My Genealogy Hound

JOHN CHARLES HILL, merchant, Wilkinsburg, was born in North Huntingdon, Pa., April 17, 1839, and is the eldest of three sons born to John C. and Catharine (Schilling) Hill; the others were Walter, now on the Westmoreland homestead, and George, who died in 1885. Their great-grandfather was one of the Hessian troops employed against the Americans in the Revolution. His son George was the father of John C., Sr., who, after his marriage, lived for a time in York county, Pa., later settling in Westmoreland, where he died in 1876; his wife died in 1858. When fifteen years old John C. was apprenticed to the machinist’s trade, which occupied him till the outbreak of the civil war. He then joined Co. M, 6th U. S. C., and served three years in the Army of the Potomac, rising to sergeant-major. After the expiration of his term of enlistment he raised a cavalry company, and was commissioned captain by Gov. Curtin, but was not mustered. Mr. Hill served in all the principal engagements of the Army of the Potomac, and had many narrow escapes. After the war he engaged with success in the oil business in West Virginia. In 1868 he moved to Pittsburgh, and began the manufacture of brooms, brushes, etc., and the business now includes wholesale groceries. Mr. Hill purchased his present house at Edgewood in 1882. He is chaplain of the Wilkinsburg G. A. R. post, oldest past master of the A. O. U. W., member of the Masonic fraternity and the R. A., and is president of the Sterrett school board. Mr. Hill married, Jan. 29, 1864, Mary, daughter of John and Sarah Neath, and born in Richmond, Va.; the children by this union are Laura Virginia, Reed Neath, Frank Burdette, Mary Anna and John Charles. The family attend the M. E. Church; Mr. Hill is a republican.