JOHN HILLHOUSE

Sacramento County

Biographies

JOHN HILLHOUSE

JOHN HILLHOUSE.--Modern agriculture requires for its development an efficiency and thorough understanding which amount almost to a science. The truth of this statement is forcibly illustrated in the career of John Hillhouse, manager of the Hillhouse orchard ranch at Fair Oaks, which formerly produced an income of less than $600 per annum, but now, owing to his systematic and intelligently directed efforts, has become one of the finest and best-paying properties in this favored region.

Mr. Hillhouse was born at Mineral Point, Wis., February 6, 1849, a son of the late John and Jane (Jackson) Hillhouse, the former a native of Scotland. In 1849 the father came to California. Leaving his family in the East, he crossed the plains with ox-teams and wagon, arriving at White Rock, Eldorado County, six months later. He embarked in general merchandising at Slug Gulch, where he also opened a hotel, and was joined by his family in 1852. Mr. Hillhouse was very successful in both ventures, but owing to his easy-going methods and implicit trust in those with whom he dealt, his affairs became badly involved, so that at his death his widow was left with very limited means. A large number of miners had purchased merchandise at the store for which they had never paid, and the outstanding accounts amounted to about $8,000. Mrs. Hillhouse started out on horseback to collect this sum, but was unsuccessful, returning after many days with but a few dollars, all that was ever realized from the estate; and so the mother found it a difficult task to care for herself and her two sons. In 1872 she removed with her children to Brownsville, and later became a resident of Sacramento, where she continued to live until her demise in 1892, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. She was devoted to the welfare of her family, and her admirable traits of character won for her the high regard of many friends. The public schools at Indian Diggings afforded John Hillhouse his educational privileges, and following the removal of the family to Brownsville he there engaged in placer and quartz mining. After following mining for some years he decided to take up a trade, and for some time worked as a moulder in the Sutter Creek Foundry, under Frank Tibbetts. In 1875 he made his way to Sacramento and secured employment in the shops of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, working under A. J. Stevens, master mechanic. His fidelity and ability won him promotion to the position of assistant foreman of the car-wheel foundry, which he filled until 1903, when he tendered his resignation. As a testimonial of their esteem the men at the shops presented Mr. Hillhouse with a fine watch and charm, and in accepting the gift he said in part : "Thank-you. I now lay down the wheels of transit and take with me the wheels of time."

Since severing his connection with the Southern Pacific, Mr. Hillhouse has given his entire time to the management of the twenty-acre orchard of which his wife is owner. It is situated on Sunset Avenue, in Fair Oaks, and was originally a portion of the Vehmieyer estate of eighty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Hillhouse occupy that part of the property on which stood the home, and theirs is regarded as one of the show places of this section of the Valley. Lemon trees have been replaced by prunes and almonds, and by hard work and careful study of the state and county horiticultural journals, Mr. Hillhouse has transformed the tract into a most desirable and valuable property.

In 1872 Mr. Hillhouse returned to Wisconsin and was there married to Miss Martha Jacka, a native of Wisconsin, born January 6, 1851. She passed away at Sacramento in 1896, leaving the following children: John, who is city clerk at Healdsburg, Sonoma County; Mrs. Mable A. Greenlaw, of Spreckels, Monterey County; Martha, now deceased; Mrs. Ada J. Vincent, of Alpaugh, Tulare County; Frank, also deceased, who followed a seafaring life for twenty years; Mrs. Myrtle I. Howiey, of Klamath Falls, Ore.; and Clarence, manager of the Sixth Avenue branch of the Mercantile Trust Company of California in San Francisco. There are also seven grandchildren. For his second wife Mr. Hillhouse chose Mrs. Martha J. (McGee) Williams, whom he married at Sacramento on the 4th of August, 1897. She was born near Independence, Mo., January 13, 1851, and her parents were John F. and Elizabeth Margaret (Shelton) McGee. The father was born in Missouri in 1823, and the mother's birth occurred in Tennessee in 1828. They crossed the plains with ox-teams and wagons in 1853, and after reaching California, established their home at Beal's Bar, near Folsom. They had many head of stock and supplied the miners with milk in the early days. Later the father also engaged in mining at Beal's Bar. Mr. and Mrs. McGee had a family of six children, of whom Martha J. was the eldest. In 1868, at Placerville, Cal., she was married to John R. Williams, the ceremony being performed by Rev. C. C. Pierce. Mr. Williams was a native of North Carolina, and in 1866 came to the Golden State, where he became interested in mining operations. He passed away in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were the parents of five children: Edwin A., of San Francisco; Mrs. Laura W. McKenzie, of Chico, Cal.; Luella, the widow of J. A. Wilson and a resident of Sacramento; Mattie V., the wife of E. C. Phoenix of Fair Oaks; and Mrs. Mable Dorman of Sacramento.

Mr. and Mrs. Hillhouse are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their deep interest in the welfare of their fellowmen has found expression in practical benevolent work, and Mrs. Hillhouse recently gave a large subscription to the College of the Pacific, thus aiding in promoting the educational advancement of her state. She has always taken an active part in temperance work, as did also her mother before her. She owns real estate in Sacramento, in addition to her Fair Oaks ranch, and is loyal to the interests of her community, county, and commonwealth. Mr. Hillhouse is a Republican in his political views, but is not bound by the narrow ties of partisanship, supporting the candidate whom he regards as best qualified for office when local issues are at stake. He is identified with Sutter Creek Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined on the 28th of April, 1875, and is numbered among its oldest and most valued members. He brings to his horticultural pursuits an intelligent, open and liberal mind and a keen interest in modern agricultural development, and combines in his character all of the qualities of a useful and desirable citizen.

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 305-306. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.