Harry W. Hill (1923)

HILL, HOSKINS, THOMAS, JOHNSON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/19/2010 at 16:21:43

Earlham Echo – April 5, 1923

Harry W. Hill, son of Mark D. and Mary Hill, was born July 20, 1877 in Earlham, Iowa, where his early life was spent. He was one of six children in this family, three of whom are still living. He was one of the two in the first graduating class of the Earlham Friends Academy. He entered Penn College but his love and appreciation of his father caused him to leave before graduating to take the place as cashier in the Citizens State Bank of Earlham, thus relieving his over-burdened father of business -----. This position he held until October, 1906, when he accepted the presidency of the bank. Here he proved himself to be a wise, genial, ambitious business man; he took a personal interest in all his patrons—their burdens and problems were his won. He sought to give help wherever he could in an honest, upright manner.

He was married to Martha Hoskins on the 9th of November, 1905 at Earlham, Iowa and began housekeeping in the house in which they spent the 17 years of their married life. He found inspiration at his own fireside and approached the ideal in his domestic life. He and his faithful wife, who was his helpmate and loving companion, inhabited, as tenants in common, the sacred spot called home. The invisible walls that shut in that home and shut out all else, had their foundations upon earth and their battlements in the skies and at the gates thereof Love and confidence stood guard.

Into such a home and to such devoted hearts, came one child, a daughter, Mary. Around her life was thrown such love and devotion as few children know. Her life was as well guarded from sin as the loving hearts and the Godly faith of parents could guard a young life.

Harry Hill was a birthright member of the Friends Church and early in life was converted and through the years has led an active, sincere Christian life. His devotion to and with in God has been an inspiration to his pastors and fellow members. He gave gladly and freely of his service, time and means for the church. He has always held important offices in the local church and Yearly Meeting. At the time of his death he was an Overseer and Trustee and one of the members of the Board of Finance. He also held an office in the Yearly Meeting and had been one of the Board Members of Penn College for a number of ---------(paper torn) The young people of Iowa Yearly Meeting owe him a great debt because of his service and giving to gain and hold the standard Penn College now holds.

His cheerful spirit and radiant face brought inspiration to all and shed a radiance all about him. He leaves the little daughter, Mary, his aged parents, Mark and Mary Hill, one brother, Luther Hill, all of Whittier, California; two sisters Mrs. Lucian Thomas of Imperial, California, and Mrs. Carl Johnson of Oskaloosa, Iowa, beside other relatives and a multitude of friends who loved him well.

Death came to him suddenly and unexpectedly but it did not find him unprepared, for all his life had been a preparation, so living here as to deserve a higher and better life.
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Winterset Madisonian – April 15, 1923
Pg 7
Earlham

The funeral of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hill and Mrs. Richard Hoskins, who were killed at the Randolph hotel more than two weeks ago, was held at the Friends church, of which all were active members, on Thursday afternoon. The Rock Island railway sent a special train from Des Moines, bringing three cars filled with people from Des Moines, Oskaloosa and other places for the funeral. There were at least 1,000 people present as the last sad rites were said over the three caskets in front of the pulpit. Two truck loads of flowers were beautifully arranged as a background for and on these three caskets, containing the bodies of some of the best loved citizens of our town.

The service was conducted by Rev. McGrew, president of Penn college, and Rev. Nelson, pastor of the Friends church and the obituaries were written and read by Mrs. Lenna Lescault. It was a sad sight as the hearses, preceded by eighteen pall bears, started to the cemetery, which led past the recent home of the Hills, and on to the last resting place of these beloved ones who have laid their burdens of earth down and are now rejoicing where sorrow and pain will never come.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill were laid side by side in a double grave. Their little daughter, Mary, is still a great sufferer and has not been told of the death of her parents. The Hoskins girls, with the exception of Lucile, all know of the death of their mother, but were unable to be up at the time of the funeral and are still in bed and will be for perhaps many weeks.

Note: Burial was made in the Earlham cemetery.

Gravestone Photo
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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