Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/167

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 119 Stephens, he was the contractor for the local county courthouse, still standing as a testimony to the fidelity with which the con- tractors labored. He also built the Presbyterian church, and many other edifices which were erected in the early days. Mr. Hill was born at Hudson, N. H., May 1, 1830, son of Ruben and Mary C. (Chase) Hill, both natives of the Granite state. He attended the district school of his neighborhood, assisted his parents on the farm, and learned the trade of carpentering. Pos- sessed of vigor and strength, he determined to build up his for- tunes in a newer country, where, he had been told, the opportu- nities for one of his trade were very great. As a preliminary to this venture, he worked in a piano-key factory in Winchester, Mass., from 1853 to 1856, and then came with his parents to Red Wing. Upon their arrival here both father and son took up car- penter work, the latter also owning a farm. In the building and carpenter business Ruben Hill continued, dying at Red Wing in May, 1886. His wife died the following June. Daniel, in 1859, started a sash, blind and planing factory, a business which at that time was one of the leading industries of Red Wing, and at which Mr. Hill made a most pronounced success. In 1882 came a flattering offer to take the superintendency of a large fac- tory of a similar nature at Anoka, and this Mr. Hill accepted,, remaining in that place until 1898. He then bought a 110-acre farm in Red Wing township, which is now within the city limits, and upon this farm he still makes his home. Mr. Hill is a Repub- lican in politics and a prominent member of the Presbyterian ?hurch. He has for many years been a member of the Odd Fellows. The respect in which he is held after over half a cen- tury's residence in this city is a tribute to his staunch character and unswerving honesty, as well as to his genial personality. Daniel C. Hill was married the first time in 1858 at Zumbrota, Minn., to Anna S. Hall, a native of Clairemont, N. H., to whom were born four children: Elmer F. is an architect in New York City; Mary married Prof. L. W. Chaney, who was professor at Carleton College for twenty-five years, and is now in the employ of the government ; Elizabeth is a school teacher at Seattle, Wash.; Arthur D. is a ranchman at Victor. Mont. Mrs. Anna Hill died at Red Wing in August, 1882, and Mr. Hill was married the second time at Zumbrota January 22, 1884. to Clara Sander- son, daughter of George and Abbey (Richardson) Sanderson, who settled in Zumbrota in the early days and farmed all their lives. The father died in January, 1902, and the mother is also deceased. To Mr. Hill and Mrs. Clara Hill has been born one son. G. Karl. February 20, 1888, who is still at home.