Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  p. 658
 
JAMES HILL

     The largest individual farmer in Umatilla county is James Hill, who is now
residing in Pendleton.  He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on the 27th of
November, 1879, a son of John F. and Anna (Terry) Hill.  The father was a native
of Tennessee and the mother of Glasgow, Kentucky.  Their marriage occurred in
the former state, where the father engaged in farming near Nashville, until
April 6, 1887, when they removed to Oregon, settling near Helix, Umatilla
county.  There Mr. Hill purchased three hundred and ten acres of improved land,
to which he added some three hundred acres.  He operated this farm successfully
for a number of years and is now living retired in Pendleton, at the age of
seventy-six years.  Mr. Hill is a prominent and well known man in Pendleton and
is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and always interested in local
affairs.  On the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army,
serving under General Lee.  He participated in many of the leading battles of
the war and was mustered out at Nashville.
     The boyhood of James Hill was spent on the old ranch, receiving his
education in the country schools and also in Pendleton.  In due time he attended
the Whitman College and after putting his textbooks aside worked by the day for
his brother, Henry T. Hill, for some time.  In 1906 he bought out his brother's
interests and leased the ranch, consisting of twelve hundred and sixty acres,
and has since added to this land until he now has forty-six hundred acres, part
of which is leased.  He has kept in touch with the trend of modern progress
along agricultural lines and has a well equipped and highly developed ranch.  In
November, 1917, he bought his present home in Pendleton, on North Main street,
where he is residing and from which place he operates his ranch.  He is a
prominent and representative citizen.
     On January 22, 1907, Mr. Hill was married to Miss Beulah Rankine, a
daughter of Josiah and Etta (Rowell) Rankine.  Mr. Rankine was a native of
Michigan and Mrs. Rankine, of Salem, Massachusetts.  Her parents are living in
Olympia, Washington.  Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill:  James
S. L.; Frederick W.; and Mary Isabel.
     The political allegiance of Mr. Hill is given to the democratic party and
he has firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good
government.  Fraternally he is an Elk.  Mr. Hill is thoroughly familiar with
every phase of farming and his close application, energy and enterprise are
dominant elements in winning for him his present success.  His singleness of
purpose has been one of the strong elements in his success, in the attainment of
which he has so directed his efforts and activities as to make every action
count for the utmost.
 
 
 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.