New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-09-27
CONGRESSMAN HILL
CLAIMED BY death
Had Served Fourth Conn. District
for Twenty Years
WAS EXPERT ON TARIFF

House of Representatives
by Heat Last July.
Norwalk, Conn.,, Sept, 27.-Con-
home here this morning at 2: Is after
an illness of several weeks. The end
came peacefully after a painful sink
ing spell early last evening, which was
succeeded by painless interval dur
ing which he died.
Congressman Hills serious illness
dates from late last July when he
was overcome by the heat in Wash
ington where he had gone to vote on
an urgent war measure. He had not
return from the capital, has not been
out of his bed.
Several times since then he has
been at the point Of death only to
rally strongly at times giving his
relatives hopes of entire recovery.
His death at this time came unex-
pectedly as his condition lately had
shown some betterment.
Ebenezer ]. Hill, Republican, who
was serving his eleventh term in
congress, was born at Redding.
Conn, August 4. 1S45, and entered
Yale in the class of 1855. In 1868 he
joined the army as civilian and
remained until the conclusion of the
war. In 1892 he received from Yale
the honorary degree Of master of
arts. At the close of the war he en-
gagged in business. He was elected
to the 54th congress, and successive
ly to the 55th, 56th, 57th, 58th,
59th, 6Oth, 61st, and 62nd con-
crosses. He was defeated by Jere-
miah Donovan, Democrat, for the
1913-15 term, but was reelected to
the 64th and again returned to con-
gress in the last general election.
Mr.. Hill had held the commercial
positions of secretary and treasurer
of the Norwalk Iron Works, presi-
dent of the Norwalk Street Railway
company, president of the Norwalk
time Of his death president of the
Nationaf bank OF Norwalk. .--.,~s-.s s.
Mr. Hill was q past grand master
and past grand representative of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
of Connecticut, had served twice as
burgess Of Norwalk, twice as chair
man of the board of school visitors,
was the Fourth district delegate to
the republican national convention
of 1894, was a member Of the Con-
necticut senate for 1SS6-s7, served
one term on the republican state
central committee and was chair
man of the republican state conven-
ton at Hartford in the fall of 1910,
which nominated after a sensational
session Charles A. Goodwin for gov
arr0r over Everett T lake.
To fill the vacancy caused by the
death of representative in congress
the constitution of the United States
provides that each state shall make
provision. The Connecticut legisla-
! ture provided for this Chapter 1887
says that the governor shall issue
writs for an election In the congress
sional district in which a vacancy is
caused.
Frank B. Brandegee, now senior
United States senator was elected to
fill the vacancy caused by the death
of Congressman Charles A. Russell
in 1903. under the law above men
toned.
The body Of Congressman Hill will
lie in state in the Norwalk Methodist
church on Saturday until two O'Clock.
A guard of honor, comprising several
w
not been announced by the family,
will stand near the body during those
hours. The funeral will be held at
$3.50 o'clock Saturday afternoon.
Congressman Hill is survived by his
= wife, an older sister, Mrs. Charlettee
Hill Weed, wife of a Los Angeles
Methodist minister, three daughters
the Misses Clara and Elsie Hill and
Mrs. Helena Hill Weed and three
grandchildren, Eleanor Hill Weed,
Midshipman Walter Hill Weed. of the
United States naval academy, and
? Mary Hill Weed.
The House of Representatives to-
day adjourned after a brief session
In honor of the memory Of the Mr..
HILL Speaker Champ Clark appointed
all members of the ways and means
committee and representatives Angus
tine Lonergan, John L. Tilson, Rich
, ard Freeman and James P. Glynn
r Connecticut; Frederick Gillette, Allen
T. Treadway, Massachusetts,; and
William A. Rodenberg Of Illinois, a
committee to attend the funeral
Members of the ways and means COM
rrittee who are in conference will not
attend.
Senator Brandegee of Connecticut
paid a brief tribute to Rep. Hill, after
which the senate adopted resolution
to name committee of eight to at
tend the funeral and adjourned until
- Saturday noon.