Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-26

the review OF the Noteworthy biogra-
phical events imparting interest to
their respective careers, are in them
selves themes alike conducive to much
pleasing and profitable discussion. And
soitis with feeling OF measurable graf
ifcation that we approach the self-ap-
pointed task or recording a cursory
tribute to the revered memory OF an
iliustrious Georgian, whose name and
fame will always remain the proud
heritage OF his maternal common
wealth. st --.., ...I.sa -.
Benjamin Harvey Hill, our brilliant
subject. first saw the light at Hills
boro, Jasper county, Georgia. the date
OF his suspicious nativity being the
18th of September, 1923. His father.
John Hill. was OF Irish extract. and
was an honest-hearted farmer OF limit
ed education, but possessed Of a
strong individuality. extensive read
ing and deep reflection" With him re-
ligion and temperance were the primal
considerations. and to their enthusiasts
tic cultivation he dedicated his God
fearing and unsullIed life. His mother,
a5aMiss Parham, while referring her
lineage to Welsh sources, was a lady
whose cofnmendable example, helpful
teachings and Christian temperament
exerted potent influence in forming
the honorable characters of her chill
dren. Both OF Mr.. Hills parents were.
moreover, consistent members of the
Methodist church, and thus will 1t be
seen that the atmosphere in which his
distinguished lot was cast, though mod
est from a monetary standpoint, was
illumined by the lamp OF Christianity,
energlzed by the rays Of the most ex-
eellent common sense and perneated
with spirit Of incorruptible integrity.
j. From an early age our honored sub
ject labored In association with his
brothers and a few slaves of his faith
er's farm. When he wasAten years old
HIS father saw At to transfer his place
Of residence from Hillsboro to Long
Cane, a small town In Troup county,
near the western confines of the com
monwealth. Amid these rustic sur
roundings was the period of Mr.. Hills
sturdy boyhood continuously spent his
his vigorous cooperation in the effort
= to contribute to the support of their
; large and struggling family being al
ways In evidence. During all this time.
the only scholastic training which he
received was such as was peripateti-
cally enjoyed at the adjacent country
schools. In proof of his steady pro-
agress. despite the STERN and unsympa-
thetic conditions with which he was
forced 10 contend, we record the fact
that at sixteen he was strong and ro-
: bust, physically and mentally eager
and ambitious" So earnest, indeed,
was his desire for thorough and sys-
tematic education, and so rapid was his
mastery of the incidental lessons, that
his father resolved to place at his dis
posal the best instructlonal facilities
TO be obtained. And so we find our
subject in 1899. unremittingly engaged
49,. Ng4& -.
p for admission to Franklin college, sub
4 sequently known as the University OF
Georgia. Two years later. through the
combined aid of the older members OF
his immediate circle, HIS heartfelt
wish was gratihed, and he became a
sophomore mAtriculate OF the venerable
institution at Athens. Brilliant was
his career as a university student. and
richly did he repay the confidence low
ingly. bestowed by the. dear ones so
solieitous for his advancement. In
testimony to his marked proficiency in
all departments 1t may be mentioned
that when, in 1874. he graduated, 1t
was with the proud, consciousness of
having achieved the most signal schol-
astic distinction IN the college. Aside
from his jealous application while a
.. pupil of this seminary, IL will also be
remembered that he acquired. note
: worthy reputation as a debater. Here
IT was that he laid, broad and. deep,
the magnificent substructure OF his
matchless seloduence; and the Demos
thenian Literary society. to which he
belonged, is stiH instinct with his ora
P torical triumps, tenderly cherishing the
stalwart memories which this fearless
and silver-tonEied disputant has there
perpetuated. Upon his completion Of
the designated curriculum. he at once
addressed himself of the study of law,
and TO this end entered the Office of
William Dougherty, a bright, par
ticular star" in the profession which
he masterfully adorned. The great law
yer, we are advised, took special in
terest in his ambitious pupil, and after
the lapse OF a twelvemonth Mr.. Hill
was, in Heard county, Georgia. admit
ted to the bar. being invested with all
the rights and prerogatives as apper-
. tanning to a legal practitioner. AS an
evidence of the thoroughness of his
training for his. chosen life-work, it
may be stated that so soon as he estab-
lished himself in LaGrange, Troup's
county seat. In August, 1915, career
OF prominence was forthwith unfolded
before his aspiring vision. Contempor-
aneously with the inception OF his pro-
fessional employment. II will be re-
to his life partner, Miss Caroline f.
Holt OF Athens. the lady in question,
while connected with one of Georgia's
oldest families, being specially favored
as to fortune, beauty and accomplish
ments. Thereupon settling down with
his young bride in his selected home,
he directed his attention to the various
demands growing out OF his chosen
pursuit, which was from the first to be
attended with unexampled prosperity.
Thus did he continue through his pro-
fessional triumphs to strengthen him
self in the popular regard and to- rem
der more splendid the edifice OF his
legal renown which his luminous abili-
ty has so wonderfully upbuilt.
In 1851 politics came to interrupt the
even tenor of his professional engage
ments, which had. for six years past.
beer, regularly and most satisfactorily
met At that time Mr.. Hill was COM
plimented with election as member Of
the Georgia legislature, and from the
date Of this representative incumbency
he was a recognized leader of the
Wing party in the commonwealth.
When that party was dissolved several
years later he transferred his political
allegiance to the American or Know
Nothing contingent, and he was. hence
forth heralded as the rock-ribbed
champion of that newly formed con-
clave But when he submitted his
claims for congressional preferment in
1856. though in practical accord with
the principles of the organization
vyhereWith he had become aligned, Il