Alan Steppe
James J. Hill was a prominent American railroad executive and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of the American West. Born on September 16, 1838, in Ontario, Canada, Hill became known as the “Empire Builder” for his instrumental role in constructing the Great Northern Railway, one of the major transcontinental railroads in the United States.
Hill’s career in the railroad industry began in the early 1870s when he and a group of investors purchased a struggling Minnesota railroad company. Recognizing the potential for growth and expansion, Hill embarked on an ambitious plan to extend the railway westward, connecting the Great Lakes region to the Pacific Northwest. Under his leadership, the Great Northern Railway eventually spanned from Duluth, Minnesota, to Seattle, Washington.
What set Hill apart from his contemporaries was his innovative approach to railroad construction and operation. Rather than relying on government subsidies or land grants, Hill financed much of the project through private funding. This allowed him greater control over the construction process and ensured the financial stability of the railway. Hill also emphasized efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and high-quality service, which helped the Great Northern Railway become a successful and profitable enterprise.
James J. Hill Children
Mary Frances (Mamie) Hill
Mary Frances, the oldest child of James J. and Mary T. Hill, was born on August 3, 1868, in the Hills’ first home located at Canada and Pearl streets in St. Paul.
In the 1870s, Mary Francis, also known as Mamie, started her education at Visitation Convent Academy. She was the first of the Hill daughters to go to school there.
She got engaged to Samuel Hill, who happened to be one of her father’s employees, in the spring of 1888. Sam graduated from Harvard and then worked at the local law firm, Jackson, Atwater and Hill. However, he was later hired by James J. Hill and had the opportunity to work in different roles at the railway, eventually becoming the head of the Montana Central Railroad.
James Norman (Jimmy) Hill
Jimmy was born on February 13, 1870, at a home located on Hill’s Canada and Pearl Street in St. Paul.
James, also known as Jimmy, received his middle name as a tribute to his father’s close business associate and friend, Norman Kittson.
He started his education in 1878 with a tutor named August N. Chemidlin, who was a Frenchman trained by the Jesuits. It seems that the decision to send him to this school was a result of a compromise between the local public schools, which the Hills believed had a Protestant bias, the newly established Catholic schools, and his parents’ wish to avoid sending him to a boarding school. Jimmy, when he was a boy, also tried his hand at violin lessons, but unfortunately, he didn’t find much success in it.
Louis Hill
Louis Warren Hill was born on May 19, 1872, at his family’s cottage located in the Lowertown neighborhood of St. Paul. He was given the name Louis in honor of a family friend named Father Louis Caillet.
Louis received a similar education to his older brother James Norman. He began taking lessons in 1878 with August N. Chemidlin at the Hill’s Ninth and Canada house. From 1884 to 1887, he continued his education there with Professor Fairbanks.
Later on, Louis attended Phillips Exeter Academy, but he didn’t do as well as Jimmy. James J. and Mary T. Hill sent letters to their two sons while they were attending Exeter and Yale University. In the letters, they encouraged their sons to put in more effort and study harder. Even though tutors tried their best, Louis couldn’t meet the ancient languages requirement to get into Yale. So, he decided to join Yale’s Sheffield Scientific School in 1890 for a three-year program. He successfully completed the program and graduated in the spring of 1893, alongside his brother.
Clara Hill
Clara Ann was born on December 4, 1873, at the Hill’s Ninth and Canada cottage in the Lowertown neighborhood of St. Paul.
On January 11, 1874, Father Caillet performed Clara’s baptism. According to accounts, Clara was described as a shy and petite young girl who was not particularly strong.
Clara had a kindergarten teacher named Mill Adams who taught at their house during the years 1878-79. It’s possible that Clara received home tutoring for a few years, but from 1885 to 1890, she went to Visitation Convent Academy in St. Paul along with her younger sisters Charlotte and Ruth. I saw some photographs from the Ninth and Canada house, and they showed Clara playing the piano. During the autumn of 1890, the three girls were registered as students at the Misses Ely’s School in Brooklyn, New York.
Katherine (Katie) Hill
Katherine Theresa, also known as Katie or Katy, was born at a cottage located at Ninth and Canada in St. Paul. She was never in good health and unfortunately passed away shortly before her first birthday.
We don’t know the exact reason for the person’s death. Katie’s final resting place is Calvary Cemetery in St. Paul. They moved her remains from Calvary in 1986 and buried them in the Hill family section of Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Charlotte Hill
Charlotte was born on February 26, 1877, in the Dayton’s Bluff farmhouse located on the east side of St. Paul. At that time, her family was living there until their new house on Ninth and Canada was finished.
Charlotte went to Visitation Academy along with her sisters. In the fall of 1890, they all moved to the Misses Ely’s School in Brooklyn. Charlotte completed her studies there and graduated in the spring of 1893. As a child, she learned to play the violin and was known for being more sociable and outgoing compared to her sisters. Charlotte had a great time playing sports, and there are lots of pictures from the early rounds that show her having fun with her friends at the Hill House.
Ruth Hill
Ruth was born on January 31, 1879, at a house located at the intersection of Hills’ Ninth and Canada in St. Paul.
Ruth went to Visitation Academy from 1887 to 1890. After that, in the fall of 1890, she and her sisters went to the Misses Ely’s School in Brooklyn, New York.
In 1895-96, Ruth had the opportunity to travel to Europe with her two older sisters, Clara and Charlotte. They were accompanied by a governess during their trip. It seems like one of the purposes of this trip was to enhance their French and German language skills. After that, Ruth went to a boarding school called Miss Peebles and Miss A. K. Thompson’s French and English Boarding School in 1896-1897.
Rachel Hill
Rachel was born on May 21, 1881, at the Hill’s Ninth and Canada residence in St. Paul.
Rachel was known for her quiet and dignified demeanor during her younger years as a girl and young woman. She was really good at sewing, making dresses, and doing embroidery. In addition, she spent time working in the gardens at the Hill House and was involved in various charitable activities. She fell seriously ill with diphtheria in December 1887.
Rachel went to Visitation Academy in St. Paul until 1896. After that, she and her sister Ruth were sent to a boarding school called Miss Peebles and Miss A. K. Thompson’s French and English Boarding School, located on East 57th Street in New York City. Rachel and Gertrude began attending Miss Spence’s School for Girls in 1898. The school was located at 6 West 48th Street. Rachel completed her studies and received her diploma in the year 1900.
Gertrude Hill
Gertrude was born on March 4, 1883, at a house located at the Hills’ Ninth and Canada in St. Paul.
At the age of nine, Gertrude wrote a letter to President Grover Cleveland, who her father had met. She wanted to let him know that her birthday and his second inauguration would happen on the same day. In response, the President sent her a picture with his autograph.
Gertrude went to Visitation Academy from 1894 to 1899. She then graduated from Miss Spence’s School in New York in May 1901. Gertrude was the tallest sister, so she is usually seen standing at the back in group photographs.
Walter Jerome Hill
Walter was born on February 21, 1885, at the Hills’ Ninth and Canada residence in St. Paul.
When Walter was a young boy, he had long blonde hair and would often be seen in family photographs wearing the fashionable Little Lord Fauntleroy-style outfits that were popular at the time. When the family relocated to Summit Avenue, Walter received his education from governesses and tutors. They all studied together in the schoolroom on the third floor, along with his older sisters Gertrude and Rachel.
