Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 7.djvu/426

386 the latter position for many years. He never made politics a business, however, and never sought public office at the hands of his fellow-citizens. Against his own desire he was nominated on two occasions, in years past, as the candidate of his party for Mayor of Concord, receiving, in each instance, a vote considerably in excess of the party strength.

At the last election in this State Mr. Hill was the Democratic candidate for Governor, having been nominated in opposition to his own wishes and inclinations, from the general conviction on the part of leading Democrats throughout the State, that his name would materially strengthen the party cause before the people. How well grounded was this conviction, and how great was the public confidence in his ability, integrity, and special fitness for the chief magistracy of the State is evidenced by the fact that while the Republican electors received a plurality in the State of 3,957, Moody Currier, the Republican candidate for Governor, a gentleman of great wealth, who had long sought the office and labored earnestly to secure a heavy vote, had a plurality of only 2,767 over Mr. Hill, or 1,190 less than that of the Republican electoral ticket. The popular regard in which he is held by the people of his own city is also shown by the fact, that while the Republican electoral ticket had a plurality in Concord of 403, the Republican plurality on the Governor vote was only 55. That he will be renominated and elected Governor of New Hampshire by the Democracy in 1886, under the favorable conditions resulting from a Democratic national administration, is as reasonably certain as anything in the future may be. It is, moreover, certain that if thus renominated and elected, he will carry to the position that measure of firm integrity, unflinching devotion to duty, thorough appreciation of the needs and demands of the State, and that high order of executive ability, which will distinguish his administration as one of the most successful in the political history of the State, bringing fresh honor to the illustrious name he bears, and added strength to the party and the cause he serves.

Although not a communicant, Mr. Hill has been, from childhood a constant attendant upon the worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and has contributed liberally of his means for maintainance of the same, and for the support of all the auxilliaries of the Church work.

He was united in marriage in 1842 with Miss Elizabeth Lord Chase, of South Berwick, Maine, by whom he has had two sons, one of whom died in infancy. The surviving son. Rev. Howard F. Hill, is the popular rector of Christ Church, at Montpelier, Vermont.