History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF DETROIT

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ment and ever ready to aid those "in any ways afflicted, or distressed,
in mind, body or estate." His private charities and benevolences were
extended with kindliness and entire lack of ostentation and he was indeed one of those noble spirits who would ''do good by stealth and
blush to find it fame." He "remembered those who were forgotten,"
and many a poor family had cause to bless him for generous aid. He
ordered his life on the highest plane of integrity and honor and gave to
the service of the world the powers of broad intellectuality and inviolable integrity, so that he left the heritage of a good name,-to be valued
above all others.
Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Mary Baldwin Bacon, daughter of Dr. Alvan Bacon, of Scarborough, Maine, who was born July 6,
1808, and whose death occurred in 1889. He himself attained to the
age of sixty-one years and six months and was summoned to eternal rest
on the 6th of January, 1867, secure in the lasting regard of all who
had come within the sphere of his gracious influence. His cherished
and devoted wife was a woman of most attractive personality and her
memory is revered in the city that was so long her home and in whose
social circles she was a popular figure. Mr. and Mrs. Hill became the
parents of two children,-George B., of whom more specific mention
is made in later paragraphs, and Miss Sarah Bacon Hill, who still resides in the beautiful old homestead erected by her father many years
ago, at 605 Jefferson avenue. His father, Warren Hill, erected, in
1845, a four-story brick business block on Woodward avenue, between
Fort and Congress streets, and the same was for many years one of
the most imposing business structures in the city.
George Bacon Hill, the only son of Rodney D. Hill, was born in Detroit, on the 24th of July, 1842, and here he passed his entire life, his
death having occurred on the 17th of May, 1894, and his remains being
laid to rest in beautiful Elmwood cemetery, beside those of his honored parents. He received excellent educational advantages and became one of the essentially representative business men of his native
city, where he admirably upheld the prestige and honors of the family
name. He was the founder of the Michigan Bolt & Nut Works, whose
plant was established in the suburb of Hamtramck, and he was the
president and principal stockholder of this important industrial corporation at the time of his death, besides which he was an interested
principal in other leading enterprises in his home city, where he ever
commanded secure place in popular confidence and esteem. He twice
served as president of the Detroit Boat Club and was identified with
other representative social organizations. In politics he was aligned as
a staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and, like
his parents and his only sister, he held earnestly to the faith of the
Protestant Episcopal church, in which he was a prominent and zealous
member of the parish of Christ Church. From a tribute paid in a
local paper at the time of the death of Mr. Hill are taken, with slight
paraphrase, the following extracts:
"Mr. Hill was born and reared in Detroit and he always cherished
a sincere and enthusiastic attachment for his native city. Here he
lived and pursued a very active and successful business career until
impaired health compelled him to retire. He had a rare faculty for
business and added to this a persistent and unyielding determination in
the prosecution of all undertakings. Such qualities could not fail of
success. He was a most genial and loyal companion and friend and
endeared himself to all of his large circle of acquaintances. In his
church relations he was a most useful and generous Christian gentleman, and as a citizen he was conscientious and public-spirited. In all