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         ADAM HILL, a general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 19, Morning Sun Township, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Aug. 4, 1825, and is a son of John and Catherine (Grandstaff) Hill, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. Their marriage was celebrated in the native county of our subject, and the father was a carpenter by trade, following that occupation during his life. In 1841, while on a business trip to the northern part of the State, his death occurred. He was a man who took an active part in all social and political interests, casting his vote with the Democratic party. Mrs. Hill departed this life in Licking County, Ohio, in 1836, and was buried in Newark. They were members of the Baptist Church, and the parents of seven children: George, who died in Ashland, Ohio, about the year 1885; our subject; Elizabeth, who became the wife of James Moore, a farmer of Muskingum County, Ohio; Mary, residing in Randolph County, Mo., is the widow of William Sutton; John started for California in 1851, and has never been heard of since; Franklin died in Louisa County about the year 1876; Miriam makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Moore.

Our subject received his early education in the common schools of his native county, and at the early age of thirteen was apprenticed to the trade of tanner and harness-maker. After the death of the father the estate was swallowed up by the rascality of others, and thus the children of the family were left penniless and forced to fight their way through life. Adam followed his trade until about twenty-four years of age, when he purchased 120 acres of land in Perry County, Ohio. Two years previous to this time, in 1847, he had been united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Green, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Marsh) Green, the father a native of Marietta County, the mother of Franklin County, Ohio. Eight children were born of their union: John, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, married a Miss Mary Langston, and is engaged in farming in Morning Sun Township; George W., born in Perry County, Ohio, has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Frances Bemis, and to them were born two children—Ethel and Frances; the second wife was Alice Wells, and two children grace this union—Edith and Sophia. George W. is a farmer of Elm Grove Township, Louisa County; Lucretia is the wife of John Gardner, a farmer of Elbert County, Col.; Thomas, also born in Perry County, Ohio, was united in marriage, Dec. 18, 1884, with Miss Margaret J. McKnight, a native of Hancock County, Ill.; they have two children—Frank A. and Eva E.; he has a harness-shop in Marsh, Iowa. Chalmer, born in Louisa County, and now engaged in farming in Sully County, Dak., married Miss Sophia Mallock, a native of Cedar Falls, Col.; Daniel, Lorena and Howard, all born in Louisa County, are still residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have given their children good common-school educations, which will fit them for the practical duties of life.

In 1857 Mr. Hill landed in Morning Sun, Louisa County, and there he followed his trade of saddlery and harness making, remaining there until 1865, when he sold his business and purchased 160 acres of land on section 19, and fifteen acres of timber on section 23. When he moved upon the farm a small cabin was almost the only improvement, it standing near where the present comfortable farm residence is erected. He immediately began the cultivation of the land, set out many beautiful shade and fruit trees, placed a splendid hedge fence . . .

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. . . around a four-acre field, and made various other improvements. He stocked his land with a fine grade of horses and Short-horn cattle, and is now considered one of the best farmers and stock-raisers in the vicinity.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill have been members of the Presbyterian Church for forty years, he having been one of the Elders in the First Presbyterian Church at Morning Sun for a quarter of a century. They are both earnest and sincere workers in the temperance cause. Mr. Hill has been a lifelong Democrat, though he is very liberal in his views. Living a life of honesty and integrity, he and his wife receive the highest respect of their neighbors and fellow-citizens.