Surnames: HILL, GOULD, SITTS, SMITH, WELSH, NICHOLS, GRAVES, MACK, CLEMETSON, SCHAFFER

William Hill, Sr., (1831 - ?)

WILLIAM HILL, SR., a pioneer of Loyal township, now living a retired life in Loyal village, was born in Hebron township, Washington county, New York, March 22, 1831, son of Jesse and Pamelia (Gould) Hill. Jesse Hill was born in New York State, son of a veteran of the war of 1812, and was there reared. After his marriage to Pamelia Gould, a sister of Jay Gould, the famous New York financier and millionaire, they came in 1845 to Concord, Jefferson county, Wis., where, after working for others for some time, he bought a farm, on which he built a log house and began farming. In 1861, with four of his sons, he enlisted in the Civil War in which he and his stepson Elijah lost their lives. There were seven children in the family, of whom five, John, William, Sr., Calvin, Oliver and Roxy Jane, were by Jesse Hill's first wife, Pamelia. The mother dying about 1849, Mr. Hill had married for his second wife Mrs. Smith, by whom he had two children, Anna and Delight. Mrs. Hill by her marriage to Mr. Smith, also had two children, Volney and Elijah.

William Hill, Sr., got his schooling in New York State and in Jefferson county, Wis. When 27 years old he married Phoebe Sitts, daughter of George Sitts of Iron Ridge, Dodge county, this state. After his marriage he with his bride returned East for two years, then coming back to Iron Ridge, Dodge county, where he conducted the hotel and grocery store of his father-in-law. In the spring of 1864, in company with three others: William Welsh, and two brothers-in-law, Abraham Smith and Henry Sitts--he came to Clark county, the party walking from Tomah to Black River Falls, from there to Neillsville, and then to Loyal township. Eating dinner at the quarter stake between sections 10 and 11, each man selected the quarter section on the corner of which he was then sitting.

Then they went to Eau Claire to get their claims registered, after which they returned to Black River Falls. That fall they went to Dodge county and brought their wives here. With an axe as his only tool Mr. Hill built a log house, and the first winter earned a cow by working out. Burning was the only way to get rid of the heavy hardwood timber which covered the place, and he and his wife often sat up far into the night watching the fires. His spare time he spent in making shingles, which he sold at Neillsville for only $2 a thousand, though he had to pay as high as $16 a barrel for flour and salt. After about a year on the farm Mr. Hill lost his wife. He subsequently married Delany Fuller, a native of Monroe, Green county, but then living in Clark county. She died about 1884 and he later married for his third wife Tammie J. Nichols. Mr. Hill lived on that farm for about thirty years, during which time he made good progress in its development and became recognized as one of the successful farmers of his township and one of its most prominent citizens. He served in various offices ' including those of constable, assessor, justice of the peace, and school clerk, and aside from his farming interests he was a stockholder in the Greenwood creamery.

When he retired from the farm he took up his residence in the village of Loyal, where he has since made his home. It is interesting to, note that Loyal township received its name from Mr. Hill's brother, Oliver H., who came west with him after he left the army. Oliver H. had married Hulda Graves, and when the town was set out Oliver Hill was asked to name it. The name "Loyal" came into his mind as the result of his recent experience in fighting for the Union, and it was accepted on his suggestion. The children of William. Hill, Sr., by his first wife were Clarissa Elizabeth, Frances Luella, and George. Clarissa E. was born in Jefferson county, Wis., and died at the age of nine months. Frances L., born at Iron Ridge, Dodge county, Wis., married Eli Mack, by whom she had three children-John, William, and Earl. She married secondly Ralph Clemetson, and by him has two children: Milton, a veteran of the Mexican border campaign, and now in the Federal service; and Elsie, who married Henry De Young and has four children-Marie, Catherine, Frances, and Alice. George Hill was born in Clark county and is now living in Fremont, Mich. He married Hattie Schaffer and has seven children.

By his second wife William Hill, Sr., had two children-William and Ray. William, who is now deceased, married Bertha Lenling, and they had seven children-Paul, Calvin, Harold, Walter, Alfred, Charles, and Delany. The wife and children reside in Loyal. Ray Hill, who is unmarried, lives in Elmhurst, Langlade county, Wis. The children by Mr. Hill's third wife, by her first husband, Lester Nichols, were William, Lester, Myron, Frank, Jennie, and Fannie. By her second husband, William Meachem, there were two children. Three grandchildren are married and have children; John and William Mack, sons of Eli and Frances L. Mack, and Jessie, daughter of George and Hattie Hill.

Response

Pamelia Gould Hill was not a sibling of Jay Gould. Her father was Jonathan Gould of Hebron, Washington County, New York. Her siblings were Alpha, Jane S., and Eliza Gould. Diane Z. Stevens (family member).