The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-01-20
DEATH OF WILLIAM HILL.
THE CLOSE OF A LONG AND USEFUL LIFE.

THE CLOSE OF A LONG AND USEFUL LIFE.
Some of the Facts md Incidents in
the Career Of Him who was Once n
Prominent Citizen of Abbevtlle
County. and who Held an ImpOr.
tant Official Position for Seven
teen Years.
William HILL died at his home near Able
vile Court House, on Thursday, january IA,
1SS6, after a prOtracted teeblcness, in his
eighty-iirst year.
At different times within the last few years,
he had suffered great deal with Il bronchial
affection, and the recent very severe weather
80 intensified and aggravated the disease that
his enfcebled constitution could no longer
withstand it, and on the evening of tine 18th
instant, while in his perfect senses, and with
out much apparent suffering, lie breathed his
last. And thus closed Il long and useful life.
which had been identified with Abbcville
county, and all her best interests for more
Than siNtS %carS ard In ii, his death one @ of our M
moved from the daily scenes In which he once
took such an important part.
The death OF one who was so long held In
SO high esteem by his fellow-citizens, de-
serves more than passing notice. The re-
mOval of one whose long and honored life.
presented as fair record as that Of any man
who has ever lived in Abbevile, deserves q
tribute more anu more dCCuIilC GtIdlI
1T is possible for US to write. The good deeds
and the noblencsS of character that distin-
guished our departed friend, lives In the
| minds OF those who are nearer his own age,
While 1t is right and proper that record OF
his life should be made, which will meet re-
ssoonsive chord In the hearts OF those VINO
! knew him best it Is also we'll that the youth
of the country should know something OF
him and his character. Living In dignifed
retirement at his home for the last fifteen
years, he was scarcely known to the present
generation, yet the older citizens knew him
well. They respected his life, and they mourn
his death.
Mr. Hill was horn in County Antrim, Ire
land, in the little town OF Bal allynure on the
18th of May, 1905. He came to the United
States when he was only II years old. landing
in Charleston in the Summer Of 1872. From
| thence he came direct to Abbeville county, Il
commend him except his youth, his high in
tcgrity, his indomitablc will, ana the unfalter-
ing determination TO earn an honorcd posi-
tion among, the people with whom he had
terwartls awarded the efforts of this Irish boy,
affords one Of the best evidences that this
country Is ready to recognize true manhood
and real worth in whomsoever found while
his virtues rs Il boy, rs q man, and as pub
lie officer are worthy OF all Imitation by every
one who may have the spirit and the Will TO
succeed in life. In his life and I'm the success
which crowned his efforts, the ambitious
him, even though he bc surrounded Dy
adverse circumstances, and should find in
his path the thousand and one obstacles
which always stand in the way of the strug-
Having brought with him from Ireland let
tcrs of introduction to various persons In this
country, among them Major John Donnald,
from whom the village of Donadsvlle takes
It's name. he in that way made the acquaint.
ance Of Anna Hamilton Donnald, the eldest
daughter of Major Donnald, and the result
| flof} ~, ohnn fIpn hnr
were married and settled on farm about
midway between Donaldsville and Honea
Path. and whereon the late David Moore was
living at the time OF his death. Being entire
| ~ untitled both by early training and incllna-
ton for agricultural pursuits he soon tired or
the occupation of farmer, and about sixty
years ago commenced to sell goods at the
Buck Stand" in little unprctentious log
between Abbeville amt Due West. About that
time his father-in.law. Major nonnald, came
into possession of the farm which he after.
wards gave to his daughter, Mrs. Hill, and
his death. They together opened q store
there where they continued to do business for
several years. Major Donnald afterwards with
drew from the business which WAS carried ON
for some time by MIR. Hill alone
| At the outbreak of the Seminole war In Flor
ida q call was made by the government for
troops to- fight the Indians, ami Mr.. Hill was
among the first to offer his services to his
Sergeant in the company which was COM
manded by Captain Thomas Parker. Captain
o vSuneePps from this e"anty ad e%a OF ali
those who served with him in that company,
there are but two yet living viz: MIR. John
Pratt. who lives near Due West and Mr.. Will
| liam Mundy, Of the Dead Fall section.
About thirty-five years ago, he was associ-
ated in the mercantile business in this place
for number of years with j. Albert Allen, de-
ceascd,-their store room being IN what was
| tI,n,, /. thn 1,l1il n W Ch
stood on the site now occupied by ''Whtte's
block" After this he was employed as book
keeper by John McIlwain, who merchandised
at the corner where the granite block of build
ings now stand. He remained with McllWain
a number OF years, and until the death of the
latter, and possessed his unlimited confidence.
On the death of John Mc1lwain, Mr.. Hill, at
the urgent solicitation Of those most interest,"
cd In the estate OF the deceased, became h!sad-
ministrator and settled up the very large eS-
tate entirely to the satisfaction Of nil concern
ed. Thus it was that he began to work his
way into public notice and the confidence of
his fcllowman, which lie ever afterwards
maintained.
He was engaged as clerk in the office Of Or
and on his death Mr.. Hill was brought out by
his friends rs q candidate for election to that
office. He was opposed by the gallant Lieu
tenant +. w. Scllcck; who was fresh from the
| Mexican war with all the eclat which his dis
tinguished services so richly mcrited. In this
race Mr.. Hill was beaten by q small majority,
but at the expiration Of Lieutenant Selleck S
term in the fall OF. 1852, Mr., Hill again
became II candidate for the office and was
| elected, and he was reelected from time to
time, and filled that Office from 1852 until 1865,
with great ncceptability to the people,
when he was again elected to the same Office,
but which was then changed to- and Is still
known as, the office of Probate Judge. This Of
flee he held until the radical party took
control of affairs in this country in 1869. The
books and records of that office, embracing
the period Of his admnist ration. are u mOnu-
ment to his fine business capacity-and In the
fact of his constant reelection to this impnr-
tant office, for so many terms, bears the high
est testimony of his worth as n man, and Of
his fidelity to the trusts which had been i'm.
posed In him.
Since his retirement from public office, with
the exception of q short while In which he
was engaged in the mercantile business as
one of the firm of White, Hill & Cunningham
and retired " life at the old Homestead
! He was Il member of the Presbyterian church
having Joined at Upper Long Cane some thir-
ty years ago, while the same was under the
ministerial charge of the Rev. Mr.. Montgom-
; Masonic lodge at this place, by whose mem
bers he was held in the hghe esteem.
Whilst not having enjoyed very great edu-
catonal advantages in his youth, yet being
! ing an extensive reader he had acquired such
II fund of varied information as rendered him
Il most interesting and instructive cOmpan-
ion. While he had 4 general knowledge of
that pertained to Observation-Disclosures Of estates
was thorough and unerring. His familiarity
with all the obligations and duties of his office
was never questioned. Upon his efficiency as
Il public officer, and upon his disposition to
bctricnd those who came in contact with him,
Was based his strong hold upon theconfidcncc
and the affections of the people. He was no
politician. lie had fixed principles. He had