"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a
compilation of this work....by a number of writers".  Chapman Publishing Co;
Chicago, 1903. p. 559.
 
HENRY HILL

     That good can and does often result from seeming disaster has been
exemplified in the life experience of Mr. Hill, who in all probability would
never have organized the Oregon Foundry had it not been that his original. plans
had been thwarted. In 1882, when the new steel mill project was set on foot at
Oswego, Ore., he was employed to come to Portland as foreman of the foundry
department, but after he arrived here the project was abandoned. Being pleased
with the climate and surroundings, he decided to remain here, however, and at
once set about to find work at his trade. Subsequently he founded the Oregon
Foundry, in partnership with his sons, and in an incredibly short time the
business had grown to vast proportions. In 1898 they purchased the Oregon Iron
Fence & Foundry Company, thus adding to their large plant, and two years later
the company was re-incorporated, with the following officers in charge: Henry
Hill, Sr., president; John Hill, vice-president ; Miss Sadie Hill, secretary and
treasurer, and Henry Hill, Jr., manager. While a specialty is made of machinery,
they also manufacture lumber trucks, shaft boxes and grate bars, in fact
castings of all kinds can be turned out upon short notice. The plant is
admirably located at the corner of Alder and Ninth streets, upon three and
one-half lots, and the products of the foundry and machine shop are shipped all
over Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Washington, British Columbia, and even
to Alaska.
     Henry Hill, Sr., was born in Staffordshire, England, where he learned the
moulder's trade. In April, 1865, he came to America, landing here upon the day
that the whole country was bowed with grief over the sad news of the
assassination of President Lincoln. The voyage was made in the Great Eastern,
this being her first trip across the Atlantic. Settling in Youngstown, Ohio, he
became manager of the Brown & Bonnell foundry, which was small and insignificant
when he first became identified with it, but which grew to vast proportions in
time, and eventually covered several acres of ground. When the South Chicago
steel rail mill was built, he was employed to superintend the building of the
foundry, but after a time he resigned his position and returned to Youngstown as
an employe of the Todd's Iron works. While in Ohio he had the distinction of
making some of the largest castings ever made in the United States, among them
being two wheels of thirty-two tons weight, cast in one piece, and though over
thirty years old they are still in use. While in Youngstown, Ohio, Mr. Hill cast
a chill roll, being the first one cast in that city. Upon leaving Ohio Mr. Hill
came to Oregon in 1883, as has been mentioned previously. He is a stanch member
of the Baptist Church, which body he has served in the capacity of deacon, and
is decided in his opinions in regard to the evils of strong drink. His wife,
formerly Miss Sarah A. Oskitch, was also born in Staffordshire, England, and her
death occurred in Portland.
     Of the eleven children born to this worthy couple seven grew to maturity.
Clara, Mrs. Wright, resides in Youngstown, Ohio; George is a moulder in Niles,
Ohio, and also has an interest in the Oregon foundry.; Henry, Jr., William,
Sadie, John and David, all of whom are interested in the business founded by
their father. The three oldest sons were born in England; and the remainder of
the family were born in Mahoning county, Ohio. Henry, Jr., first learned the
blacksmith's trade and later started in business for himself at the corner of
Market and Seventh streets. While engaged at his work he met with a sad
accident, his eyes being burned by the borax which he was using in the welding
of a piece of iron. This necessitated abandoning the business and he later took
a course at the Portland Business College. Subsequently for three years he was
in the employ of Snell, Hitcher & Woodward, wholesale druggists, and still later
went to San Francisco, where for a time he filled a position as salesman.
William Hill first learned the saddler's trade and followed it for a time, but
when the foundry company was organized he became interested in it and is now an
expert moulder. John and David also have learned the latter trade and are
experienced mechanics. The growth and prosperity of the Oregon Foundry is only
commensurate with the energy and enterprise of its officials, all of whom are
widely known and popular and they well merit the substantial success they˜have
so deservedly achieved.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.