. Lawson married Sarah A.B. (Annie Rose) HATHAWAY, the only child of Joshua Thomas HATHAWAY and Lucinda BETERBENNER, on 26 July 1860 in the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Zion Church at Frederick, Maryland. Sarah was born on 10 April 1841 in Washington, Maryland and died on 28 October 1905 in Anaheim, Orange, California of heart disease. She was buried 29 October 1905 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

The 1900 Census California, Orange, Anaheim, District 140, Sheet 12, states that Sarah had 9 children and that 7 were still living. Here are the names of their living children:

i. Anna Rosa SPIELMAN was born in May 1861 in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland and died on 20 November 1909 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. She married John Nicholas HACK on 20 October 1879 in Monticello, Napa, California. John was born in October 1839 in Germany.

ii. Jennie L. SPIELMAN was born January 1867 in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland. She married Alfred W. VON SCHMIDT on 3 September 1884 in the Berryessa Valley, Napa, California. Alfred was born in August 1858 in California and was the son of Alexey Waldemer VON SCHMIDT and Frances MOTT.

iii. John Edward or Frank SPIELMAN was born in February 1869 in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland. He died in May 1901 in Orange, California and was buried on 11 May 1901 in Anaheim, Orange, California. He married Frances STANLEY on 11 July 1894 in Lower Lake, Lake, California. Frances was born on 28 December 1874 in Missouri and died on 19 November 1937 in Lakeport, Lake, California.

iv. Blanche Lucinda SPIELMAN was born 12 March 1870 in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland. She died 22 March 1913 in Anaheim, Orange, California and was buried 24 March 1913 in Anaheim, Orange, California. She married William John HILL on 11 March 1891 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. William John HILL, the oldest son of son of William HILL and Margaret MCCLINTOCK, was born on 30 May 1848 in Tyrone County, Ireland. He died on 30 July 1912 in Anaheim, Orange, California and was buried on 31 July 1912 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

v. Bessie S. or Bird SPIELMAN was born on 30 January 1872 in Napa, California and died on 20 September 1941 in Riverside, California. She married James R. SHEARER on 11 August 1890 in Napa, Napa, California. James, the son of Harry SHEARER and Mary MORRIS, was born 3 April 1858 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

vi. Ella SPIELMAN was born in January 1877 in Napa, California. She married Mr. CRADDOCK in 1895 in California. After Craddock’s death, she married Charles TAYLOR in 1914 in California who was born in 1861 in Michigan. Her married surname is spelled CRADDICK on 1900 Census California, Orange, Anaheim.

vii. Harry Garfield SPIELMAN was born on 19 February 1881 in Lakeport, Napa, California. He died 17 March 1944 in Anaheim, Orange, California and was buried 22 March 1944 in Anaheim, Orange, California. He was married to and divorced from Mary Grace SMITH. Mary was born 15 July 1882 in Clinton, Iowa and died 21 July 1982 in Anaheim, Orange, California. She was buried 24 July 1982 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

Other Family Surnames

Between William Hill’s large family and the families of his four brothers, there are numerous other surnames associated with our Orange County family history. Below are some of the other surnames that may be included in future blog entries along with news clippings, biographies, obituaries and photos that I have found or received from other family members. More surnames will be added as generations of ancestors and descendants are found.

William Hill – McClintock, Rankin, Spielman, Wolf, Hathaway, Hack, Stanley, Shearer, Craddock, Von Schmidt, Aldrich, Carlson, Pierangel, McLeod, Harmon, Glines, Helms, Clark, Schilling and Romack

Samuel Hill – Sydnam, June, Underwood, Teets, Chaffee, Force and Musser

Oliver Hill – Smalley

Thomas Hill – Tait and Mathewson

Joseph Hill

Hill Fine Dining

Great Grandma Blanche Hill was known as an exceptional cook and hostess. The Anaheim Gazette of January 23, 1913 contained the following article.

We are very fortunate to have two photos available of this dinner party; one inside and one outside. In the inside photo from left to right are Blanche Spielman Hill (wife of William Hill), Harry Spielman (brother of Blanche), John Harry Hill (oldest son of William and Blanche Hill), William “Billy” Young (hired help and friend of William Hill), Bessie “Bird” Spielman Shearer (younger sister of Blanche), Mrs. Mary Orilla Kellogg (early Anaheim pioneer), Edith Ella Hill (second oldest daughter of William and Blanche Hill), Marguerite Jessie Hill (fourth and youngest daughter of William and Blanche Hill), Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Gray and daughter Geraldine, Mary Grace Smith Spielman (wife of Harry Spielman) and daughter Annie Grace.

