Source: History of Boone County, Indiana, by Hon. L.M. Crist, 1914.

WILLIAM L. HILL Never before has there been so much interest taken in the best
methods of farming and in the conditions of rural homes. The struggle to bring country
life from the present to ideal conditions is not an easy one, nor will it be speedily
accomplished. Yet there are now farms and rural homes which may be taken as models
worth imitating, such as that of William L. Hill, near Thorntown, Boone county, where he
maintains a model dairy and truck farm. In different localities the spirit of better things
manifests itself in different ways. Sometimes it takes the form of increasing the fertility of
the soil; at other places there is a demand for good roads; it is shown in the desire to keep
better live stock, to have more attractive farmyard surroundings or to grow larger crops. It
is shown in rural improvement clubs, in home economic organizations, in the consolidation
of rural schools, in labor-saving appliances in the home, in making the home attractive and
in a general belief that farmers are entitled to as pleasant surroundings as anyone else, and
that a richer, fuller life may be better developed in the country than in any other place in
the world. One would be compelled to hunt far and wide to find a more up-to-date
farming community than right here in Boone county and it is not every day that one meets
a man of such progressive taste as the gentleman whose life record is briefly given in the
following paragraphs.

Mr. Hill was born in Sugar Creek township, Boone county, November 15, 1862. He is a
son of Joseph and Amy (Kendall) Hill, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of
North Carolina. They came to Boone county, Indiana, when young and here they were
married in 1840, and settled southwest of Thorntown, where they became owners of
valuable land to the extent of six hundred and forty acres and were among the leading and
influential citizens of the western part of the county. They sold their farm in 1864 and
moved to Thorntown where they bought property, later purchased another farm in Sugar
Creek township and moved thereon, continuing general farming five years, then sold out
and returned to Thorntown where the elder Hill went into the hardware business, in which
he remained over two years, then sold out and retired, having accumulated a handsome
competency through his industry and able management. His death occurred in 1887, his
widow surviving until in February, 1904.

The following children were born to Joseph Hill and wife: John J., of Long Beach,
California; Martha J., who married Jerry Rosenbarger, is deceased; Elizabeth is the wife of
William P. Jester, of Colorado; Emily is the wife of Elwood Mills, of Riverside, California;
Aseneth is the wife of Frank Benford, of Riverside, California; and William L., of this
sketch, who is the youngest.

William L. Hill grew up on the home farm and resided with his parents until his
marriage July 6, 1887 to Hettie Heaton, who was born in Decatur county, Indiana, but
early in life moved to Clinton county, and there she grew to womanhood and received a
good common school education. Mr. Hill was educated in private and public schools in
Thorntown. Mrs. Hill is the daughter of John and Emma (Colby) Heaton, a well-known
family of Clinton and Boone counties, Indiana.

After his marriage Mr. Hill lived a year in Thorntown, farming near here, then
moved to Clinton county, this state where he remained a year then returned to Sugar Creek
township, Boone county, on a farm consisting of thirty-one acres just west of Thorntown,
which he purchased, and here he has since resided, successfully engaged in dairying and
general gardening, being well equipped for both and is making a comfortable living, finding
a very ready market for his products owing to their superior qualities. Everything about his
place is kept in ship-shape, sanitary, attractive and convenient. He keeps a fine grade of
cows and has a cozy home and well arranged outbuildings

Politically, Mr. Hill is a Prohibitionist and is very pronounced in his views against the liquor
traffic. He was born in the Quaker faith from which he has not departed.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill, named as follows: Jesse, Stella, John
and Joseph are twins; Frank and Velva. They are all at home with their parents.

BENFORD COLBY HEATON HILL JESTER KENDALL MILLS ROSENBARGER

Submitted by Amy K Davis