Ezra Florence Hill

As printed in 1906

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

The Hill family is of Scotch extraction and was founded in America by our subject's great-grandfather, who subsequently served in the War of the Revolution. His son, Capt. Wiliam Hill, was born in Virginia and settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1815. locating in Muhlenberg township. During the war of 1812 he served as captain of a Virginia company of volunteers. He became a very prominent man in Pickaway County and served as a ' justice of the peace from 1828 to 1840, having charge of the whole half of the county west of 1 the river, prior to its division into townships. At his death, at the age of 83 years, he owned 700 acres of land, a large portion of which was under cultivation.

Thomas Hill, father of our subject, was I born February 21, 1807, in Hampshire County, ! Virginia, now \Yrest Virginia, and accompanied his parents to Muhlenberg township, where lie later cultivated a farm given him by his father.

He died September 10, 1 SS 5, leaving an estate of 215 acres of land. For about a quarter of a century he was a trustee of 'Muhlenberg" township-. In early days he was a Whig in his political affiliation, but became a Republican upon the organization of the party.

Thomas Hill married Julia A. Sharp, who was born in New York, July I, 1813, and died May 14, 1895. She came-to Pickaway County with her parents, who were of German.descent. Thomas Hill and wife had 10 children and all of these are living with the exception of Marcus, who died at the age of three years. The nine who survive are as follows: Mrs. Margaret Darst, of Muhlenberg township; Mrs. Elizabeth Whiteside, of Darby township; Mrs. Mary Bolin, of Darbyville; Mrs. Ellen McKinley, of Franklin County; William C, of whom a sketch will be found in this volume; Mrs. Matilda Wilson, of White County, Indiana; Robert C., residing on the old homestead, a sketch of whom will be found in this work; Ezra Florence, the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Sarah Stiverson, of Columbus.

Ezra Florence Hill was reared on the homestead farm and obtained his education in the district schools. He was the youngest son in a large family and remained at home with his parents until his marriage. For some eight years following this event, he rented land and then purchased 136 acres of what was known as the Colonel Florence farm, located on the Florence Hill Chapel turnpike. There were no buildings on the property, so Mr. Hill and his family continued to reside on the home place but he farmer the land until 1905, when he disposed of it. In 1894 Mr. Hill purchased what was called the John McKinley farm, consisting of 203 acres. Here he took up his residence and lived until 1902, when he moved to Darbyville. At this time he purchased village property, which included a dwelling and barn. This property he has greatly improved. Since coming to the village, he has offered a fine line of carriages for sale. For so many years he has been actively employed that time would hang heavily on his hands without some outside interests.

Mr. Hill still retains a farm on the Darbvville and London turnpike adjoining the corporate limits of the village. lie also owns the Thomas Darst farm of 216JZ acres, located on the Harrisburg and Darbyville turnpike,; on Darby Creek, 37 acres of the Colonel Hor- 1 ence farm, and 50 acres of the old homestead. In all, lie owns 409 acres in Muhlenberg township and 100 acres in Darby township. He continues to oversee operations on a large portion of this farming land, his interest still continuing, although he has turned the direct management over to younger hands.

Mr. Hill was married (first) in 1879, and his children are as follows: Coleman IT, a teacher, residing at home; Harvey, who operates the McKinley farm; Lena May, of Cleveland; and Joseph P. who is attending the Bliss Business College at Columbus. Mr. Hill was married (second) on February 28, 1906, to Lissa M. Hewitt, daughter of William and Mary Hewitt. She was born in Pickaway County and before her marriage was a successful teacher in the public schools of Pick- away and Madison counties.

Politically Mr.- Hill has always been identi- 1 fied with the Republican party and has been a very prominent factor in township and county affairs, serving many times as a delegate to county, State and Congressional conventions. He has served three terms as trustee of the township, two terms as assessor, three terms as township treasurer, in 1890 was land appraiser and is now village treasurer. For 25 years he has been more or less connected with official life in the county and stands deservedly high in public esteem. Since 1890 he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church and is one of its trustees.

As printed in History of Pickaway County, Ohio and representative citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.