In the outside photo are (back row, left to right) Edith Ella Hill (second oldest daughter of William and Blanche Hill), Harry Shearer (second oldest son of James and Bird Shearer), George Oliver Hill (second oldest son of William and Blanche Hill), Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Gray, Bessie “Bird” Spielman Shearer (younger sister of Blanche), Blanche Spielman Hill (wife of William Hill), Mrs. Mary Orilla Kellogg (early Anaheim pioneer), Mary Grace Smith Spielman (wife of Harry) and Harry Spielman (brother of Blanche); (front row standing, left to right) Fred Shearer (third oldest son of James and Bird Shearer), Theodore Charter Hill (fifth and youngest son of William and Blanche Hill), Geraldine Gray (daughter of W.L.) and Marguerite Jessie Hill (fourth and youngest daughter of William and Blanche Hill); (front sitting) William J. Hill Jr. (fourth oldest son of William and Blanche Hill).

Below are three items that have survived over the years by being passed down from generation to generation. The first two items are a serving platter and dinner plate from Grandma Hill’s dinner table. The third item is the original lithograph and frame that hangs on the wall behind the dinner party. The picture is called Nature's Beauties and was painted by Paul de Longpré, a noted painter of the day who became well known for his renditions of flowers, especially roses. Born in 1855 near Lyon, France he came to Los Angeles in 1898 and died in Hollywood in 1911.

Hill Family Photographs by R. H. Gardiner

William and Blanche Hill were not shy about having photos taken of them, their family and their surroundings. The following set of three photos was taken by Roswell Harry Gardiner who was born in Maine in the mid-1850s and became an itinerant photographer on the west coast. Early in his career, Roswell was the Manager of the Great Eastern Photographic & Advertising Company in Portland, Oregon and about 1885 he moved to Southern California. He and his family, second wife Lenora Newby of Jonesboro, Indiana and son George Daniel born in Oregon are listed in the 1900 U.S. Census as living on Comstock Street in Whittier, California. While Roswell took many photos of various subjects at numerous Orange and Los Angeles locations, very few have actually been posted on the Internet with his credits. Based on the people in the first photograph, I believe that Roswell took these pictures in late 1896 or early 1897.

Photo 1 is of the Hill Ranch house was located on what is now Hill Road about 500 feet east of Brookhurst Street in Garden Grove. After studying this photograph, comparing it to family group sheets for William Hill's two families and guessing about when this photo was taken, I believe that from left to right is Annie Hill (age 8), William Hill (48), Blanche Hill (26), Edith Ella Hill (2), John Harry Hill (5), Elizabeth Mary Hill (11), Laura Rebecca Hill (1), Blanche Hill (3), William Robert Hill (15), and another family of an unknown man, boy, girl and woman whose ages don't look like they match any other Hill or Spielman families. Missing from this picture is Jane Hill (12) and Samuel Hill who died in 1890. The girl identified as Elizabeth could possibly be Jane who was a year older.

William Hill's 1911 bio said, "He put out eucalyptus and forest trees, also pines and evergreens." From this picture and the next, he definitely loved trees.

Photo 2 is of the Hill Ranch barn and outbuildings. Blanche Hill is in this photograph along with William Robert right of her and possibly Elizabeth left of her. The other woman, a child and William Hill on a wagon are in front of the white building and the other man is behind the black horses to William's left. William Hill had plenty of horses and mules for his business and directly in front of Blanche are her turkeys and further left are her ducks. One can only guess what it took to direct this photo and get everyone and everything in right place.

Photo 3 is of the Hill threshing machine with William Hill in his buckboard and his crew in position. The location of this picture with hills in the background could possibly be on forty acres of property that he owned in La Habra, north of Anaheim.

William John Hill -- Wives and Children

This narrative covers the births, marriages and deaths of William Hill, his two wives and fourteen children.

William John HILL was born on 30 May 1848 in Tyrone County, Ireland the oldest son of William HILL and Margaret MCCLINTOCK of Ireland. He died on 30 July 1912 from Bright's Disease and was buried on 31 July 1912 in Anaheim, Orange, California. William was naturalized in Los Angeles, California on 3 August 1887.

