John Winfield Hill , father of Fredrick A. Hill was born on 17 August1847 in Guernsey Co.,the second son of Joseph Hill and Mary Ann Dwigans. He was probably born in Monroe Township and lived in that county with his parents until 1851 when the family moved to Knox Co., Ohio where Joseph Hill had purchased in 1847, 160 acres of land in Monroe Twp., Knox Co., Ohio. This land is located directly East of Mt Vernon, Ohio. The location was Sec 17, Twp 7, Range 12. The farm was located just South of Monroe Mills, which is no longer a town but just a cross road.
In 1859 the Hill family moved to Wayne Twp., Knox Co., Ohio where Joseph Hill purchased 211 acres of excellent river bottom land in Sec 4, Twp 7, Range 14. This farm is located on Bryant Road three miles S. W. of Fredericktown, Ohio. Joseph Hill farmed this land until he retired in 1880.
On 23 March 1874 John W. Hill's mother died. On 10 August 1875 his father married Mary C. Snyder. On 23 Dec 1875 John W. Hill married Elizabeth Whitworth in Knox Co., Ohio. In less than two years John W Hill's mother died, his father remarried and John W. was married.
Elizabeth Whitworth was the daughter of Abraham Whitworth and Margaret Thornton. The Whitworth farm was located about a half mile from the Hill farm in Monroe Twp, so John W. Hill probably met Elizabeth Whitworth when they were both very young. It would seem likely that John W. keep in touch after his family moved across the county to Wayne Twp.
In the Spring of 1876 John W. moved to Guthrie County, Iowa and purchased 40 acres of land from J.B.Tallman on 17 Oct 1876. This land is located in Highland Twp and was Sec 28, Twp 81, Range 32 and was the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Sec 28. (Book U page 528 Guthrie Co. deeds). He also purchased an adjoining 40 acres (the SE Qt of the NE Qt) from William Allen, a single person, for $600 (Book 70 page 342 Guthrie Co. deeds) John W. Hill farmed this 80 acres until he sold it on 2 March 1908 to John Schick for $6800. This was recorded as the East one-half of the NW QT. (book 148, page 463 Guthrie Co. deeds) In 1985 this land was owned by a Henry W. Schick.
The John W. Hill farm is now vacant (1985) the home and farm buildings are still standing and seem to be in good shape. The home is a three story farm house with two or three dormers on the third floor. A large screened in porch covers the front of the house. Along the front of the property, bordering the road, are several walnut trees. According to John W. Hill's grandson, John Hill of Bagley, Iowa, these trees were planted by John W. Hill's son, Frederick A. Hill. The farm is located one mile South of the Highland Cemetery where many of the Hill's, including Frederick A. Hill are buried.
After John W. retired from farming he and Elizabeth (or Lizzie, as she was know. marriage license also has her name as Lizzie A. Whitworth) moved to Fairmont, Minnesota where he lived until his death in 1924. Elizabeth died on 27 December 1932 (obit is dated Dec 28 1932 and states Mrs Elizabeth Hill died last evening)
Fairmont contains seven lakes within the city limits, as John W. Hill loved to fish, he only had to choose which lake to fish. His home in Fairmont was only a half a block from Sisseton Lake, so obviously he had chosen his retirement home with care. It is believed that he use to come to Fairmont to fish prior to his retirement so he probably knew the area.
His home in Fairmont is located near the downtown area and is located at 26 South North St. His son Howard Hill resided in the home directly behind his parents. According to Velma Hill Anderson, adopted granddaughter of John W. Hill, several large American Elms used to be in front of his home, however, the Dutch Elm disease killed all of them.
John W. Hill and Elizabeth Whitworth Hill are buried in the Lakeside Cemetery, Fairmont, Minnesota. This cemetery and burial site was located with the instruction obtained from the above Velma Anderson, who lives on a farm near Welcome, Minnesota, a small town near Fairmont. It is of interest that Velma was probably the only Hill relative who knew where John W. Hill and Elizabeth are buried. The location is sec 16, Highland Township Cemetery.
John W. Hill wrote a short will dated 11 August 1900 while he was still living in Highland Twp, Guthrie Co., Iowa, unfortunately, it does not list any children, as he gave all his real and personal property to this wife Elizabeth Hill. It is of interest that one of the witness to this will was a Tallman. John W. purchased his land from a J. b. Tallman. The connection is not known at the present time.
Children of John Winfield Hill and Elizabeth Whitworth
1 Frederick Abraham Hill Born 18 Sept 1876 Guthrie Co., Iowa he died on 9 Feb 1955 in Sioux City, Iowa. He married Emma LaVada Rawlings on 20 Feb 1901. She was the daughter of Thomas Ray Rawlings and Esther Ann Clendenen. Fred and LaVada had two son Veryl born 17 Nov 1905, died 10 March 1974 and Kenneth Raymond born 10 Jan 1908 and died 15 Feb 1990. They also had a adopted daughter Pauline.
2. Charles E. Hill Born 1878 Died 6 Oct 1880 Buried in Highland Cemetery, Guthrie Co., Iowa (2yrs, 9mos, 6 days)
3. Harve Russell Hill Born 29 Dec 1879, Died 14 April 1948. Married Armintha Mae Love, 14 March 1900. Buried Highland Cem, Guthrie Co. Iowa. Farmer in Guthrie Co., for many years Children: Laura Mae, Hazel Loretta, Elizabeth Ellen & John Wesley, 4. Maude Whitworth Hill Born 17 Oct 1881. Married 1. Harry E. Ingledue 5 April 1900, Children Paul. Married 2. Ryder
5. Howard J. Hill Born 10 April 1886. Married Jennie H. Johnson. Had adopted daughter Velma Margaret Hill.