Charles Gideon Hill

The life record of Charles Gideon Hill constitutes an illustration of what the new world has to offer to ambitious young men. Coming to Canada as an orphan boy, he steadily worked his way upward, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He became in time a successful merchant of Montreal and in later years devoted his time to the supervision of his invested interests, which included large property holdings and stock in many financial and commercial enterprises. He was seventy-six years of age at the time of his death, which occurred on the 12th of June, 1893, at the old home at No. 247 Bleury Street, where he had lived for more than half a century. He was born in England, but lost his father and mother when quite young, after which he crossed the Atlantic and for a time resided in New York. He afterward came to Montreal and gradually he worked his way upward in a business way, realizing at the outset of his career, that industry and honesty constitute the foundation upon which success is built. In time he was the proprietor of a small dry-goods establishment on St. Paul Street and conducted it successfully for many years, but about 1870, retired from commercial circles in order to supervise his large estate which also included the estate of William Galt. From time to time he became interested in business enterprises, holding stock in many leading financial and commercial concerns. His judgment was sound, his sagacity keen and in the control of important interests he established his position as one of the leading and capable business men of the city.

On the 19th of August, 1840, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J. Galt, a daughter of William Galt, who for many years was one of the leading citizens of Montreal. He engaged in the tanning business near Glasgow, Quebec, and amassed a very considerable fortune. Following his death, Mr. Hill retired from commercial interests to supervise the Galt estate. To Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born eleven children, eight of whom reached adult age. These children were: William Galt, deceased; Charles G., who also has passed away; Margaret Ewing, the widow of G. M. Patterson, residing in Cleveland, Ohio; Robert Ewing, deceased; Adelaide, who married Samuel P. Wigg and resides in Lakefield, Ontario; Lewis E., deceased; Helena Augusta, residing in Montreal; Jean Elizabeth, now Mrs. E. A. Hilton; Peter Alexander; Emma Louise, who married Albert A. Adams and is deceased; and Dr. Adolphus James Hill, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hill devoted the greatest care to rearing their large family and bestowed upon the children their tenderest love. Those who grew to adult’s estate were an honor to the family name and in full measure repaid the care of the parents, whom they ever held in reverent memory. It is due to the kind cooperation of Miss Helena A. Hill,—and to her the publishers are indebted,—that they are able to present herewith the excellent steel etchings portraying her parents.

Mr. Hill attended services and held a pew in the First Baptist church and also in the Church of England, in the Cathedral. His membership was in the latter and his wife, who died in 1882, was a member of the former. Both were greatly esteemed and an extensive circle of friends indicated their worth and the high regard in which they were held.