William married (1) Sarah Jane MCCLINTOCK daughter of Robert MCCLINTOCK on 8 September 1880 in Los Angeles, California. Sarah was born in March 1850 in Ireland. She died on 26 May 1890 and was buried in Anaheim, Orange, California. They had the following children:

i. William Robert HILL was born on 19 June 1881 in Anaheim, Orange, California. He died on 8 December 1945 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. William married Hazel L. VON SCHMIDT daughter of Alfred W. VON SCHMIDT and Jennie L. SPIELMAN. Hazel was born in July 1885 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

ii. Samuel James HILL was born on 19 August 1882 in Anaheim, Orange, California. He died on 1 December 1890 and was buried on 2 December 1890 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

iii. Sarah Jane or Jannie HILL was born on 6 August 1884 in Anaheim, Orange, California. She died on 24 October 1967 in Los Angeles, California.

iv. Elizabeth Mary or Lizzie HILL was born on 10 October 1885 in Anaheim, Orange, California. She died on 17 December 1952 in Los Angeles, California. Elizabeth married Wallace Walter ALDRICH in 1906 in California. Wallace was born on 2 March 1879 in Michigan. He died on 19 December 1942 in Los Angeles, California.

v. Sarah Annie HILL was born on 12 November 1888 in Anaheim, Orange, California. She died on 24 November 1921 and was buried on 28 November 1921 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

William married (2) Blanche Lucinda SPIELMAN daughter of Lawson Wolf SPIELMAN and Sarah Ann B. or Annie Rose HATHAWAY on 11 March 1891 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Blanche was born on 12 March 1870 in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland. She died on 22 March 1913 from heart disease and was buried on 24 March 1913 in Anaheim, Orange, California. They had the following children:

vi. John Harry HILL was born on 5 November 1891 in Anaheim, Orange, California. He died on 19 July 1957 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

John married (1) Thekla Sophia CARLSON daughter of CARLSON in 1910 in Orange, California. Thekla was born in 1886 in Sweden. She died in 1930 and was buried in 1930 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

John married (2) Lillian M. WOLF. Lillian was born on 5 December 1883 in Ohio. She died on 29 November 1969 in Orange, California.

vii. Blanche HILL was born in May 1893 in Anaheim, Orange, California. She died in 1939. Blanche married Nicholas PIERANGEL. Nicholas was born on 5 August 1880 in Ortona A Marche, Chieti, Italy.

viii. Edith Ella HILL was born on 3 September 1894 in Anaheim, Orange, California. She died on 2 April 1957 in Santa Ana, Orange, California and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Westminster, Orange, California.

Edith married (1) William HILTON. The marriage ended in divorce. William was born about 1886 in Iowa.

Edith married (2) John Irving MCLEOD on 27 January 1920 in Seattle, King, Washington. The marriage ended in divorce. John was born on 2 May 1894 in Everett, Snohomish, Washington. He died on 14 March 1958 and was buried on 18 March 1958 in Seattle, King, Washington.

Edith married (3) Edward Nathan HARMON son of Nathan HARMON and Minerva Melissa RALPH on 22 July 1939 in Orange, California. Edward was born on 12 February 1893 in Caldwell, Noble, Ohio. He died on 18 February 1958 in Madera, Madera, California and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Westminster, Orange, California.

ix. Laura Rebecca HILL was born on 28 November 1895 in Anaheim, Orange, California. She died on 13 June 1969 in Forest Grove, Washington, Oregon. Laura married Leon Lester GLINES son of Joseph Lorenza GLINES and Rosa Jane HELMS on 5 May 1916 in Westminster, Orange, California. Leon was born on 21 September 1893 in Westminster, Orange, California. He died on 4 January 1950 in Hood River, Hood River, Oregon.

x. George Oliver HILL was born on 3 June 1897 in Anaheim, Orange, California. He died on 11 April 1923 and was buried on 13 April 1923 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

xi. David Joseph HILL was born on 16 January 1899 in Anaheim, Orange, California. He died on 8 September 1899 and was buried on 9 September 1899 in Anaheim, Orange, California.

xii. William John HILL Jr was born on 10 October 1903 in Anaheim, Orange, California. He died on 27 August 1966 in Orange, California and was buried in Lake Forest, Orange, California. William married Eunice CLARK daughter of Carlisle J. CLARK and Maria M. SCHILLING on 30 June 1924 in Los Angeles, California. Eunice was born on 24 October 1906 in Aberdeen, Brown, South Dakota. She died on 10 August 1987 in Sparks, Washoe, Nevada and was buried in Lake Forest, Orange, California.

xiii. Theodore Charter HILL was born on 21 August 1905 in Anaheim, Orange, California. He died on 24 February 1969 in Kern, California. Theodore married Evelyn Vaneah ROMACK daughter of Ira Winfield ROMACK and Laura A. BURTON. Evelyn was born on 14 June 1907 in Wade, Jasper, Illinois. She died on 8 January 1992 in Lake, California.

xiv. Marguerite Jessie HILL was born on 13 March 1908 in Anaheim, Orange, California. She died on 23 April 1987 in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. She was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon.

