Hill, James L.

Born: 1813-05-03 Knoxville, Tennessee

Died: 1897-04-07 Mason County, Illinois

Flourished: 1835-1880 Springfield, Illinois

James L. Hill lived in Sangamon County, Illinois, as early as 1835. In 1843, he went into business as a debt collector and financial agent. In February 1847, he became an agent for the Illinois Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Hill later represented additional insurance companies, and expanded his business as a collector, financial agent, and real estate agent. He partnered in the Springfield firm of Snow, Hill & Company with Richard P. Snow and John B. Moffett, which was succeeded on its dissolution in February 1850 by the firm of Snow & Hill. Later that same year, Hill sold his interest in the business. In the 1840s and 1850s, he was active in Whig politics in Springfield; he ran for city offices numerous times, including mayor, register, and treasurer. By 1860, he owned $5,000 worth of real estate and $1,000 worth of personal property. Hill married Sarah C. Gregory in 1833 and was survived by six children at his death.

Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, 25 December 1833, Warren County (Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, 2016); Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales, Sangamon County, 68:214, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Sangamon County, IL, 118; U.S. Census Office, Eighth Census of the United States (1860), Sangamon County, IL, 128; Whig City Meeting; Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 19 January 1843, 1:3; 11 January 1844, 1:1; 8 May 1845, 3:5; 4 February 1847, 2:7; 18 March 1847, 2:2; Illinois Daily Journal (Springfield), 24 February 1849, 3:2; 13 April 1850, 3:5; 10 September 1850, 3:1; 12 March 1851, 3:2; 23 March 1854, 3:2; 16 May 1854, 2:6; Daily Register (Springfield, IL), 11 February 1850, 2:4; The Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 8 April 1897, 6:4; Gravestone, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, IL.