Photo contributed by Jody Kriegler
John F. Hill
Ashland Daily Press, June 6, 1974
Contributed by Jody Kriegler
Mrs. Sadie Hill, 84, who resides at the Ashland Nursing Home, has a "one in a million" story to share. Her father-in-law carried the famous eagle mascot "Old Abe" in the Civil War. Her two sons and a nephew served in World War II. And this June her grandson will graduate from West Point.
Older Ashlanders remember John F. Hill of Civil War fame. For a time he and his wife lived in Ashland, and he marched in some of Ashland's earlier 4th of July celebrations. He also lived on a homestead between Iron River and Port Wing for some years, and there is still a Johnny Hill Creek in that area.
John F. Hill was a friend of Commander C. L. Judd and the other G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic) veterans of the Ashland post, and on one occasion was with Commander Judd during a patriotic celebration when part of the Commercial dock at the foot of Ellis Avenue collapsed, throwing Commander Judd into the water. Though Judd was about 90 at the time, he suffered no ill effects.
There is now a great-great-grandson of the late Civil War Veteran John F. Hill. The great-great grandson of the man who carried the Eagle in the Civil War is Jonathon J. Hill, Minneapolis, named after Civil War Veteran John Hill. The parents of the great-great-grandson are Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hill, Minneapolis. Jonathon is their first child, born November 30, 1973. The baby is also the first grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Hill, St. Louis Park, Minn., and of Mr. and Mrs. Everett S. Anderson, Bloomington, Minn. The great-grandparents are Mrs. Sadie Hill of Ashland, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Ostlund, Brandon, Minn., and Mrs. Hannah Anderson Minneapolis.
Mrs. Sadie Hill, Ashland, daughter-in-law of Civil War Comrade John F. Hill, is a daughter of the pioneer shoe store proprietor Bert Olson of Ashland. She is also a one-time teacher at the Beaser and Ellis Schools. She married William Harrison Hill, son of Civil War Comrade John F. Hill. Her husband was a saw filer for the lumber mills here. Mrs. Hill's three children are Robert, who travels for the Lackawanna Railroad; William, who is in the printing business at Minneapolis; and Helen, now Mrs. Jerome Wimberly, of Jackson, Wyoming. It is the Wimberly's son Jim who will graduate from West Point Military Academy in June.
Steve Brace, active in Northland College affairs since his student days, and now retired and living at Cornucopia, is a nephew of Mrs. Sadie Hill and grandson of Civil War Veteran John F. Hill. His mother was a sister of Mrs. Hill's late husband, and his wife is the former Dorothy Hitchcock, daughter of the beloved long-time dean of Northland College. Both of Mrs. Hill's sons, her son-in-law, and Steve Brace, her nephew, are World War II veterans.
With the graduation of the son of Mrs. Hill's daughter, Helen from West Point, there will be three generations of service men in the family headed by the custodian of the Civil War Eagle mascot. The parents of the West Point graduate, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome (Helen Hill) Wimberly, live at Jackson, Wyoming, where Mr. Wimberly is superintendent of schools and she is a commercial teacher.
For some years John F. Hill, custodian of the famous war eagle.'Old Abe' lived on Third Street East near Prentice Avenue in Ashland. For several years, the Hills brought up a grandson here, Steve Brace, whose mother had passed away. Steve grew up to become a Northland College football, basketball and baseball star of the 1920's, graduating in 1929. After a lifetime as a Y.M.C.A. executive, Steve and his wife, the former Dorothy Hitchcock, daughter of the late Dean Hitchcock of Northland, are living at Cornucopia. Steve supplied the pictures of John F. Hill and the eagle "Old Abe" which appear with this article. It was while Civil War Veteran John F. Hill was residing in Ashland that he made frequent appearances in Ashland's Fourth of July parades.
The fascinating story of John F. Hill and his Eagle mascot in the Civil War is told in an invaluable book, "Upper Lake Region", loaned to the Daily Press by Elmer Roethig, retired Soo Line agent here. Published in 1905, almost 70 years ago, here is the story:
John F. Hill, one of the leading business men of northern Wisconsin, is also one of the pioneers, coming here in the fall of 1856, and settling at Eau Claire, when he was a boy of eleven years. Mr. Hill was born April 25, 1845, in Milltown, Maine, a son of John and Ann (Britton) Hill, the former of whom was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1816 and died from wounds received during the Civil War, at Cold Harbor, in June 1864, aged 47 years. His wife was born in England, but was reared in Ireland and they married at Madagdavia, N.B. For 36 years of his life, John Hill was a sea-faring man, having run away from home at the age of ten. In 1855 he came to Menomonie, Wis., was joined by his family in the following year, and three years later they settled at Eau Claire. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. K, 36th W.V.I., and saw hard service in the army of the Potomac, his life ending as related above. It had been one of many adventures.
