Fred Palmer Hills
Fred Palmer Hills, cashier of the Delaware Savings Bank Company, and president of the First National Bank of Cardington, Ohio, was born October 4, 1851. He comes of old colonial stock, being a descendant in the eighth generation of William Hills, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, on the ship "Lyon" from England, in September, 1632. He probably died at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1683. He was married three times. His first wife, from whom the subject of this sketch is descended, was Phillis, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Osborne) Lyman, who emigrated from High Onger, Essex County, England, in 1631.
The next in the present line of descent was William, second, who was born in Hartford, Connecticut, about 1646, and who was buried at Hartford, August 15, 1693.
The third generation in the line to the subject of this sketch, was represented by Joseph, who was born in East Hartford, Connecticut, in 1683, and who died at Farmington, Connecticut, April 29, 1751. He married Abigail Noyes, who died September 23, 1751.
Joseph and Abigail were the parents of David (fourth generation), who was born in Farmington, September 15, 1716. He married a widow, Mrs. Anna Hart, who was a daughter of Zebulon Deming, the date of the marriage being August 28, 17—. She died October 30, 1804. He died after June, 1790.
Amos, son of David and Anna Hills, is the fifth link in our genealogical chain. He was born in 1745, and died at Farmington, Connecticut, April 9, 1813. He married, in 1773, Rachel Lewis of Middletown, who was born in August, 1750, and died October 4. 1818.
Descending another generation, we come to James Harvey (son of Amos), and grandfather of Fred P. Hills, who was born in Farmington. Connecticut, March 8, 1782. He was educated at Yale College, and was a graduate in medicine, which he made his profession. He removed to Darby Plains, Ohio, and thence to Worthington, coming to Delaware in 1822. At one time he was part owner of what is now the Ohio State Journal. In 1812 he marched with General Harrison to Fort Defiance. Here he was taken sick, and his wife rode 100 miles through the trackless forests to care for him, an instance of courage and endurance by no means uncommon among the women of pioneer days. Dr. Hills resided in Delaware from 1822 until his death, which occurred from milk fever, November 30, 1830. An estimate of his ability as a medical practitioner may be found in the chapter on the "Medical Profession," in this volume. He was a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., of Delaware. He married, in September, 1801. Beulah Andrews, who was born April 6. 1784, and died June 22, 1866. They were the parents of eleven children.
Chauncey Hills, eighth son and child of Dr. James H. and Beulah Hills, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Worthington, Ohio, October 7, 1816. He was quite young when the family came to Delaware, and he was but fourteen when his father died. He began at once, not only to be self-supporting, but also to help his mother, in spite of his youth, finding employment in teaching school. At the close of the session he found work in a printing office in Marion. Afterwards he endeavored to apprentice himself to a saddler in Delaware, but a conflict arose at to who was to select the suit of clothes to be included in the compensation, and the engagement was not made. Mr. Hills did not propose, boy though he was, that anyone but himself should select his clothes. The positive tastes and views of the boy were apparent in the man. and were a potent factor in his long and successful career. He was modest, unassuming, and courteous, and Delaware never had a more highly esteemed citizen. A period of work in a store was followed by study for the bar. but being offered a position in the leading general store of Delaware, be accepted, and his share of profits for the first year was $3,000. the beginning of his business success, and for more than forty years his name was identified with the dry-goods trade of Delaware.
In 1854 he purchased a small farm, which he augmented to 400 acres, and called "Crystal Spring Farm," from the beautiful spring of clear crystal water located upon it. An incident published in the atlas of the county, in 1875. and which was given by Elam Vining, who lived to be upward of ninety, and who was told the story by one of the rescuing party, lends interest to this spot.
"The Delaware and other tribes sent war parties into Pennsylvania to depredate, destroy and to take prisoners. One party was followed by a band of rescuers. They separated, and the Delawares came to their river camps. This party had a young white girl in captivity, and was traced by the pursuing party, among whom were two brothers of the prisoner, through Bowtown, and through the villages. all of which were deserted. The light of a fire glimmering to the north, directed their steps to an assembly of the Indians engaged in a war-dance. The maiden was seen fastened to a stake near a fire. It was early evening, and instant assault was ordered. A volley from the whites killed one savage, wounded others, and put the rest to instant flight. The girl was released and the party returned home in triumph. The spot which is of interest for this rescue, is known as the Crystal Spring Farm, on Clear Run, Troy Township." The exact spot was at the spring.
The diversion which the farm afforded undoubtedly added health and strength and years to Mr. Hills' life. In 1862 he moved from the city to the farm, and remained there 12 years, one of the happiest periods of bis life. The land is limestone, situated in a fine gentle, rolling country, with magnificent groves of oaks and maples and other native trees, and pastures of rich blue grass.
Here, in 1854, was laid the foundation of his shorthorn herd, when the fine young bull, Master Miller 693. and the beautiful young Rose of Sharon heifer. Fanny Fern, by Prince Charles the Second 32113, were purchased of the Messrs. Renick. At this time and for six years thereafter, the late T. C. Jones, his brother-in-law, was associated with Mr. Hills, the firm being Hills & Jones. In 1862 the herd was divided. Mr. Hills also experimented with various breeds of sheep, but the Shropshires, of which be made many importations, were his favorites. His success as a breeder of shorthorns was well attested many years ago by the choice of numbers of his herd for export to Great Britain, where they graced the pastures of Lord Dunmore, at Stirling, and produced descendants that were most successful in the show-ring. Two animals which Mr. Hills bred, were shipped to England and sold for 1,500 guineas, about $7,500. He also bred thoroughbred Yorkshire hogs. In 1872. with his wife, and his son. Fred Palmer, he traveled extensively through Europe, and visited many of the leading flocks and herds of England.
