JOHN HILL. REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, 1867-1873, 1881-1883.* JOHN HILL was born at Catskill, N. Y., June 10, 1821; died at Boonton, N. J., July 24, 1884. He was educated at a private school, and at an early age was given a position in the bank, of which his father was cashier. In 1845 he became paymaster of the New Jersey Iron Company at Boonton, N. J., and subsequently devoted himself to mercantile pursuits. He was three times a member of the State Legislature; was a Representative in Congress from 1867 till 1873, again from 1881 till 1883. To his effort was due the abolishing of the franking privilege, the introduction of the postal card, and the reduction of letter postage from three cents to two cents per half ounce. was called by his associates "Honest John Hill." He At an early age he became a member of the Presbyterian Church at Catskill; on removal connected himself by letter with the Presbyterian Church at Boonton, was early chosen an Elder, and for thirty years was Sunday School superintendent. When as a lad at Catskill he gave his heart to Christ, he entered at once upon service. For several years it was his habit on the Sabbath, after morning worship, to leave his home at one o'clock and occupy the afternoon and evening in benevolent work. A revival of religion followed his efforts. He was married in 1853 to Phoebe Carman of White Plains, N. Y. *Boonton Weekly Bulletin Supplement; New York Observer. BENJAMIN HARVEY HILL. SENATOR IN CONGRESS, 1877-1883.* BENJAMIN HARVEY HILL was born in Jasper County, Georgia, September 14, 1823; died at Atlanta, August 16, 1882. He graduated at the University of Georgia in 1844, the following year was admitted to the Bar, and commenced practice at La Grange. In 1851 he was elected to the Legislature of Georgia; was again elected in 1859, having accepted the nomination, that he might be in a position to oppose the secession movement that he prophesied would arise if a Republican President was elected. When the ordinance of secession was introduced in the State Convention of 1861, of which he was a member, he opposed it; but after the ordinance had passed he decided to go with his State. At the opening of the war he was elected to the Confederate Provisional Congress which met at Montgomery, Ala. After the conflict between North and South had closed he was elected, in 1875, a Representative in Congress, to take the place of Mr. McMillan, deceased; in 1876 was re-elected; and in 1877 was elected a Senator in Congress for the term of six years. Mr. Hill was connected with his two sons in the law business, was one of the best lawyers in Georgia, and an impressive orator. He was a broad, stout man, with a benevolent and intellectual face. For a time after the war he lived in Athens, and finally removed to a pleasant home in Atlanta. The malady which brought his life to a close was cancer of the tongue. In July, 1881, he submitted to an operation, but without benefit. He went to the Hot Springs of Arkansas, and while here received from Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts, the following * Appleton; New York Tribune ; Congregationalist ; Evangelist. BENJAMIN HARVEY HILL. 271 letter of sympathy, signed by all the United States Senators then at the capital: "We desire to assure you of our affectionate regard, of our sympathy with you in your severe trial, and our admiration for the courage and patience with which you have encountered it." A writer, describing his last illness, says: "He sits the whole day the object of the tender care of his family, reading papers and devotional works, writing down his passing impressions, inditing letters and communicating with those around him. He is perfectly cheerful under his sufferings, and says these are the happiest days of his life. He says the Lord has given him a good long notice, and he is fully prepared for the summons when it comes." Says another writer: "He received the blessed Gospel before the end came, or was even definitely threatened, as a little child. General Evans, visiting him, asked him to indicate some Scripture he would like to have read. 'Read me Paul's letter to the Corinthians on the Resurrection,' said Mr. Hill. Mr. Evans read the entire chapter. Then Mr. Hill wrote: If a grain of corn will die, and then rise again in so much beauty, why may not I die and then rise again in infinite beauty and life?"" A monument has been erected to his memory at Atlanta―a life size statue of white marble, placed at the junction of two of the finest streets of the city. SAMUEL HOLTEN. REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, 1778-1787.* SAMUEL HOLTEN was born in what is now Danvers, Mass., June 9, 1738, died January 2, 1816. Being an only son, his father intended to give him a collegiate education, but a dangerous illness in his youth enfeebled his constitution. Health being in a measure restored, he turned his attention to the study of medicine. Before he had arrived at the age of eighteen, the physician under whose direction he studied, pronounced him qualified for the practice both of physic and surgery. In his nineteenth year he commenced practice in Gloucester, but in less than two years, at the solicitation of his father and friends, he returned to his native place and there practiced as his public engagements would permit, for sixteen years. He served eight years as Representative in the Massachusetts General Court, five years as Senator, twelve years as member of the Council, was a Representative in the Old Congress from 1778 to 1787, officiating at one time as its President, and was a Representative in Congress under the Federal Constitution from 1793 to 1795. "Mr. Holten affected no parade of living, but chose a truly republican style. He was the poor man's friend, and his hand was open to the relief of misery and indigence." "Blessed with pious parental instructions, his mind became serious at an early age. He was not ashamed of a crucified Saviour. The sacred Scriptures he searched for himself, and did not hesitate to declare that the distinguishing doctrines of grace Lanman's "Biographical Annals"; "Discourse," by Rev. Benjamin Wads worth. |