An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 326-327
	
	
	HON. ROBERT C. HILL, an honored pioneer of Puget Sound, Washington, and
cashier of the First National Bank at Port Townsend, was born at Hatborough,
Pennsylvania, September 14, 1829. His parents, Dr. John H. and Eliza L. (Davis)
Hill, were natives of Delaware and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father, Dr.
Hill, practiced medicine in Hatborough until 1836, when he removed to
Philadelphia and engaged in the drug business.
	The subject of this sketch was educated in the grammar and high schools of
that City of Brotherly Love, and when seventeen years of age entered mercantile
life as clerk in a dry-goods store, later being employed by the Richardson
Manufacturing Company, with which corporation he continued until 1848. He then
joined his father in New Jersey and engaged in the milling business. In the
meantime, gold having been discovered in California, the country was thrown into
great excitement, and among others who hastened to the Golden State were the
subject of this sketch, his father and two brothers, Nathaniel D. and Humphrey.
They embarked in 1850 via the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco in July of
the same year. The father of the subject of this notice there opened a lumber
yard, and Robert acted as clerk in connection with this enterprise for a year.
Being desirous, however, of trying his fortune in the mines, Robert went to
Salmon river, where a short experience satisfied him that the work was too
laborious, and he returned to San Francisco, where he engaged in the grain and
feed business. In 1852 he became manager of his brother William's ranch in
Sonoma Valley, and in February, 1853, removed to Whidby island, whence his
brothers, Nathaniel D. and Humphrey, had settled in the previous year. Mr. Hill,
of this notice, there located a claim adjoining that of Colonel Eby, and at once
engaged in farming. This peaceful occupation was interrupted by the Indian war
of 1855-'56, during which he was a member of the staff of Major Van Bokkelen, of
the Northern Battalion, whose operations were on Snoqualmie prairie and along
the Snohomish river. He afterward served three years as Clerk of the United
States District Court of the Third Judicial District, over which Judge
	E.C. Fitzhngh presided, and which was the first court held in Coveland, on
Whidby island, and which was later transferred to Port Townsend.
	In 1861 Mr. Hill resigned his position, and went on a prospecting tour
through California and Nevada, in which States he followed quartz mining for six
years. At the end of this time he once more returned to his farm on Whidby
Island. Shortly after his arrival here, he was elected Auditor and Probate Judge
of Island county, both of which offices he held for fourteen years, rendering in
these capacities able service to the country, his administration being
characterized by uprightness and impartiality. At the end of this time he
resigned and removed to Port Townsend, where in the spring of 1883 he became
associated with Colonel Henry Landis in the establishment of the First National
Bank, in which Mr. Hill became cashier, the duties of which position he has
since discharged with efficiency and honor. His energies, however, have not been
confined to the requirements of that position alone; on the contrary there are
few commercial interests in Port Townsend which have not felt the invigorating
effect of his enterprising spirit. He was one of the original stockholders of
the Fort Townsend Southern Railway Company; Port Townsend Sawmill Company; Port
Townsend Hotel Company; Steel Wire & Nail Works; the first street railroad; and
many other enterprises. He owns much valuable and improved business and
residence property in Port Townsend and many acres of realty about the Sound,
and is altogether one of the most substantial men of the community.
	February 21, 1875, Mr. Hill was married in Olympia, Washington, to Mrs.
Elizabeth Phillips, an estimable lady, widow of Charles C. Phillips, a prominent
pioneer of 1852. Mr. Phillips, on coming to the Sound country, first settled at
Tulalip, where he built a sawmill, but some time later engaged in mercantile
business at Oak Harbor on Whidby island, where he remained until his death. Mr.
and Mrs. Hill have four children: Albert C. Phillips, Robert H., William H., and
Harry C. Hill, all promising young Washingtonians.
	Politically Mr. Hill is a Democrat, but not particularly active in public
affairs, other than availing himself of his right of franchise and in supporting
home government, being void of personal ambition for office. He is fraternally a
member of the thirtieth degree, Scottish Rite Masons, of which order he is Past
Grand Master in Washington. He is, socially, popular and genial, is upright in
every department of life, and as a citizen is characterized by liberality and
public spirit.
	
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
	
	
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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.