Sound and Visual Collection
James Jerome Hill was born near Guelph, Ontario on September 16, 1838. He came to St. Paul in 1856, where he first worked as a shipping clerk for J. W. Bass and Company. Between 1856 and 1859 he prospered in a series of wood and coal merchandising partnerships. He was general manager (1879-1882) and president (1883-1890) of the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway Company. In 1890 the railroad became the Great Northern Railway Company, with Hill as president (1890-1907) and later chairman of the board (1907-1912). Hill died in St. Paul on May 29, 1916.
Mary Theresa Mehegan was born in New York City on July 1, 1846. In 1850 she came with her family to St. Paul. She attended finishing school at St. Mary's Institute (Milwaukee, Wis., 1864-1867) and married James J. Hill on August 19, 1867. Mary Hill was long active in St. Paul's Catholic community. She died on November 22, 1921.
The Hills' children included: Mary Francis, known as "Mamie" (Mrs. Samuel Hill, 1868-); James Norman Hill (1870-1932); Louis Warren Hill (1872-1948); Clara Anne, or Anna (Mrs. Erasmus C. Lindley, 1873-1947); Charlotte (Mrs. George T. Slade, [ca.1876]-1923); Ruth (Mrs. Anson Beard, 1879-); Rachel (Mrs. Egil Boeckmann, [ca.1882]-1967); Gertrude (Mrs. Michael Gavin, [ca.1884]-1961); and Walter J. Hill (1885-1944). A daughter, Katie, died in infancy (1876).
Rachel Hill married physician Egil Boeckmann in 1913 at the Hill House at 240 Summit. Boeckmann had been a football hero for the University of Minnesota. They lived at 366 Summit Avenue in a home that is still standing. They frequently entertained Rachel's parents at their home and Rachel and her daughters lived at 240 Summit for a few years ca 1918-1922. Egil and Rachel had two daughters, Mary and Gertrude. Gertrude married Peter Harvie Ffolliott in 1942.
Selected
Accession number: AV2007.119
Processed by: Jennifer Huebscher, December 2008.
Catalog ID number: 990067288740104294