William Hill & Robert McClintock – Pioneer Thresher & Teamster

William Hill (standing on the far left) bought and brought the first threshing machine to Orange County and operated it throughout Southern California. His neighbor Robert McClintock was also his brother-in-law by his first wife Sarah. Together these two men controlled all of the early threshing and much of the local heavy ground shipment resources. Below are three McClintock teams loaded and ready to roll from the Hellman tract; the teamsters are Bill McClintock (l), Bob McClintock (m) and Nate Harmon (r). The biographies of William Hill and Robert McClintock are also provided in this blog entry.

WILLIAM J. HILL -- Born in the north of Ireland of Scotch-Irish ancestry, William J. Hill came to America when a young man and after a short stay in New York City continued his journey on to California. After spending three years in San Francisco, in 1868 he came to Southern California and in Los Angeles County purchased land. He first bargained for eighty acres of unimproved land, for which he paid $10 per acre, beginning to improve it by building a small house and plowing some of the land. He put out eucalyptus and forest trees, also pines and evergreens, and a little later put out peaches, pears, apricots and prunes for home use. He raised grain on his ranch and also bought a threshing outfit and followed that business throughout Southern California for several years and became very well known. As he prospered he bought another forty acres which he put into grain. This is considered very valuable property, as oil has been developed on adjacent land. This and the home place has a valuation of about $400 an acre.

Mr. Hill was married, in 1880, to Sarah McClintock, by whom four children were born; Robert Hill; Sarah, in Los Angeles; Lizzie, the wife of Willard Aldrich; and Annie Hill, of San Francisco. Mrs. Hill passed away in 1890 and in 1891 occurred the marriage of Mr. Hill to Blanche L. Spielman. Of this union eight children were born, four daughters and four sons, as follows: Blanche, Edith, Laura, and Jessie, and Harry, George, William and Theodore. In politics Mr. Hill is a Republican, but has never sought office. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church of Anaheim. Mr. Hill is a member and past grand of Anaheim Lodge, I.O.O.F., a member and past grand patriarch of the Encampment, is past commander of Anaheim Tent, K.O.T.M., and he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs.

Mr. Hill has been a resident of Orange County for over forty-two years and took an active part in its organization as a separate county. He is numbered among the very oldest settlers in this locality and has seen the development of the raw land into productive ranches and the building up of the cities and towns throughout all of Southern California. By all who know him he is recognized as one of the public spirited citizens of Orange County.

Armor, Samuel (ed.), History of Orange County California with Biographical Sketches, pages 699-700. Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1911

ROBERT MCCLINTOCK -- The early memories of Mr. McClintock are centered around his home in northern Ireland, where he was born, in County Tyrone, in 1857. His parents were natives and life-time residents of the Emerald Isle, and he himself was reared in his native surroundings until attaining young manhood. At the age of nineteen he came to America and the vessel on which he sailed dropped anchor in a Canadian port. For two years thereafter he remained in that locality, having found employment in a store. From there he went to Philadelphia, remaining there for the same length of time, after which, in 1882, he came across the continent to California. Settling in Garden Grove, Orange county, in 1882, he worked on ranches in that locality for a number of years, or until 1888, when he came to Westminster and assumed the lease of sixteen hundred acres of the Hellman tract. His first crop consisted of corn and potatoes, but of late he has made a specialty of raising barley and oats. During the year 1909 he gathered twelve hundred and ninety-six tons of barley hay. Fifty head of horses are employed in the care and harvesting of the crops. The raising of fine draft horses is also an important feature of the ranch, an enterprise started in 1902, when Mr. McClintock imported three fine Clydesdale stallions from Scotland. He not only raises stock for his own use, but also raises them for the market, and from his branch alone he realizes a handsome income.

Before coming to the west, Mr. McClintock was married in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1882, to Isabella Rankin, and five children, three sons and two daughters, have been born to them, Robert J., Mary E. (a teacher in the public school at Westminster), Anna B., William J. and David H. All of the sons assist in the maintenance of the ranch and their help and co-operation have contributed largely to the success of the enterprise. The family are communicants and members of the Presbyterian Church, and fraternally Mr. McClintock belongs to Westminster Lodge No. 72, I.O.O.F., and to the Woodmen of the World. Politically he is a Republican.

Armor, Samuel (ed.), History of Orange County California with Biographical Sketches, pages 565-566. Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1911

William and Blanche (Spielman) Hill

On March 11, 1891 William J. Hill married Blanche L. Spielman at St. Paul's Church in Los Angeles, California. At 42, this was William's second marriage since his first wife, Sarah Jane (McClintock) Hill had passed away in 1890 leaving him with five children; Robert, Samuel, Jannie, Lizzie and Annie. Blanche was 21 and had been originally hired to be the Hill children's nanny.