David Hill

History of Oklahoma by Luther Hill
published in 1908
Pages 187 ~ 188

DAVE HILL

Familiarly and favorably known throughout Grady county is Dave Hill, of Chickasha, whose business interests in this part of Oklahoma have been so prominent, and so eminently successful, that a brief account of his life and career will, doubtless, prove interesting to many, reading more like a tale of fiction than like sober fact. A son of J. B. Hill, he was born, January 13, 1867, in Franklin county, Kentucky, but was reared in Texas.

In 1872, J. B. Hill removed with his family to Denton county, Texas, and at the end of five years made another removal, locating, in 1877, in Callahan county, on the very frontier of the Lone Star State. There he continued a stock-raiser and dealer until his death, in 1889, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Jones, died in Callahan county, Texas, in 1878, leaving eight children, namely: E. C., of Callahan county, Texas, who became the head of the family upon the death of the mother; Alice, deceased, married David McGee; Thomas, of Abilene, Texas; Kate; wife of Moses Franklin, of Baird, Texas; Jennie, wife of W. H. Gilland, of Abilene, Texas; James, of Grady county, Oklahoma; Dave, of this sketch, and Emma, wife of Press McFarland, of Baird, Texas.

In Texas, on the very fringe of civilization, one hundred and fifty miles from a railroad, and from the source of domestic supplies, was the place where, and the condition in which, Dave Hill was brought up. There both the opportunity and means for obtaining an education were lacking, yet he received a good common school education. In assisting his brother, E. C., he acquired a good knowledge of stock-raising, and remained on the ranges of western Texas until 1888. In that year, while in the employ of Mays and Hagden, Mr. Hill came to the Cherokee Nation with two thousand head of cattle, bound for Chateau, and being rushed into the country to head off new government quarantine regulations, which took effect at midnight of a fixed date. The cattle being unloaded at Gibson Station in the Creek Nation, he superintended the driving of them to their place of destination, thirty miles away, and subsequently had charge of them for several months, holding them on Brushy creek. The following seven years, Mr. Hill was in the employ of Mr. Hayden, a ranchman, having his ranch headquarters at Choteau. While in that country he was brought in contact with people of all classes and conditions, the rough and lawless element of society as well as with those more peacefully and industriously inclined, among the number being the Daltons, Bill Doolan, Henry Starr, and others of lesser notoriety. On one occasion, Mr. Hill and a companion were approaching two of these desperadoes, and was warned and motioned to change his course in order to avoid them, but not understanding the warnings in season to turn about, his horse was struck by a rifle shot from one of the outlaws. Hurrying to a vantage point, the two cowboys waited until the highwaymen came into view, when a Winchester in Mr. Hill's hand, and a pistol in the hand of his companion, inflicted like wounds on the mounts of the robbers.

Prudent and economical, Mr. Hill accumulated quite a fund of money while in the Cherokee Nation, and in 1896 embarked in the cattle business on his own account. He located on the Canadian river, in the Choctaw Nation, and alternated between there and Checotah until 1900, when he moved his constantly increasing herd to Winter's creek, finally going from there to Bitter creek, his bunch then aggregating several hundred head of cattle. Mr. Hill has a lease, near his allotment, of seven thousand acres of land, and this, with his thousand-acre farm in the Washita valley, and his individual allotment, just west of Chickasha, and a few of minor interest in the vicinity of the county-seat, furnish him with ample diversion and employment. For many years, Mr. Hill has been an extensive feeder, and has marketed some of the choicest steers ever sent from the Washita country.

On April 29, 1896, Mr. Hill married Nellie Morgan, of Canadian, a daughter of Frank and Emma [Cochran] Morgan. Her mother was a Choctaw, and the union gave Mr. Hill citizenship in the Choctaw Nation. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hill six children have been born, namely: "J. B.," Harry F., Mabel Lucile, Houston E., Wynema and Almeta. In 1907, Mr. Hill erected his beautiful home on his individual allotment west of Chickasha, it being situated upon an eminence at the country end of Iowa avenue. This fourteen room mansion is equipped with every modern appliance and convenience, with. Hardwood finish on the first floor, a soft-water cistern having capacity of fourteen hundred barrels. hot water radiators in every room, billiard apartments in the attic, while the whole house, and the barn, are lighted with electricity, the buildings, with their surroundings, constituting the most elaborate and most costly outlay for a rural home to be found in Grady county.

Mr. Hill's notable achievements in the affairs of business at so early an age, and, practically, in a dozen years, render him a man of mark, the wonder and admiration alike of his friends, whose name is legion, his popularity as a man and a citizen being bounded only by the extent of his acquaintance. His hospitality, sincere and unreserved, is un1imited, friend and stranger being welcomed at his gate, and his assistance is ever cheerfully given to the needy or afflicted.