Nevada County CA Archives Obituaries.....Hill, George Washington March 3, 1903
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Daily Tidings-Telegraph: Grass Valley, California, Wed. Mar 4, 1903
Daily Tidings-Telegraph: Grass Valley, Cal.
Wednesday Evening, March 4, 1903.

HAS CROSSED THE ETERNAL DIVIDE

Aged Pioneer Dies Full of Years and Honor

George W. Hill Passes Away at His Home Last Evening After a Lingering Illness

Another prominent pioneer has crossed the eternal divide and in the future will be
known only in the 
memory of those who enjoyed his friendship on this mundane sphere.  Another sturdy
precursor of the 
great and glorious civilization which we of the twentieth century enjoy in this
empire state has passed 
to his immortal reward and ere this has solved the mysteries of death.

Last evening George W. Hill passed in the quiet, peaceful sleep that knows no
waking.  The end was not 
unexpected by the loving relatives who had gathered in the death chamber to watch
the life slowly ebb 
from the once sturdy, robust frame.  For many years the health of the deceased had
been failing, and 
on several occasions he has been at the point of death.  But his vigorous system
always sustained him 
and he would unfailingly rally from the jaws of the grim monster.  His cheerful
disposition and 
undaunted courage had much to do with his recurring rehabilitation and his life was
prolonged beyond 
the average span of human existence.  But as all men must inevitably submit to the
last call, so he has 
finally answered the ultimatum of death.

About three years ago he was confined to his home and his familiar face and figure
have been missed 
in the business portion of the city.  He has never left his home in all that time,
being a confirmed invalid 
and unable to take any physical exercise.  While his death was not unexpected, it
came as a severe blow 
to his family, and hundreds in this city will mourn his loss.

George W. Hill was born in Canton, New York, in 1827, and he was 75 years, 4 months
and 7 days old 
at the time of his death.  He was, like most other boys when growing up, full of
boyish pranks and the 
amusements so dear to the youthful heart.  He was possessed of more than ordinary
intelligence and 
sagacity, and he soon found himself ahead in his scholastic studies.  He was gifted
with a keen intellect 
and as a wit he had few equals among his classmates.  He possessed a happy and
jovial disposition and 
was a prime favorite with his associates.  He excelled in the art of penmanship and
was well versed in 
the higher branches of learning.  As an accountant he was distinguished for the
speed and accuracy 
with which he transacted all the business entrusted to him.  He has probably held
more responsible 
clerical positions than any other man in Nevada county, and he has always discharged
his duties with 
credit to himself and honor to his sponsors.

For many years he was the secretary of the Idaho, Rocky Bar, Gold Hill, and North
Fork Mining 
Companies.  He was also secretary of Madison Lodge, No. 23, F. and A.M., and Grass
Valley Chapter, 
No. 18, R.A.M.  He always took an active interest in the work and welfare of the
Masonic fraternity, and 
up to the time of his retirement a few years ago he was regarded as a distinguished
member.

When the gold fever broke out in the early fifties he was among those who wanted to
make fame and 
fortune on the shores of the Pacific.  He was fired with the ambition to go West,
consequently in 1852 
he was found among that noble band of pioneers who were blazing the pathway of
civilization.  The 
new life, with its exciting and adventurous episodes, had a strong fascination for
his ambitious nature, 
and instead of remaining in what were then the commercial centers of the Golden
State, he soon found 
himself in the heart of the gold fields, laboring earnestly and energetically in the
quest of the precious 
metal.  He loved in his declining years to recount the many interesting and
attractive phases of pioneer 
life and the scenes which were incident thereto.

His first mining was done in El Dorado County, and here he struggled and worked
until 1853, when he 
went to Sierra County.  He mined there for more than a year, but becoming
dissatisfied with the 
environment he left and returned to his old stamping ground in El Dorado County in
1854.  He 
remained for a few months on the scene of his first efforts in the land of gold, and
then left for the old 
homestead in the East.  He remained in New York until 1858, when his ambition again
fired him and he 
once more turned his face toward the land of the setting sun.  It was then that he
settled in Grass 
Valley, which was at the time a bustling, prosperous mining town, and here he has
since remained with 
his family.

In 1854 he married the wife who is left to mourn his death, in Canada during his
visit in the East.  Her 
maiden name was Harriet Ellison, and had he lived another year he would have had the
happy privilege 
of celebrating his golden wedding anniversary.  To this marriage were born two
daughters, who survive 
him.  They are Mrs. A. Stewart of this city and Mrs. D.D. Bowman of the state of
Washington.  His 
married life was a most auspicious one and he was strongly devoted to his home. 
Love and domestic 
harmony reigned in that charming little family circle, and for hours together he
would sit by the open 
fireside during the long, dreary winter nights and amuse his wife and daughters.  He
loved them with 
an imperishable affection and they idolized him because of his generous,
whole-souled nature.  And 
now it is theirs to say, "O for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a
voice that is still!"  It was 
his proud boast that no place was so sacred as the fireside of his home and no power
so inspiring as 
the love and affection of his family.

About ten years ago he retired from the bustle and worry of business life.  For
several years he had 
conducted an extensive and lucrative insurance business in conjunction with his
duties as mining 
secretary and being of a shrewd thrifty nature he accumulated a competence which
enabled him to 
enjoy life in a quiet happy way.  He was neither selfish nor grasping, and having
reached a period when 
nature demanded that he shoould sit down quietly and watch the shades of life's
evening as they were 
gathering like a welcome shroud on his pathway, he was content to leave the
management of 
commercial affairs to more youthful and vigorous hands.

Of George W. Hill, the man, friend, and patriot, nothing but words of eulogy can be
written.  He was one 
of Nature's noblemen, and in his heart there lurked nothing of evil.  He had a kind,
cheerful word for 
everyone and most ment were proud to call him friend.  Of children he was abnormally
fond, and many 
a person who has since gorwn to manhood's estate remember with pleasure the gentle
pat on the 
shoulder which always awaited them when the old gentleman came along.

In business affairs he was a man of integrity and honor.  His word was security of
his act and he was 
universally trusted by his business associates.  He was a man of keen perception and
commercial 
acumen, and many times he was consulted before an important investment was made.

He made friends readily and, what is rare in most men, he had the faculty of keeping
them.  As a 
racontour he had few equals in this part of the state.  He would sit for hours and
regale his friends with 
stories of pioneer life and they would always listen with interest and admiration. 
His quaint, droll 
expression always provoked mirth and was often the source of amusement to a social
gathering.  In his 
death this city loses a faithful, honored citizen, and his family a loving and
benevolent protector.

The funeral will be held from the family residence tomorrow morning at 10:30
o'clock.  It will be under 
the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, and that it it will be an impressive scene
there is little reason to 
doubt.

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