In 1847 Mr. Hills married Margaret Copp Williams, a niece of E. D. Morgan, who was at one time Governor of New York. They had a family of five sons and one daughter, namely: Frank A., born August 21. 1849; Fred Palmer, born October 4. 1851; Hosea W., born July 30. 1853: Harry N., born March 20. 1855: John W., born November 24. 1856; James M., born December 10. 1858; and Katherine M.. born June 22. 1861. who married Dr. Ferris, of Brooklyn. New York, and died May 5. 1907. John W. Hills is one of the best known live-stock artists in the country.
Chauncy Hills, in addition to his farming and live-stock interests, was a director in several Delaware banks, and president of the Gas Company. All his business dealings were characterized by probity and honor, and he was personally a generous and helpful man. He was a fine horseman, and excelled in whatever he undertook, being always alert to take advantage of opportunities, and keeping ever before him the highest possible standard as a goal. He selected always the best things whenever he had a choice to make. He wrote numerous articles on the breeding of cattle and sheep for the Country Gentleman and other stock and agricultural papers. Mr. Hills died February 9. 1901. when past his eighty-fourth year, having accomplished much work of permanent value to the community in which he had spent the greater part of his life.
Fred Palmer Hills, the direct subject of this sketch, in his early youth attended the school ot Mrs. Murray, a well known educator of that day, and so continued his studies until his parents removed to their farm in Troy Township. He then passed under the care of a private tutor. Miss Elizabeth Williams, coming later under the tuition of Rev. James S. Campbell, who was at that time and for many years afterwards, superintendent of schools in Delaware. In 1870. in company with J. D. Wolfley, he went to Europe to master German and French, and to secure the culture that comes only from a residence abroad. They spent a year in Hanover. Germany, and another in Geneva. Switzerland, after which Mr. Hills devoted six months more to travel. The Franco-Prussian war broke out the first week after they landed in Germany, and they had an opportunity to witness a review of the German troops, as they marched up "Unter den Linden," by the statute of Frederick the Great, in Berlin. This was a rare opportunity, as the soldiers of all the various German states were clad in the uniforms of their respective states, or principalities, and presented a sight such as will probably never be seen again.
Upon his return to Delaware Mr. Hills engaged in the dry-goods business with his father, under the name of C. Hills & Company. He was already familiar with the business, as he had had experience in the store before going abroad, during his spare time. Later, with his brothers, John and Harry N.. under the firm name of Hills Bros., he bought the business and continued it until 1882, when the three brothers sold out to John W. Hills and George Thirkield, the style of the firm becoming Hills & Thirkield. In 1877 Chauncy Hills, V. T. Hills, Frank A., and the subject of this sketch, formed the Hills Paper Company, and bought the mill at Stratford from the estate of Mr. Hills' grandfather. Judge Hosea Williams. In 1882 they sold out to Edsall Mills & Randall. Mr. Fred P. Hills then went to Europe and visited about twentyfive of the finest stock farms in Great Britain and on the continent. He purchased $6,000 worth of thoroughbred shorthorns, registered in the English herd books, among them being- Wild Eyes Lassie, Windemere 3d, Countess of Oxford, Grand Duke Barrington 2d, and 100 Shropshire sheep. The Shropshire flock, which was started at Crystal Spring Farm, in 1876, and is now kept at Oakland Farm, is the oldest one in Ohio. The foundation stock was imported from several of the most distinguished breeders in Great Britain. The sheep from this flock have had a strong influence in improving the grade of sheep kept by the farmers throughout this section of the State.
After his return from Europe Mr. Hills gave his entire time to stock breeding on the home farm—Crystal Spring Farm, in Troy Township. In 1888 he became president of the First National Bank of Cardington, and since that time has spent one or two days there every week. He also has charge of Oakland Farm, in Peru Township, Morrow County, which is the property of his wife—her old home. Here they have about 60 head of thoroughbred shorthorn and polled Durham cattle. They have also about 20 horses, several of them thoroughbred Percherons. For 10 years Mr. Hills also bred thoroughbred Welsh ponies, and for a time, Angora goats.
In 1891 he helped to organize the Delaware Savings Bank Company, of Delaware, of which he has been cashier since 1892. He is also a director of the Delaware Gas Company, and of the Delaware Ice and Coal Company, and is treasurer of the Citizens' Telephone Company. He is interested in the Mineral Springs and Sanitarium Company, which is likely to be developed before long into a splendid property, and also in the Odevene Company, which controls a water equal to the springs at West Baden, Indiana. He also owns Greenwood Lake, which is a beautiful spot and a favorite resort for picnics.
Mr. Hills was married, October 16, 1884, to Mary, daughter of Isaac H. and Caroline (Clark) Pennock. Of this union there have been four children, of whom Beatrice, the first-born, died in infancy. The survivors are: Dorothy, Robert Pennock, and Mary Caroline. Dorothy, a bright and scholarly young lady, is attending private school in New York State. She is an accomplished musician, being an able executant upon the violin, piano, mandolin, and guitar. Robert also possesses musical ability, being a good ameteur performer on the flute. A taste for music is a family characteristic, as Mrs. Hills is an accomplished pianist, and Mr. Hills sang in the choir of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, of which all the family are members, from 1869 to 1907. He has also been treasurer of the church for five or six years. Personally Mr. Hills inherits all of his father's best characteristics. Thorough in his business methods of unimpeached honor and probity, he is also in his manners all that is implied by the word gentleman, when used in its best and most comprehensive sense. He and his family are among the most respected residents of Delaware County.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens by James R. Lytle