John F. Hill was, as noted, a boy of tender years when his family came to Eau Claire, and his education was obtained in the public schools. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. C., 8th W.V.I., a regiment, which is called as the "Eagle" regiment and one, which gained applause for its gallant members. After being mustered in as a private, he was sent to the army of the Tennessee, and participated in 36 battles of the war, beginning at Frederickstown, Mo., near Pilot Knob which was succeeded by: Pittsburgh Landing, Farmington, Miss., both...(unreadable). Tupeleo and many engagements in that vicinity. At the second battle of Corinth, he was shot through his body by a minie ball and was two months in the hospital. In 1864, his regiment was in the Vicksburg campaign and took part in the many battles in that vicinity; he was at Champion Hills, Black River, and Jackson, Miss., and he aided in the building of the canal constructed by Gen. Grant around Vicksburg. From there the regiment went to join Gen. Banks on the Red River expedition, in the meantime fighting its way. It was a part of the 16th army corps and was commanded by Gen. A. J. Smith.
No record of the brilliant achievements of the 8th Wisconsin would be complete without reference to 'Old Abe', the famous eagle and the mascot of the regiment. 'Old Abe' was captured in 1861 by a Chippewa Indian named Ogema-bejessie, meaning Chief of the Sky, who traded the eagle to Daniel McCann for a half bushel of corn. Its new owner took the eagle to Eau Claire where it was bought by a citizen, Miles Jeffers, who after some negotiations presented the noble bird to Co. C., 8th Wisconsin. After the war this then noted emblem of our country was presented to the State of Wisconsin. Mr. Hill was detailed as eagle bearer for a part of the time he was in the service, a position of honor and one that was by no means a sinecure. Mr. Hill was, years after, given honorable recognition for the care he had taken of the bird, which was so beloved in the regiment and which aroused its enthusiasm in every battle, by being appointed in 1876 by Gov. Luddington to carry 'Old Abe' to the Centennial at Philadelphia, where both it and its bearer were objects of the greatest interest. 'Old Abe' perished at the burning of the Capitol at Madison, but some good photographs of him are carefully preserved by Mr. Hill. During an imprisonment Mr. Hill overheard Confederate soldiers say that they would rather capture 'Old Abe' than to take a brigade, so inspiring were the intelligent actions of the bird. During battle he would perch on the colors and his screams of delight would so enthuse the soldiers that no force could withstand them. Many stories of 'Old Abe' have appeared in print, but one of these Mr. Hill declares untrue. He did not leave his friends at any time to fly over the field, seeming to understand that he was the private property of Company C. He took part in every battle of the regiment.
Permission was given the eagle-bearer by General Sherman to forage for its food, and as the bird had a preference for chicken and fresh beef, those were the dainties most sought for and if, on some few occasions, the chickens captured for 'Old Abe' figured in the Company C 'mess', there was no one to find fault. In this connection Mr. Hill recalls one occasion when he had been particularly successful in foraging for his charge, and was halted by the guard for bringing in a string of chickens. The guard took him before Gen. Banks, who at first threatened arrest, but gave way before the permit shown from Gen. Sherman.
After Mr. Hill was wounded at Corinth, he was left unattended for three days on the battlefield, ignored by the Confederate surgeons who said he would die anyhow. He actually managed to crawl the six miles to the Tombigbee River and finally reached the Union lines, giving his commander a big surprise as he had supposed him dead. It must be recalled that Mr. Hill's wound had penetrated through his body, and when it is stated that he submitted to having it probed and dressed, a silk handkerchief being drawn entirely through, with no administration of chloroform, the reader can appreciate what at least one of the brave survivors of those dreadful days suffered in defense of this country. All honor to that noble, valiant, band which, alas, is yearly growing smaller and smaller. When the last one has fought his last battle, there will have passed away a body of men who fought for principal and home, not for plunder.
After his honorable discharge in 1865, at Madison, Wis. Mr. Hill settled in Eau Claire and followed logging for a number of years. In 1891, he removed to Bayfield County and took up a homestead near Iron River, on which he resided for 10 years. His claim there was, with others, contested and is still a matter of litigation. In 1901, he came to Island Lake where he built a comfortable home, and here he and his wife are enjoying the ease of retired life. With the exception of an affliction of the ears, Mr. Hill is in remarkable health, considering the nature of his wound. The Government rewards him as far as possible, by a pension of $25 a month.
In 1871 Mr. Hill was united in marriage with Ella Gates, and they had five children: Lenard F., Rosa A., Mabel M., William H., and Frederick A.
In 1876 where in Philadelphia, Mr. Hill joined Post No. 2 of the G.A.R. at 13th and Soring Garden Streets, an association which has given him, much pleasure. He has had noble company in this post Gen. Philip Sheridan and other eminent commanders being members and not the least important name of the roster is that of 'Old Abe', although we are not prepared to testify that he wrote the same himself. Mr. Hill has had a long and useful life, filled with what the world terms adventures but he has taken them just as they came, all a part of 'a day's work', the natural result of duty followed and its claims fulfilled. He occupies a place in public esteem and is respected and beloved in the community and, in domestic life.
Photo contributed by Jody Kriegler
Old Abe Main Page
The McCann Family
My Elusive Ancestors
Chippewa County
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